Tests are a large portion of college classes.

In the past, professors had to grade each test by hand. Results would be returned to students weeks later.

Tests are now graded much quicker in Academic Assessment and Testing located in 9th Street Hall.

The office provides scanning services for all Scantron tests. The office has two OpScan Scanners, and is the only other office that has a scanner is the Lumpkin School of Business according Debra Hopgood, assistant director of Academic Assessment and Testing.

Toni Smith, director of admission for the School of Business, said many people from that department still use the scanners in their assessment office.

The office also gets the scores of faculty and course evaluations. These evaluations are then picked up by the department chairs, who then decide what to do with the information.

The office assists faculty and graduate students by scanning surveys as well.

“It is a vital part of the campus,” Hopgood said.

Hopgood said the office provides services for both faculty and students. With the scanners, Scantron tests are graded quicker, which results in a more rapid return to the students. This in turn gives the students a chance to review what they did wrong and correct it sooner.

The office also provides statistical data for the professor. This helps the professor to compare how the students performed and how many of each grade was received.

Hopgood said the scanners can also provide longitudinal data that will help the professors to compare how their classes are progressing over time.

For faculty and course evaluations, it gives administration and faculty a view at how courses or faculty are progressing and the students’ views about the courses and faculty.

The office receives its funding from the provost. Vice President of Academic Affairs Blair Lord said five people are currently employed in the office and the total cost of personnel and operations annually is $200,000.

Funding comes from institutionally general funds, which are a combination of state appropriations and tuition.

Lord said it would cost far more to have each department try to do this processing on their own.

“Centralizing this function allows us, however, to realize the significant economies of scale,” he said.

The exam scoring services faculty guide states the standard processing time for exams under normal conditions is three hours. When submitting requests for grading, professors are asked to leave contact information so the office can contact them when the tests are ready.

The office also has a staff to help professors with any questions or problems.