NEW SHEET DESIGN

The new OMR can be designed using all three editions Standard, Professional and Business.

The initial step in creating an OMR sheet is the design phase, which is done using the Verificare software. To begin, open the software and select the 'File' option from the menu

In the Template section, you can create a new OMR sheet design. Just click on “Create New Design”, as shown in the image below.

Entity

Entity means a part or section of the OMR sheet where data is captured, it is the area on the sheet where the user fills information.

There are two types of entities:

• Matrix Entity

• Labelled Entity

Matrix entity

Matrix entity is used to take input from the candidate, such as roll number, name (candidate name, father’s name, mother’s name), and mobile number, as shown in the image below.

Labelled Entity

Labelled entity is when we are providing options to the candidates and they are selecting between those as shown in below screen.

Please refer to the image below.

Properties of Entities :

Common Properties For the Selected Entity ( Roll Number, Candidate name)

• Name: A user-defined identifier for the entity. This helps you recognize and select the correct entity within the software.

• Side of template: Specifies which side of a double-sided OMR sheet the entity is on (e.g., Side1 or Side2).

• Default Value: A pre-set value for the entity.

• Is Unique ID: Marks the entity's data as a unique identifier for each sheet (e.g., for a roll number), crucial for preventing duplicate records in reports.

• Prefix Value: Fixed text that is automatically added before the read data.

Suffix Value: Fixed text that is automatically added after the read data.

Entity Properties

• Columns: The number of vertical columns of bubbles in the entity.

• Rows: The number of horizontal rows of bubbles in the entity.

• Entity Orientation: Defines the direction of the data. Vertical means you read one column at a time (top to bottom). Horizontal means you read one row at a time (left to right).

• Has ICR field: Enables Intelligent Character Recognition, allowing the software to read handwritten characters in addition to bubbles.

• Header Font: The font used for the header text printed on the OMR sheet.

• Header Text: The label or title for the entity that is printed on the OMR sheet (e.g., "Name" or "Roll Number").

• Horizontal Space: Controls the spacing between bubbles or columns.

• Is Name Entity: Identifies the entity as containing the candidate's name, which will be used in generated reports.

• Section Entity: Designates the entity as defining a section (e.g., for section-wise scoring in a test).

Set Entity: Designates the entity as determining the "question set" of the candidate (e.g., Set A, Set B, etc.).

Master Database Properties

In Verificare software, the “Link to Master Database” option is used to connect the sheet data with an already saved list of records (master data).

Simple meaning:
It checks and matches the data filled by the candidate (like roll number or name) with the existing data in your system.

Purpose:

• To verify correct details (e.g., valid roll numbers)

• To avoid wrong or duplicate entries

• To fetch related information automatically from the database

In short, it helps in validating and matching the candidate’s data with stored records.

Reading Properties

• Maximum Filled: When enabled, the software will select the single darkest-filled bubble in a row/column as the final answer. This is used to resolve ambiguous or lightly marked bubbles.

• Multiple Allowed: Allows more than one bubble to be marked in a single row or column. If disabled, multiple marks will be treated as an error.

View Confidence: When enabled, the software will display a "confidence" percentage in the data grid, indicating its certainty about the accuracy of the read value.

Text Properties

• Bubble Text Type: Defines the type of data the bubbles represent.

• Text: Letters (A, B, C, etc.)

• Numeric: Numbers (0-9)

• Date: Date values

• Custom: User-defined labels

Text Labels / Numeric Labels :  Sets the labels for the bubbles based on the selected type (for example, “A to Z” for text or “0 to 9” for numbers), as shown in the image below.

Date & Custom Labels-  Used to design the entity in date format or alphanumeric format as shown in the image below:

Validation Properties

• To Validate: Enables data validation rules for this entity.

• Value Check / Maximum Value / Maximum Value Check Color: If validation is enabled, you can set a maximum allowable value. Records exceeding this value will be highlighted in the specified color.

Length: Validates that the number of marked bubbles matches a specified length.

Analysis Properties

• Add to Analysis: When enabled, the data from this entity will be included in the statistical analysis and charts generated in the Data Analysis section.
  
  

Clipboard Tools

These tools are used in the Design tab to edit and manage entities on the OMR template.

• Cut: Removes the selected entity from its current location on the design sheet    and places it on the clipboard for pasting elsewhere.

• Copy: Creates a duplicate of the selected entity and places it on the OMR. The original entity remains in its location.

• Paste: Inserts the entity currently held on the clipboard (from a Cut or Copy action) onto the design sheet.

• Delete: Permanently removes the selected entity from the sheet.

• Undo: Reverses the most recent action performed by the user.

• Redo: Restores the most recent action that was undone.

• Make Equal Height: When multiple entities are selected, this function adjusts their heights to be uniform, ensuring a neat and aligned appearance on the OMR sheet.

