Students' Perception of Online Assessment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Undergraduate Students in the UAE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate students' perceptions towards online assessment during the first wave of the COVID- 19 pandemic. A sample of students $(\mathrm{n}=302)$ participated in the study which took place during the second semester of the academic year 2019/2020. The study adopted a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods and consisted of a Likert scale survey questions and a free writing reflection question. Statistical analysis revealed that there is an inverse correlation between the students' GPAs, on the one hand, and their level of satisfaction with online assessment and the $\mathrm{pass}/\mathrm{fail}$ option, on the other. That is to say, students with higher GPAs were less satisfied with online testing and the $\mathrm{pass}/\mathrm{fail}$ option. In addition, students' responses to the open ending question provided educators with a number of suggestions for improvement such as implementing online oral exams and on-campus testing. The implications of the study are significant for maintaining accurate and fair assessment solutions during the current and any potential future crises.