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Speedwell has officially launched its much anticipated new online exam software, transforming the way exams are being delivered in one of Canada’s top medical schools. The Speedwell eSystem has been in development for 18 months and is suitable for both formative and summative tests, with an online question bank at the heart of the system.  Using the very latest Microsoft technology, the eSystem supports a wide range of exam delivery devices – iPads, tablets, smart phones, Windows PCs, Macs.

McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Canada was the first to purchase the Speedwell eSystem, selecting it for its flexibility and potential to evolve with their needs. Believing the online exam platform’s capacity to scale with future requirements makes it an ideal choice for medical schools in Canada and beyond.

Could you tell me why McGill Faculty of Medicine selected Speedwell’s eSystem?

On the one hand, it was in development, which had pros and cons. The cons being an element of uncertainty but the pro was an opportunity to provide input in its development. We were also reassured by Speedwell’s long track record in the UK. Users consistently indicated high levels of responsiveness to feedback – even the perfect system has glitches so being responsive was deemed important. We appreciated their no nonsense approach and felt the company was trustworthy. They really made us feel like special clients. Furthermore, compared to other solutions, the system keeps data in-house. It was also very flexible, for example it allows for negative scoring.

What types of exams will the system be used for?

We already had a system for formative quizzes but we wanted something for online summative exams including end of course exams and progress tests.

In terms of item formats we are looking forward to the system being able to handle short-answer, pick N, and ultimately script concordance testing – but for now, we are happy to make do with single best answer MCQ* which was what was available at the initial launch of the eSystem. Since then many more question styles have been added, including Short-answer, Very Short answer, Essay & OSCE to name a few. Read more about some of the more advanced question styles in our blog: Elevate your exams with advanced question styles.

What is your objective for the eSystem?

The first objective was to implement a central item bank to allow us to reuse questions and store item psychometrics.

We are also hoping that the system will very soon allow us to generate reports regarding class and individual performance by specific objectives.**

Do you have any other comments you would like to add?

We have been extremely impressed by the responsiveness and technical support offered. We are very excited by how the system will change the way we author and share questions, develop exams, and provide feedback to learners and curriculum management.

2025 update from Speedwell

Over the ten years since this article was originally published, we have continued to build a strong and collaborative relationship. Client feedback has played a key role in shaping the development of our eSystem, helping us to refine features, introduce new functionality, and enhance the overall user experience. By working closely with our users, we’ve been able to ensure that the system remains flexible, responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of modern exams whilst maintaining the same high level of reliability, that our customers expect.

To find out more about our eSystem, please contact our sales team.

*Since launch we have added the following question styles to the eSystem: MCQ’s including Extended Matching questions, Single best answer, multiple answer, short answer, very short answer, multiple short answer, hot spot, drag and drop, short case, mini multiple interview (MMI), OSCE (online and offline) and remote OSCE.

**Since this article was published this feature has been developed. Read more about our Student Feedback Reports

Originally published 21st May, 2015. Updated Feb 2025.