Understanding the Progress Bar

About the Progress Bar in an adaptive test

The progress bar in an adaptive test is more complex than a progress bar found in a linear test.

In a linear test, progress is predominantly displayed based on the applicant's completion of answers within a fixed total number of questions, meaning that any display of progress will be shown per question.

An adaptive test on the other hand is uniquely responsive to the individual applicant, meaning that test progress and test length change with each question answered. With each answered question the applicant's skill level is monitored and progress is calculated to take into account the remaining questions which that specific test taker is predicted as needing to answer. As a result the progress has potential to move backwards as well as forwards, though in the ISEB adaptive test this has been mitigated against to ensure the bar only moves forward. 

With all this in mind, the applicants may notice that near the end of the test there is some white space in the progress bar immediately before the test ends, as the applicant, upon answering the latest question, has reached a skill record accuracy to end the test at that point without needing to show any of the upcoming questions.

Hiding the Progress Bar

For pupils who find the progress bar causes them anxiety, it can be hidden from view by clicking on the bar.