"Nature Trails" Logo
Feedback
Feedback
Media Technology | 
7min Read time
last updated September 2026

Designing Efficient Examinations with Scanner-Based Exams

With the examination software EvaExam, scanner-based exams can be efficiently created on a computer and partially get marked automatically after the examination. This saves time during what is often an already hectic examination phase. In this article, we present the advantages of using scanner-based exams to assess students.

Exam Software
Published on 11. July 2024
Share article
Share:

What are the advantages of scanner-based exams?

The entire process – from developing an exam to grading it – can be made (more) time-efficient, for example through question pools, the partially automated grading of examination questions or the automatic compilation of a data overview containing student ID numbers, credits and grades. The grading effort for exams, as well as errors in the process, are minimized, for example through the automat–ed marking and addition of points to calculate the total score. The quality of questions and responses can be better analyzed and optimized using the statistical indicators item difficulty and item discrimination or by examining the frequency distribution of the answers selected for each question.

Which software can I use?

Before deciding on an examination format, it is important to clearly define the learning outcome of the course or module. Based on this, a proficiency level model or criteria matrix is drawn up. You can then determine what a suitable examination format would look like. For digital examination formats, the two electronic examination systems EvaExam and ILU-EA are suitable. Access to EvaExam is provided via the manufacturer’ website and must be accessed from the university’s network or via VPN. After logging in, you can find instructions in the Extras section of the EvaExam software under Help. In the Info section, you can download the user manual.

EvaExam and ILU-EA in comparison

EvaExamILU-EA
Software maintenance and customizationBy evasys GmbHBy Campus IT of TH Köln
Operation and data storageOn servers operated by Campus IT at TH KölnOn servers operated by Campus IT at TH Köln
Exam creationIn a web browser, accessed from the university’s networkIn a web browser
Question typesSingle Choice, Multiple Choice, Kprim Choice, Matching Question, True/False Question, Open-Ended Question, Segmented Open-Ended Question, Hotspot QuestionTest object: Single Choice, Multiple Choice, Kprim Choice, Horizontal and Vertical Ordering Question, Matching Question, Hotspot/Imagemap, Error Text, Text Subset Question, Cloze Question, Formula Question, Numeric Question, Essay Question, File Upload Question; Exercise object
SettingsQuestions and answers can be randomized (individual questions can be fixed); points awarded per question or answer; no restriction on the number of answers that can be selected in multiple-choice questionsQuestions and answers can be randomized (individual questions cannot be fixed); points awarded per question or answer; number of answers that can be selected in multiple-choice questions can be restricted
Design of the examination viewCustomizable examination view; design using various elements such as question groups, dividing lines, texts and imagesExamination view can hardly be customized; questions can be designed using elements such as texts and images
Examination conductionPrinted on paperIn a web browser (completion of Test Objects, upload for Exercise Objects)
Examination gradingPartially automated in the web browser, accessed from the university’s network; open-ended questions can be marked directly on the exam sheet, using the answers captured automatically by the scanner (in some cases) or using answers entered manually into the softwarePartially automated in a web browser; open questions can be assessed manually using the software
Suitable examination formatsScanner-based exam (under supervision)E-exam (under supervision), other written (remote) examination formats such as term papers, open-book assignments

Step by Step

Please remember to test the procedure for conducting a scanner-based exam and practice how to tick the boxes to correctly enter student ID numbers and answers with your students! To do so, please provide students with the following information in German or English.

  • If you do not yet have an examiner account in EvaExam, ask the administrator responsible for your faculty’s department (see list below) to create one for you. The department administrators can assist you with questions regarding scanner-based exams and EvaExam. In the event of malfunctions or error messages, please contact Campus IT Service Desk.
  • Create an examination sheet with questions in the software.
  • Create a specific examination from this examination sheet and the questions it contains.
  • Print the examination sheet in the required quantity. Do not copy it, as this may cause errors when scanning the sheets after the examination!
  • Conduct your examination.
  • Scan the completed examination sheets at a scanning station. You can find an overview of their locations below.
  • Have EvaExam verify any selections on the examination sheets that were automatically identified as uncertain.
  • Manually award points for any open-ended questions in the exam using the software.

Any questions?

Feel free to contact us by mail to lehrpfade@th-koeln.de!

Additional information

  • Faculty of Applied Social Sciences (F01): Bernhard Wilmes
  • Faculty of Cultural Sciences (F02): vacant
  • Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences (F03): vacant
  • Faculty of Business and Law (F04): Ursula Binder
  • Faculty of Architecture (F05): vacant
  • Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology (F06): Isabelle Dembach
  • Faculty of Information, Media and Electrical Engineering (F07): vacant
  • Faculty of Automotive Systems and Production (F08): Daniela Weigmann
  • Faculty of Plant, Energy and Mechanical Systems (F09): Andreas Josef Kaluza
  • Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering Science (F10): Albert Hamidullin
  • Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences (F11): Dirk Burdinski
  • Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems (F12): vacant
LocationRoomContact personFaculties using the station
IWZHO-02-107Daniela Weigmann, Jochen BlaurockFaculty of Information, Media and Electrical Engineering (F07), Faculty of Automotive Systems and Production (F08), Faculty of Plant, Energy and Mechanical Systems (F09)
IWZ-Old BuildingRoom 212cIsabelle Dembach, Dieter HerbeckFaculty of Architecture (F05) / Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology (F06)
U48Room 34.1Bernhard Wilmes, Jürgen SleegersFaculty of Applied Social Sciences (F01) / Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences (F03) (ITMK)
GMRoom 2.236Albert HamidullinFaculty of Computer Science and Engineering Science (F10)
LEVBuilding 28, Room 05Emily KobsFaculty of Applied Natural Sciences (F11)
CL1B1 65A Service Center F04Ronald FrerichFaculty of Information and Communication Sciences (F03) (IIM) / Faculty of Business and Law (F04)

