the present invention can accommodate several procedural designs in providing necessary data coded test materials to examinees . for example , the data codes can be bar codes , and these bar codes may initially appear on the test materials and / or they can initially appear on labels for distribution to the test - taker for subsequent affixing to the test materials . if the label procedure is utilized , the labels can be distributed to the examinee either during registration or at the test site . according to a preferred embodiment , when a prospective test - taker registers with ets to take the examination , he or she receives a &# 34 ; candidate pack &# 34 ; containing detailed instructions with pertinent forms and codes . bound in the center of this booklet is a set of adhesive examinee labels 1 , each containing a bar coded examinee number . the examinees are instructed to place one of these test - taker associated data code bearing labels on each exam and are cautioned not to allow anyone else to use their labels . the well known bar code symbology used in this embodiment is commonly referred to as code 3 of 9 (&# 34 ; code 39 &# 34 ;). code 39 offers a full alphanumeric character set , the ability to print bar codes in a variety of sizes and densities , and bi - directional scanning . code 39 bar code material may be obtained from commercial vendors and / or printers of bar code or printed using a suitable computer , a printer and an appropriate computer software package . in a preferred embodiment , the computer is &# 34 ; the macintosh ii &# 34 ; and the laser printer is the &# 34 ; laserwriter ii ntx &# 34 ;; both are manufactured by apple computer , inc . of cupertino , calif . the software used to print the bar codes is &# 34 ; bar code labeler &# 34 ;, manufactured by videx , inc . of corvallis , ore . and &# 34 ; printbar -- bar code fonts for the apple macintosh &# 34 ;, manufactured by bear rock software company of placerville , calif . after the examination , all testing materials are returned to ets where they are placed in folders in preparation for the essay reading session . to minimize any possible bias , essays are scrambled at check - in to assure a folder is not made up of only one school &# 39 ; s tests . aides use an electronic scale to count essays and place an accurate fixed quantity in each folder . essays are reviewed to determine that they all have had an examinee number label ( fig1 ) affixed . if the label is missing , the test - taker &# 39 ; s registration information is used to recreate the information and a label is created and affixed . each folder is identified by a folder number which is assigned using consecutively numbered bar coded labels . the folder number label ( fig2 ) bearing a machine - readable data code associated with the folder is then placed on the folder control sheet ( fig4 ) which is then affixed to the folder . the folder number may also be written on each folder &# 39 ; s flap so it can be read when the folders are placed in files . aides place fully prepared folders in folder number order into file boxes and clearly label each box with the range of folder numbers it contains , so that folders can be refiled later in the same boxes . readers &# 39 ; names and their reader numbers are entered into an on - site database and used to print a pair of reader number labels ( fig3 ) bearing machine - readable data code associated with the reader that are affixed to both sides of a reader &# 39 ; s essay scoring card ( fig5 ). two labels are preferably used so there is a backup if one is defective or if it wears excessively from contact with the sensing device . the reader database contains data on the table leader and table number to which the reader is assigned plus the question to be read . to perform the grading task , each reader is presented with a portable self - powered programmed bar code sensing device to be used as data entry device and an essay scoring card bearing machine - readable data code associated with the grade as illustrated by the printed bar codes appearing on fig5 . the sensing devices are individually programmed with software specified to silently acknowledge a successful bar code scan by turning on a red light - emitting - diode with each successful scan . one suitable device is a portable programmable optical code reader called the &# 34 ; timewand &# 34 ;, manufactured by videx , inc . of corvallis , ore . normally , bar code sensors acknowledge scans via loud beepers , something that would be extremely disruptive to the reading / grading process . therefore , in the preferred embodiment , the portable sensing device is beneficially programmed to silently acknowledge a successful bar code scan by turning on a red light - emitting - diode with each successful scan . each sensing device is configured and programmed by placing each one in a download slot cabled to the serial port of a personal computer on which the sensing device &# 39 ; s configuration software is operational . each sensing device is identified by a unique serial number which must match against a table of sensing device numbers in the personal computer before further interaction with the sensing device is permitted to take place . this is true both during configuring and in subsequent data downloading . in the reading site computer room is a bank of recharging - downloading devices used to charge the batteries of the sensing devices before the reading begins . