This is an introduction to Soft Assess – an assessment software solution for FET colleges, and schools.

Soft Assess is an assessment tool used by students and facilitators / assessors to complete assessments on the PC for South African Unit Standard based Portfolios of Evidence.

Each user can create his/her own profile on a PC. This profile contains data of the user, such as completed assessments, score results of completed assessments, scheduled assessments (based on qualification), re-assessments scheduled etc…

A user can log in to his/her password encrypted profile, and choose a specific assessment to complete. Soft Assess works with “.module” file types, which contains all the assessment data for a specific module. The file name is the Unit Standard number, in the example, “262984” is “Reinforced Concrete Detailing” (elective) for the CAD Office Practice Qualification (U.S.66071).

Each qualification has it’s own modules, based on the SAQA qualification, they are “Fundamentals”, “Core” and “Electives”. The user chooses which modules he/she wants to complete.

Each module is registered against a user profile, in order to avoid the same assessment being attempted more than once by a user – however, a re-assessment with different questions can be scheduled for the same module if required.

As mentioned, a user cannot do the same assessment more than once. An assessment has a start and end date, and has to be done within these dates. The start en end dates are configured by the facilitator / assessor. This enhances management and validity of assessments.

Assessment is in the form of MS Word 2007/2010 documents, but with coded features to automate the marking procedure, automate compilation of results for Portfolios and has built-in security features which includes: -No other windows can be accessed while the assessment is ongoing -All other applications are “soft- locked” while the assessment is ongoing -A timer monitors the duration of the assessment, and will stop the assessment when the time runs out.

There are different question types namely: Multiple response, Multiple choice, Matching drag-and-drop, Fill in the blanks, and Hotspot selections.

To understand how to answer the questions, basic computer knowledge is required. It is very easy and logical.

The Hotspot questions requires the user to click on the “Hotspot Selector” button and then click in the correct area. A small red cross indicates the selected position.

When the assessment has been completed, the user simply submits the answers…

After clicking on the “Submit” button, a score sheet is automatically generated, with the appropriate assessment data and results. This sheet can be printed for P.O.E.

A mark sheet is also generated, to indicate the marks achieved by the user, and where incorrect answers were submitted.

If the time on the “Timer” box runs out before the assessment has been submitted, a locked screen appears, to make sure that questions cannot be answered after the assessment time has run out. The assessor then provides the password to unlock the screen, and can then submit the questions.

Soft Assess will reduce manual marking by 70%. Soft Assess provides more than just “True or False” or “Monkey Puzzle” type questions. With Soft Assess, Software simulation is also available. The following SAQA registered qualifications are currently supported: -CAD Office Practice – MCITP (Enterprise Administrator) MCITP (Technical Support) – End User Computing – Systems Development – Various business modules Stand-alone modules are also available, e.g. “Introduction to computers using Windows 7”. New modules can be developed on request, as well as full qualifications.

Soft Assess Easy to use Requires no internet connection Safe and secure, tamper proof assessments Fully automated Program files are small, and requires little space Statistical data can be retrieved by one click Affordable, time-saver solution