Header image: AI-generated with Adobe Firefly

  • M. A., research assistant at the Center for Academic Development at TH Köln. Responsible for the area of e-assessment. Member of the network Gesellschaft für Medienpädagogik und Kommunikationskultur (GMK). Main areas of work: Coordination, conception, consulting and training in the context of e-examinations, examination didactics and related platforms (ILIAS, EvaExam), coordination of the expert group on simulations and learning games in teaching.

Learn more. Teach better!

You might be interested in this content. Articles and instructions on digital tools and good practice examples with a high didactic effect.

PLANNING
Motivation in teaching
Motivation is crucial for successful teaching and learning. But how can students be inspired to participate actively and independently in challenging learning processes? An effective didactic framework is necessary to encourage lively discussions and avoid passive behaviour. Key aspects include, for example, using a variety of methods, promoting personal responsibility and creating a motivating learning…
Accessible teaching
Accessibility improves your teaching! This fact is often forgotten because the focus is on the presumed additional expense. Besides, there do not seem to be any students affected in your course anyway – so the topic cannot be that important. In fact, you can create accessible conditions more easily than you might think. This will…
Gender diversity in university teaching
As a teacher, how can I create a teaching and learning space where everyone feels comfortable? There is certainly no universal solution to this problem. However, engaging with diverse identities and one’s own stereotypes can dismantle discriminatory structures and unconscious preconceptions. In the following article, you will learn how to ensure gender-sensitive teaching.
AI 101 – An introduction to the world of artificial intelligence
Everybody is talking about artificial intelligence and its applications. We are currently in a phase of exploration. Despite a critical attitude towards AI technologies, they can fuel innovation and open up new scope for action to promote sustainable development as well as social transformation together with students and practice partners. Let’s try to clarify the…
IMPLEMENTATION
Designing Efficient Examinations with Scanner-Based Exams
With the examination software EvaExam, scanner-based exams can be efficiently created on a computer and partially get marked automatically after the examination. This saves time during what is often an already hectic examination phase. In this article, we present the advantages of using scanner-based exams to assess students.
Adobe Express
Create creative content with Adobe Express – from presentations and flyers to videos and social media posts. Adobe Express also includes generative AI tools. We’ll show you how to make the most of Adobe Express’s wide range of features.
Adobe Podcast
Adobe Podcast is an AI-powered web platform for professional audio recording and editing. It is suitable for both beginners and professionals in this field. At the tool’s core is the ‘Studio’, where users can record professional podcasts, directly in their browser – either on their own or with guests joining remotely. With Adobe Podcast, audio…
Gemini Notebook: personalised AI research assistant
Create a personalised knowledge repository with Gemini Notebook. You can ask the research assistant questions about the content via chat and receive answers backed up by direct evidence. In addition, a wide range of AI tools can be used to create all sorts of content – from audio summaries and infographics to reports and flashcards.
REFLECTION
Reflection & Evaluation in COIL Projects
In the final phase of a COIL project, students come together, present, and reflect on their results. They look back on their academic insights as well as the experience of international collaboration, making their joint achievements visible. At the same time, instructors evaluate the project academically, organizationally, and interculturally. This phase is essential for ensuring…
Peer Tutoring – Students Support Students
With peer-to-peer tutoring from students for students, the services of the Writing Center have been expanded to include a particularly low-threshold format. But what exactly is behind it – and how does peer tutoring complement the teaching and learning culture at TH Köln?
How to transfer Good Practices
Didactic design patterns (also known as patterns) document good practices in teaching. They are based on experience gained from teaching practice. The structured form of patterns allows tried and tested solutions to recurring problems to be described and published in an easily understandable way. As a result, they make good practices visible and offer a…
Feedback in teaching
Since John Hattie’s meta-study “Visible Learning” was translated into German in 2013, one topic has become an integral part of the debate about our education system: feedback. But what is feedback and what is not?
EVERYDAY TEACHING
Open thinking, networking, and developing joint solutions at HIP
The University’s Interdisciplinary Project Week is an established digital format for interdisciplinary collaboration beyond faculty and subject boundaries. Students learn to operate in heterogeneous teams and develop an understanding of methods from other disciplines. Their task is to develop a project idea thematically linked to the respective Science Year. The central element is the methodically…
Arrival

TH Köln
Center for Academic Development
Location Köln-Mülheim
Schanzenstraße 28
51063 Köln

Contact

E: lehrpfade@th-koeln.de

Service

Notes on accessibility
About us
Imprint
Privacy Notice
Cookie-Policy
Disclaimer

Translation of web page financed through ADaePT project which was funded by BMBF and supported by DAAD.

CC BY 4.0Unless otherwise stated, the text and graphics on this website are licensed under the Creative Commons license CC BY 4.0.

Center for Academic Development www.th-koeln.de/zle

We appreciate your feedback!

When developing this offer, we tried to include you as a teacher in advance. We would therefore be delighted if you would help us to further improve our offer. Please let us know what you would like, what bothers you or what you particularly like.

Would you like to contact us directly? Then write to us at lehrpfade@th-koeln.de!