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the &# 34 ; multiple recharger / downloader &# 34 ;, manufactured by videx , inc . of corvallis , ore . has been used . even though the predicted life of the charge is 3 - 5 days in this kind of use , as a precaution , the sensing devices are also placed in the rechargers overnight during the reading to maintain a full charge . to assure the sensing devices are properly programmed and charged before they are given to readers , an aide tests each sensing device by scanning a bar code specifically designed for this test ( representing an entry one level down in the sensing device &# 39 ; s data hierarchy structure ). an illustrative example of such a bar code is bar code number on sensing device quality control sheet ( fig8 ). to pass this test , the sensing device &# 39 ; s acknowledgment light is programmed to &# 34 ; blink &# 34 ; ( though this is normally the indication of an out - of sequence scan ). in a preferred embodiment , as an additional quality control measure , periodically the re - configured and re - programmed sensing devices are sampled , and the chosen device is required to scan and give proper responses to the twelve quality control bar codes appearing on fig8 . the chosen device is downloaded to the downloading computer which directs the printing of a report listing the data it purportedly scanned . the report listing is then compared to the quality control bar codes on the sensing device quality control sheet ( fig8 ). if the sample does not pass this test other actions are indicated . as a part of their introduction to the use of the sensing device , readers are provided sample bar codes to use in practicing with the sensing devices on the first day . these materials use bar codes easily identified in subsequent downloading , thereby eliminating them from routine processing . to minimize any uncertainty as to the accuracy of the scanning process using their essay scoring cards ( fig5 ), readers are trained to place the tip of the sensing device on the essay scoring card &# 39 ; s numeric digit located before and after the bar code for a particular grade , then sweep in a straight line through the bar code . training also enforces the importance of the regimen of scanning the score immediately after scanning the examinee number so there is no delay between the two entries , therefore no opportunity to forget whether the examinee number had been scanned . the readers are instructed to think &# 34 ; exam - score &# 34 ; and to always do the two together . readers are instructed to leave incomplete folders open on the table any time they leave the room , including overnight . also reinforced is the discipline to work from right to left , with completed essays moved to the reader &# 39 ; s - folder &# 39 ; s left . the reading site is staffed with a number of aides with responsibilities to keep the flow of essays moving efficiently through the reading process . as they pick up scored folders from each room , aides verify that the proper question graded box on the folder control sheet ( fig4 ) has been crossed out by the readers . this check mark is the only visual indication of the progress of a folder , though any folder &# 39 ; s status is also available in the central database . when a folder has all questions checked off , it is re - filed in proper sequence in its original box in final files . to begin the actual reading process , each reader will initialize his / her sensing device by scanning his / her reader number off the reader number label ( fig3 ) and the machine - readable data codes associated with the test and the test question on the folder control sheet ( fig4 ), thereby personalizing the sensing device and associating it with the specific grading task ahead . next , the first essay is read and a grade determined . then the examinee &# 39 ; s identification number from the examinee number label ( fig1 ) on the cover of the essay book is scanned , followed immediately by a scan of the bar code representing the selected grade from the reader &# 39 ; s essay scoring card . at this point , all the data necessary for this essay question has been recorded in the sensing device ( including , as provided by the sensing device , the date and time each bar code was scanned ). the next testbook can now be processed in the same manner ; first the examinee number , then the grade . these two steps are repeated until the entire folder of essays has been read and another folder can be graded in the same manner , starting again with reader number . quality control sheets ( fig6 ) are placed in the middle of the reader &# 39 ; s tables . to get the reading started , readers scan and write the grades for the first few ( 3 or so ) essays in each folder on the quality control sheet . the readers then pass the quality control sheets and the folder to the table leader , who also writes his / her grades for selected essays on the quality control sheets . whether they agree or disagree , the essays remain in their original folders for