Automatic Item Generation Software: 5 Best to use

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Key notes

  • Item generation for quizzes is usually done manually, and that can take time.
  • Fortunately, dedicated software exists that can help with this, and it's easy-to-use too.
  • We've gathered several such software tools together in a list for you to pick from.
  • These tools vary in difficulty and how efficient they are, thus suiting a wide variety of users.
item generation software

The typical item generation process for quizzes is done by a content specialist who lists one item at a time. This process is extremely time-consuming, and this type of item generation can cause serious issues because of human errors.

Continuous supply of new items is very important when it comes to the quality of the tests you produce. As a result, automatic item generation (AIG) allows you to list items with the help of computer software.

With AIG software, items can be generated automatically, or based on specific characteristics, depending on your personal needs.

Let’s explore some of the best automated item generation software options on the market.

Which are the best 5 automated item generation software?

Talent LMS

Talent LMS - item generation

Talent LMS is another great tools that provides you with a wide range of features that allow you to easily generate items, create online tests, user testing, teaching and training, and can even be used for e-commerce (small and medium sized businesses and schools).

You can easily embedd content like video, audio, SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) , xAPI and flash elements, and you can also use the search features to find and embed videos from Youtube, SlideShare, Wikipedia articles, etc.

All the lessons and tests produced with Talent LMS can be presented on desktops, tables, or smartphones. You can use two types of testing – fixed and randomized, each offering you different questions for your test-takers.

Key features of Talent LMS include:

  • Re-use presentations and videos in new courses
  • It offers support for different types of questions and a variety of test types
  • Advanced reporting features on test results
  • Surveys engine – collect and analyze survey responses
  • Learning paths – administer the way courses can be completed or viewed
  • Files repository – organize, use and re-share files with users
  • Gamification – add badges, points, levels, rewards, etc.
  • Video-conference support
  • E-commerce – can sell your courses via PayPal or Stripe
  • White-labeling – allows you to customize your own domain and logo, emails
  • Can add own CSS or JavaScript on visual themes

There are 5 versions of the tool available for download.

Talent LMS Free

  • Up to 5 users
  • Up to 10 courses

Talent LMS Small

  • Up to 25 users
  • Unlimited courses

Talent LMS Basic

  • 100 users
  • Unlimited courses
  • Single sign-on support

Talent LMS Plus :

  • Up to 500 users
  • Unlimited courses
  • Single Sign-On support
  • Custom reports
  • Automations
  • Success Manager
  • SSL for your custom domain

Talent LMS Premium – contains every feature  from Talent LMS Plus, and adds the ability to be used by up to 1000 users.

Talent LMS

Talent LMS

All the features you need to get up and running fast.
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Yardstick Itematic

Yarstick Itematic - item generation

This application is a great automated item and question generation tool that allows you to build multiple questions tests with ease. This software works by analyzing a question by splitting the content into segments, based on grammatical structure, models defined by the user, or a list of components like procedures, symptoms, client characteristics, etc.

Features of Yardstick:

  • Web-based application – can be accessed from anywhere at anytime
  • User-friendly
  • Create question templates
  • Ability to set valid questions stems
  • Can create easily understandable lists of question options
  • Can present you with various combination and permutations
  • Denote ‘friend’ and ‘enemy’ options
  • Ability to generate multiple questions based on one stem

⇒ Get Yardstick Itematic

Easy LMS

Easy LMS - item generation

Easy LMS (learning management system) is a user-friendly application that allows you to streamline the item generation process. Using this software permits you to collect data, organize it, create quizzes and apply the data you collected to your company’s business.

Key features of Easy LMS include:

  • Build lessons and courses – can combine text, video, images, exams, etc.
  • Create exams
  • Create assessments – single or multiple axis assessments
  • Create quizzes
  • White label LMS and branding – can remove labels from this LMS and embed it into your own site
  • Advanced user management
  • Can automatically send invites to users
  • Self-registration
  • Certification options
  • Single sign-on – easy and secure access
  • Academy portal – can assign groups of students to specific content
  • Can track progress of your students and their results, and offer stats.

Easy LMS was released in 5 different versions, each of them containing specific features designed for different users/businesses.

