Norshahila Mohamad Razak, Judith Nesamalar Tharumaraj, Kalai Vaani Rajandram, Prema Ponnudurai, Jacqueline Thomas Pereira, Sharon Linang Jimbun, Joyce Cheah Kim Sim & Kelly Tee Pei Leng

Abstract:

International English language test centres around the world were restricted from conducting physical examinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This created an immense impact on the overall university admission and enrolment as students were unable to access test centres to fulfil English language enrolment requirements. Based on Alessi and Trollip’s Instructional System Design Model (2001), this conceptual paper critically examines the stages of development and conversion of an existing paper-based university English Entrance Test (EET) to an online test implemented in a Malaysian private university as a measure to facilitate student enrolment during this time. This case study looks at each stage of the development of the digital platform, design, remote administration of the test and automated assessment tabulation embedded in the system. Upon a tripartite evaluation of the system by administrators, lecturers, and candidates, findings reveal a significant decrease in enrolment processing time; however, the unfamiliarity of the system posed a barrier to students. Therefore, the study’s findings are hoped to equip university administrators with knowledge in developing an inhouse English admission test system to ensure a sustained digital transformation and expand the body of knowledge on mitigation in higher education during crises such as a pandemic.

Keywords: Online English Entrance Test, COVID-19 pandemic, university admission and enrolment, Alessi and Trollip’s Instructional System Design Model, IELTS, higher education