Optical Mark Scanners at Humboldt State Univ.

    OMR scanners read the kind of forms on which you fill in the bubbles with a #2 pencil.  We have scanners from two different companies at HSU.  We have Scantron scanners and Opscan scanners.  The Opscan scanners are sold by NCS Pearson, Scantron scanners are sold by Scantron.
    OMR forms have black marks on one side, these are called timing marks.  Timing marks show the scanner where the data fields are located.  HSU OMR scanners use two different types of form.  The old style forms have timing marks 1/32 inch in width.  The new style forms have timing marks 1/16 inch in width.  There is one form on which both types are combined.

    OMR scanners can be self-contained (Offline scanners) or connected to a computer (Online scanners).  The scanners at HSU have four main types of form processing capabilities (some have more than one).  The four types are: Data capture; Score; Tally; Offline score.
   
    A Data capture scanner saves the data from the forms in a file and it is the responsibility of the user to have a program to process the data.

    A Score scanner is for scoring tests.  The user runs a key form with the correct answers before running the test forms.  Score scanners can be Online or Offline and the Offline scanners print the result for each test form on that form.  Online Score scanners provide output from a printer showing the results for each form and also statistics. Some Online scanners can also print on the form.

    A Tally scanner does not show the results for each form but provides a total count and a percentage for the questions on all of the forms scanned in one batch.


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SCANNER                                     DEPT.                   CONTACT                               FUNCTION                            FORMS                        USE

NCS Pearson Opscan 6                                    ITS                             Carol Morse  6127                                     Data Capture                                  F1884 (new)                       For Instructor evals

Scantron 2260                                                  Housing                       Drew Meyer  5529                                     Data Capture                                 Custom (new)                           Housing

Scantron 8600                                                  Testing                         Jo Ann Pieper 5662                                    Scoring                                          F288, F289, F1712, F3652          Tests

X101864 (new/old form)

Scantron 5200S                                                Testing                        Jo Ann Pieper 5662                                     Scoring & Tally                           Scoring:815, 815-E, 882, 888     Tests&Surveys

889, 2052, 2054, 2200

22000, 52000, 20052

Tally: 815, 815-E, X-101864

Offline Score: 815, 815-E, 885, X-101864

Scantron 888MP                                              Testing                        Jo Ann Pieper 5662                                      Scoring (Offline)                          815-E & other old style                    Tests

Scantron 888P+                                               Testing                        Jo Ann Pieper 5662                                      Scoring (Offline)                           815, 815-E, 882, 883, X-101864         Tests