Question Set

In Verificare software, you can design two types of questions:

• Question Set (MCQ)
• Match Matrix (Integer-type questions)

Question Set (MCQ )-   MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) are questions where the candidate selects one correct answer from multiple given options as shown in the image below:

Common Properties for MCQ questions:

Side of template: Specifies which side of a double-sided OMR sheet the question set is located on.

Question Set Properties

• Questions Count:  Defines the total number of questions in this question set entity.

• Options Count: Defines the number of answer options (bubbles) available for each question.

Mark Unattempt Explicitly: This property, when enabled, instructs the software to explicitly identify and record questions that were left completely blank by the candidate. This allows for clearer differentiation between unanswered questions and those with multiple or ambiguous marks that could not be read.

Reading Properties

• Maximum Filled: When enabled, the software will select the single darkest-filled bubble for each question as the final answer. This is used to resolve ambiguities if a candidate marks multiple options lightly but one darkly.

Multiple Allowed:  When unchecked, it indicates that only one answer per question is allowed. If multiple bubbles are marked for a single question, it will be treated as an invalid response.

Text Properties

Bubble Text Type:

• Text: The bubbles are labelled with alphabetical characters (e.g., A, B, C, D). This is the standard setting for multiple-choice answer options.

• Numeric: The bubbles are labelled with numbers (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 9)

Custom: This allows for user-defined labels on the bubbles, which can be any string of text.

Text Labels: 
Defines the specific sequence of labels for the bubbles, in this case, uppercase letters from A to Z.

Match Matrix

Match Matrix questions are used for integer-type answers, where the candidate fills numbers (instead of selecting options) in the given boxes or bubbles as shown in the image below:

Properties of match the matrix types questions :

Common Properties:

Name :

Unique identifier for this entity (e.g., "entity7")

Side of template :

• Which side of the paper this appears on (Side1 = front)

• Entity Properties :

• Columns: Number of answer positions (4 = answer has 4 characters/digits)

• Rows: Number of choice options per position (5 = A,B,C,D,E options)

• Entity Orientation: Bubble arrangement direction (Horizontal = left to right)

• Header Text: Question number or label ("4" = Question 4)

• Is Integer Type: Should answer be treated as a number (unchecked = text answer)

Is Name Entity: Is this the student's name field (unchecked = no)

Reading Properties :

• Multiple Allowed: Candidate can select multiple options per position (checked = yes)

• Maximum Filled: Pick darkest bubble if multiple are marked (unchecked = no)

• View Confidence: Show reading accuracy percentage (unchecked = no)
  
  

Text Properties :

• Bubble Text Type: Type of answer expected (Text = alphabetic answers)

Text Labels: What each bubble represents (A to Z = letters A through Z)

Crop Image :

A tool to select and save a specific area of the OMR sheet as a separate image file during the reading process. It is used to capture visual elements such as student photographs, signatures, or handwritten text.

Barcode :

Defines a region containing a barcode, enabling the software to automatically read the encoded data from this area during processing,

QR Code :

Defines a region containing a QR code, allowing the software to read more complex encoded data from the sheet.

Text :

Adds static text labels to the OMR sheet design. It is used for printing instructions, headings, field labels, and other fixed information.

Image :

Inserts graphic files and logos into the OMR sheet template, such as company logos, icons, or watermarks.

Shapes in Verificare

Line: A tool used to draw straight lines on the OMR sheet for creating divisions, underlining sections, or improving the visual structure of the design.

Circle: A tool used to draw circular shapes on the sheet, which can be used for highlighting specific areas, creating custom markers.

Rectangle: A tool used to draw rectangular boxes on the OMR sheet, useful for grouping related items, creating checkboxes, or framing specific sections.

Sheet Color :

Sheet Color option is used to select the color of the OMR sheet (Red, Blue, Green, or Orange).

Freeze:

In Verificare, the Freeze option is used to secure the OMR sheet and protect it with a password, preventing any further changes.

Enter the password and enable the Freeze option to protect it, as shown in the image below.

Export Features for a Completed and Frozen OMR Sheet

Once your OMR sheet template is completely designed, Verificare provides several export options to use the design outside the software. These features allow you to save and distribute your OMR sheet in formats suitable for printing, further editing, or professional publishing.

CorelDRAW (.CDR) Export

• Purpose: Export the OMR sheet design to Corel DRAW format for advanced graphic editing and professional layout adjustments.

• Usage: This allows you to open the design in Corel DRAW software for fine-tuning, adding graphics, or preparing for commercial printing.

PDF Export

• Purpose: Save the OMR design as a PDF document for easy printing and distribution.

Usage: Ideal for standard printing requirements and sharing the OMR sheet in a universally accessible format.

XPS Document Export

• Purpose: Export the design as an XPS (XML Paper Specification) document.

• Usage: Provides an alternative fixed-document format similar to PDF for reliable viewing and printing.