# US 7,881,898 B2 · Priority system and method for processing standardized tests > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,881,898 B2 - Document ID: US7881898B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/168,648 - Filed: 2008-07-07 - Published: 2009-01-08 - Granted: 2011-02-01 - Earliest claimed: 2002-05-21 - Assignees: Data Recognition Corporation - Inventors: Mark Gedlinske; Doyle Kirkeby; Michelle Edenborg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7881898B2 ## CPC - G09B 7/02: of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student - G09B 7/00: Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers (mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F) - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing the processing of standardized tests. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for processing completed standardized tests. In one embodiment, test-processing priority information is received, and is associated with machine-readable identifiers for standardized tests. Completed standardized tests are received, and are identified by reading machine-readable identifiers. The identified standardized tests are processed according to the associated test-processing priority information such that higher priority tests are automatically processed before lower priority tests. Other aspects are provided herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for processing completed standardized tests, comprising: identifying the completed standardized tests using a machine-readable identifier for the standardized tests; associating the machine-readable identifiers for the completed standardized tests with priority information; using a processor for processing the completed standardized tests according to the priority information, and for dynamically updating the priority information before the processing has been completed; and continuing the processing of the completed standardized tests using the dynamically updated priority information. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the standardized test processing occurs at a test processing center; associating machine-readable identifiers includes associating machine-readable identifiers with external time constraints that are determined outside of the test processing center; and processing the completed standardized tests includes processing the completed standardized tests according to the external time constraints. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein: associating machine-readable identifiers with external time constraints include associating machine-readable identifiers with requirements for a test project provided by a customer; and processing the completed standardized tests includes processing the completed standardized tests according to the requirements for the test project provided by the customer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein: associating machine-readable identifiers includes associating machine-readable identifiers with a school district; and processing the completed standardized tests includes processing the completed standardized tests to prioritize processing for the school district. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein: associating machine-readable includes associating machine-readable identifiers with a school; and processing the completed standardized tests includes processing the completed standardized tests to prioritize processing for the school. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein: associating machine-readable identifiers includes associating machine-readable identifiers with a school grade; and processing the completed standardized tests includes processing the completed standardized tests to prioritize processing for the school grade. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein: associating machine-readable identifiers includes associating machine-readable identifiers with a test subject; and processing the completed standardized tests includes processing the completed standardized tests to prioritize processing for the test subject. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein: associating machine-readable identifiers includes associating machine-readable identifiers with a test item; and processing the completed standardized tests includes processing the completed standardized tests to prioritize processing for the test item. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the standardized test processing occurs at a test processing center; associating machine-readable identifiers includes associating machine-readable identifiers with internal time constraints for the test processing center; and processing the completed standardized tests includes processing the completed standardized tests according to the internal time constraints. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising applying an internal rule to increase priority for a second reading of a test item. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically updating the priority information includes: receiving feedback from a downstream process; and adjusting priority for certain standardized tests identified by the machine-readable identifiers based on the feedback from the downstream process. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically updating the priority information includes automatically prioritizing in response to a start command. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically updating the priority information includes automatically prioritizing at predetermined times. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically updating the priority information includes automatically prioritizing at periodic intervals. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically updating the priority information includes automatically modifying priority information for the machine readable identifiers when new information is received. ### Claim 16 A method for processing completed standardized tests, comprising: identifying the completed standardized tests using a machine-readable identifier for the standardized tests; receiving feedback from a downstream process concerning efficiency of the downstream process; and using a processor for prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests based on the feedback from the downstream process to improve efficiency of the downstream process. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein: receiving feedback includes receiving an indication to prioritize the processing of certain standardized tests to adjust workflow to some readers; and prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests includes adjusting workflow to some readers to improve efficiency. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests includes increasing a priority for processing certain boxes to increase workflow to some readers. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests includes increasing a priority for processing certain test booklets to increase workflow to some readers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests includes increasing a priority for processing certain test items to increase workflow to some readers. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests includes automatically prioritizing in response to a start command. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests includes automatically prioritizing at predetermined times. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests includes automatically prioritizing at periodic intervals. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests includes automatically modifying priority information for the machine readable identifiers when new information is received. ### Claim 25 A method for processing completed standardized tests at a test processing center, comprising: identifying the completed standardized tests using a machine-readable identifier for the standardized tests; associating the machine-readable identifiers for the completed standardized tests with both external time constraints that are determined outside of the test processing center and internal time constraints for the test processing center; using a processor for processing the completed standardized tests according to the priority information and for dynamically updating the priority information before the processing has been completed; and continuing the processing of the completed standardized tests using the dynamically updated priority information. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the external time constraints include requirements for a test project provided by a customer. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein dynamically updating the priority information before the processing has been completed includes: receiving feedback from a downstream process concerning efficiency of the downstream process; and prioritizing processing for some of the identified standardized tests based on the feedback from the downstream process to improve efficiency of the downstream process.