Optimized Methodology Using Multi-Choice Question Tests on Paper From question authoring to grade publishing

The introduction of the FCT Curricular Profile at Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, a pioneering pedagogical model in Portugal, allowed to accommodate transversal skills, such as research and entrepreneurialism, soft skills and contact with industry in all its BSc, MSc and integrated MSc curricula. Since these skills are increasingly being recognized by employes, the chances for the Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia of Universidade Nova de Lisboa s students to be successful in the job market tend to increase. However, the calendar changes resulting from this pedagogical model imposed serious management problems concerning assessment using on-paper tests, specially to courses with a high number of enrolled students (ranging from 200 to 800).Here we present a methodology that is being used since 2012 that proved to successfully overcome those difficulties. The methodology embraces the whole process of assessment using on-paper tests from its beginning (test authoring) to grades publication. The methodology implementation enabled a significant decrease of faculty s exam/test proctoring time, reduced the grading time for less than an hour, and permitted a much more efficient use of university s rooms dedicated to tests. Moreover, allowed many professors to convey many hours previously spent in related test activities to their research and teaching innovation activities.