subsequent processing . all quality control sheets are retained by the table leader to be collected later by a &# 34 ; quality control aide &# 34 ;. if there is disagreement between a reader &# 39 ; s grade and the table leader &# 39 ; s grade , and if discussion results in a change in the reader &# 39 ; s grade , the table leader notes that fact on the relevant quality control sheet ( fig6 ). then the table leader uses his / her sensing device to enter the folder &# 39 ; s cover sheet data ( fig4 ) and examinee number and the table leader &# 39 ; s grade for that essay . entry by the table leader serves as official notice of an override of the grade the reader originally entered via the his / her sensing device . at a later point in time , the data base record should be checked for entry of the revised grade , the results are recorded on the &# 34 ; dbase check &# 34 ; column on the quality control sheet ( fig6 ). in this manner an extra measure of control and increasing accuracy are provided . capturing bar - coded examinee identification , test identification , reader identification , essay score , etc ., electronically , means that there is no longer a need for key entry of these data . as each reader scans the bar codes that represent the particular information the data is recorded directly into the sensing device &# 39 ; s memory . thus , the present invention eliminates the key entry process and all the concomitant error , grading sheet control and document transportation issues relating to the reading function of the examination . moreover , because the source documents never have to leave the reading site for keying and the scoring data is available electronically , more current information critical to the management of the reading can also be made available as needed and in real time , while the readers and the tests are both at the test site . periodically throughout the day , the readers &# 39 ; &# 34 ; used &# 34 ; sensing devices are exchanged for &# 34 ; fresh &# 34 ; sensing devices in a cyclical &# 34 ; sensing - device - sweep &# 34 ; process , so named because it best describes the activity of exchanging all sensing devices at a table at the same time . the sensing - device - sweep comprises the following process for downloading the &# 34 ; used &# 34 ; sensing devices &# 39 ; data into a downloading computer for analysis and replacing them with &# 34 ; fresh &# 34 ; sensing devices . the table &# 39 ; s &# 34 ; used &# 34 ; sensing devices are placed in a yellow &# 34 ; used &# 34 ; sensing devices tray , and &# 34 ; fresh &# 34 ; sensing devices are distributed to the table from a red &# 34 ; fresh &# 34 ; sensing devices tray . the used sensing devices are delivered to the computer room , where the recharging - downloading devices are kept , and are inserted into the recharger - downloader for the downloading process . the recharger - downloader device communicates with the downloading computer through its serial port . the downloading computer validates the sensing device &# 39 ; s identification number against a table of proper sensing devices stored in the downloading computer . if the check results in a match , the sensing device is downloaded into the downloading computer . after the data is downloaded the data is cleared from the sensing device &# 39 ; s storage means , and the sensing device is reprogrammed by the downloading computer as a &# 34 ; fresh &# 34 ; sensing device . quality control tests should be performed on the &# 34 ; fresh &# 34 ; sensing devices to ensure that the reprogramming has been successful and that the device is functioning properly . &# 34 ; fresh &# 34 ; sensing devices are placed in a red fresh sensing devices tray for distribution to the tables during a subsequent sensing - device - sweep . the data downloaded from the sensing device may then be communicated to a central / file server computer for analysis over any suitable communications network . the central / file server computer analyzes the data for accuracy and validity . exceptions found in the data are sent to a temporary file location , while acceptable data are loaded to the central scores database , both the temporary file location and the central scores database are resident on the central / file server computer . the errors associated with the data in the temporary file location may be resolved via a manual or a computerized review process . one simplified review process is to merely delete suspect data for a test question , deletion will , in turn , necessitate a manual review of the relevant test materials to determine the missing data . essay data which have passed the accuracy and validity requirements are processed for each grading table and a table leader sweep report is generated . the report is printed on a printer connected to the central / file server computer . this report provides a summary of each table &# 39 ; s score data contained in that sweep &# 39 ; s sensing devices ; it is scheduled to be delivered to the table leader within an hour of the sweep . in one embodiment , periodically , the central scores database may be uploaded via a modem to a mainframe computer for final data analysis and to provide a test - taker report . in a preferred embodiment of the invention , the following arrangement of commercially available computer hardware and software has been found suitable . three &# 34 ; compaq portable iii &# 34 ; personal computers , manufactured by compaq computer corporation of houston , tex ., are used on site . one personal computer is used as the downloading computer , one as the central / file server computer and one as a network server ( and backup ). the three personal computers communicate with each other over a novell local area network , manufactured by novell inc . of provo , utah . connected to the central / file server computer is an &# 34 ; epson lq - fx850 &# 34 ; dot matrix printer , distributed by epson america , inc . of torrance , calif ., and a 2400 baud modem . in this preferred embodiment the central / file server computer runs a data base management system , &# 34 ; dbase iii plus &# 34 ; or &# 34 ; dbase iv &# 34 ;, both manufactured by ashton - tate corporation of torrance , calif . in order to provide the table leader with sufficient information to run his / her table according to the present invention , the table sweep report should comprise : the reader &# 39 ; s name and number ; the percentage of scores the reader awarded at each possible score point ( that is , the percentage of 5 &# 39 ; s , the percentage of 8 &# 39 ; s , etc ); the total number of essays graded by the readers at the table in the current &# 34 ; sweep &# 34 ; ( that is , the number of questions the table has graded since the last time all the sensing devices were gathered ); the mean scores awarded by each reader at the table for the last sweep and for all prior sweeps ; a suitable scoring confidence interval for each reader at the table ; the mean score awarded by all the readers at the table ; and an identifying mark and the number of questions graded by any reader if the mean score awarded by the reader falls outside the particular reader &# 39 ; s confidence interval . the concept of a confidence interval is to give the table leader a quantitative measure on which to base a need for further review of reader &# 39 ; s work . there are many different methods for determining a suitable confidence interval . for example , the confidence interval could represent a range of scores within which the sample mean would be expected to fall some pre - specified percentage , again , for example , ninety - five percent of the time , assuming a repeated random sampling and based on the well known statistical analysis of random sampling . the present invention thereby permits a table leader to have a very complete picture of the performance of each of his / her readers throughout the reading . this information was not available using the prior art methods ; except in those rare instances where there was an occasional clerically - intensive pencil and paper spreadsheet maintained at considerable expense in terms of time and effort . according to one embodiment of the present invention , a reader confidence interval is calculated based on all the readers &# 39 ; grading for a particular question . by comparison with the reader confidence interval a reader who demonstrates a tendency to consistently award scores that are higher or lower than his / her counterparts reading the same question may be identified . a summary of this information is very beneficial to the table leader who is able to respond expeditiously and appropriately to the situation much more quickly , and with the confidence based on a full array of score data . since the essay scores are periodically downloaded to the central data base computer throughout the reading and , as soon as the second set of grades for a folder is downloaded , the computer compares them with their earlier counterparts and identifies any essays that constitute discrepancies immediately . each discrepant essay &# 39 ; s folder - serial number is reported to clerks who have immediate access to these folders . they retrieve each discrepant essay , re - folder them and distribute them to the appropriate readers to be scored a third time . the computer also utilizes the readers &# 39 ; numbers to identify readers who &# 34 ; contributed &# 34 ; to the discrepancy , directing the third grading to different personnel . this process provides that all discrepancies can be identified before the reading ends , eliminating the need for subsequent make - up readings and their implicit additional costs and delays . in order to assure that the reader database is current as to essay question number assignments , when a reader is reassigned to another table or question , a reader reassignment form ( fig7 ) should be completed . a data base entry is then made to identify this reader under the new assignment and table , thereby allowing a reader to move while also retaining the original reader characteristics under which the prior reading was performed . although preferred specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail , it is desired to emphasize that this has been for the purpose of illustrating and describing the invention , and should not be considered as necessarily limitative of the invention , it being understood that many modifications can be made by those skilled in the art while still practicing the invention claimed herein .