Tiny Owl – Free

  • Unlimited courses
  • 100 tests per month
  • Question types: multiple choice, free text, fill in the blank
  • Use text, images and video
  • No support
  • Mobile friendly

Smart Owl-Professional suitable for individuals and educators. It has all the features of the Free version, and adds:

  • Unlimited questions
  • 1,000 tests taken per month
  • Use text, images and video
  • Question types: multiple choice, image, free text, fill in the blank
  • View & Export results
  • View & Export statistics
  • Mobile friendly
  • Great support
  • Cancel plan anytime

Business Owl  which is perfect for small and medium business. The tool includes all the features of Smart Owl Professional and adds:

  • 25,000 tests per month
  • Ask additional player information
  • Advanced user management
  • Invite only
  • White label
  • Automatic certification
  • Optional: Academy add-on (extra monthly fee)

Corporate Owl for professional and large organisations. It has all the features of Business Owl and adds :

  • 50,000 tests per month
  • Custom certification
  • Custom CSS
  • Integrate with Mailchimp
  • Webhook integration
  • API
  • Connect with Hubspot
  • Use POST/GET parameters to receive data from 3rd party tool
  • Multi-admin (2 included, option to purchase more)

Enterprise Owl for people who need an Enterprise solution. This version supports all the features of Corporate Owl and also adds:

  • 100,000 tests per month
  • Academy
  • Single Sign On (+ setup fee)
  • Dedicated consultant
  • Priority support

⇒ Get EasyLMS

ExamSoft E.I

ExamSoft E.I - item generation

ExamSoft is a great tool that allows you to manage all your online assessments in the cloud. You can use this tools to manage accounts, create exams and apply different functionality features to your test creation process.

Some of the most notable features include:

  • Secure assessment – shortens the time of creation of exam data
  • Ability to import and bank questions – tag learning outcomes for easy access
  • Can host exams offline and create assessments on any device
  • Instantly grades exams while offering real-time student performance data
  • Create detailed reports about performances obtained
  • Locks student devices in an offline testing application with wide range of security processes
  • Gives students instant feedback

⇒ Get ExamSoft E.I

ProProfs Quiz Maker

ProProfs Quiz Maker - item generator

ProProfs Quiz Maker is anothe great software option that can stream-line the quiz creation process.

ProProfs can be accessed at any time no matter where you are, with a stable internet connection, you can email/print quizzes, add notes and explanations to them, share your quizzes on Facebook, create private and branded quizzes, and also offers support on all platforms available.

This software can also help you easily embed quizzes on your website/blog, allows you to find out who took your quiz, and also offers support in more than 70 languages.

Notable features of ProProfs include:

  • Can create quizzes automatically by the use of 100k+ question banks
  • Add videos, images & media to your quizzes for a better look
  • Ability to randomize questions and answers for cheating prevention
  • Easily create timed quizzes
  • Can collect feedback and generate leads
  • Smart configurations
  • Instant grading & download results
  • Evaluate learner’s knowledge and easily track progress
  • Advanced reporting and analytics
  • Automated grading & certificates
  • Supports 10+ question types
  • Create customized quiz certificates
  • 300k+ free quiz templates

ProProfs Quiz Maker was released in different versions, each with it’s own features list, categorized by the size of your business:

ProProfs Free – for public quizzes

  • Public quizzes
  • Sell quizzes
  • Can create reports

ProProfs Basic includes all the features from Free edition and adds:

  • 100 quiz takers
  • 1 instructor
  • Unlimited quizzes, questions and leads
  • No ads
  • Report and tracking
  • Quiz stats and analytics
  • Question banks
  • Sharing options
  • Leads, offer and social media
  • Web quality certificates
  • 1 GB storage
  • Email support

ProProfs Team which is suitable for medium sized groups with multiple teams  and quiz taker management. It has all features from the Basic version, and adds:

  • 200 quiz takers
  • 5 GB storage
  • Survey Maker Professional
  • Online classroom and learner dashboard
  • Access to forums and learner communities
  • Advanced progress reports
  • Save and resume options
  • 5 groups
  • Phone support
  • Basic integrations

ProProfs Business for use by a single instructor in a business environment. It supports all the features of Team version and adds:

  • 300 quiz takers
  • Print quality
  • Unlimited storage
  • Survey Maker Business
  • Can create up to 20 groups
  • Offline Authoring
  • White Label
  • Self Registration
  • Reminders & Announcement
  • Premium support
  • Advanced integrations

ProProfs Enterprise for larger groups that need multiple instructors, admins, roles or team reporting. It supports all the features of Business edition and also adds:

  • Unlimited number of quiz takers
  • Unlimited number of instructors
  • Survey Maker Enterprise
  • Unlimited number of groups and supports sub groups
  • Compliance
  • API & Single-Sign On
  • SAML & LDAP
  • SCORM, TinCan & LRS
  • Roles & Permissions administration tools
  • Unlimited number of group admins
  • Custom licence, enterprise security and ownership
  • 100 pages of training manuals and documents
  • Onboarding and success manager
  • Premium integrations

⇒ Get ProProfs Quiz Maker 

In this article, we explored some of the best automated item generation software solutions available on the market. The features encompassed in these 5 software options cover all the aspects of quiz generation, from the start to the finishing touches of the project.

Depending on your company’s or school’s needs, in order to get an idea about how the software works, you can start by trying the free versions presented in this list, and then choose the best fit of software depending on the details of the features you need to use.

We would love to know what software option you chose from this list and why. Let us know in the comment section below.

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