Method and system for knowledge assessment using confidence-based measurement

A system for knowledge assessment and encouraging learning, comprising:

• a test terminal for displaying to a test subject a plurality of multiple choice questions and two-dimensional answers thereto;
• an input device for allowing the test subject to select of one or more of the answers, the test terminal adapted to transmit information via a communications network:
• a courseware server adapted to communicate via the communications network
• a electronic database of learning materials, wherein the plurality of multiple choice questions and two-dimensional answers thereto are stored in the database for selected delivery to the test terminal, the system for knowledge assessment further performing a method of,
• transmitting via the communications network to the test terminal the plurality of multiple choice questions and two-dimensional answers thereto, the answers including a plurality of full-confidence answers consisting of single-choice answers, a plurality of partial-confidence answers consisting of sets of multiple single-choice answers, and an unsure answer;
• administering a confidence-based assessment (CBA) test further comprising presenting to the test subject via the test terminal the plurality of multiple choice questions directed to categorical topics, and the two-dimensional answers thereto, and receiving via the test terminal the test subject's selected answer to the multiple choice questions by which the test subject indicates both their substantive answer and the level of confidence category of their answer;
• transmitting via the communications network the test subject's selected answers to the multiple choice questions to the courseware server;
• scoring the CBA test by giving maximum points for correct full-confidence answers, partial points for correct partial-confidence answers, no score for not knowing, and a maximum penalty for wrong answers in any category;
• compiling a knowledge profile from the scored CBA test comprising a graphical illustration arranged with correctness of the answer along a first axis and confidence in the answer along a second axis, with the two dimensional answers plotted thereon and separated into a first area of doubt, a second area of misinformation, a third area of unknown and a fourth area of mastery, the knowledge profile additionally including a scoring profile indicating percentage of answers assigned to each area;
• displaying the knowledge profile to the test subject;
• encouraging remedial learning by the test subject by, in association with displaying the knowledge profile to the subject, also displaying all of the multiple choice questions to the subject along with the subject's answer, a correct answer, an explanation, and references to related learning materials for the questions;
• re-administering the confidence-based assessment (CBA) test with a plurality of different multiple choice questions related to the categorical topics;
• scoring the re-administered CBA test by giving maximum points for correct full confidence answers, partial points for correct partial-confidence answers, no score for not knowing, and a maximum penalty for wrong answers in any category;
• compiling and displaying a composite knowledge profile to the subject from the administered and re-administered CBA tests.