The way that I have learned to do them, is by running the test under Netscape, as either over the Internet,    which is "distance",    or internally,    as an "Intranet". 

Early designs envisioned using cgi scripts to operate the tests, but my Internet Service Provider said that cgi scripts can crash his server,   so that mode was out.

The html/Javascript pages send the answers to any email address you desire. The answers are then input with Eudora or any email program.   This is not quite as "instant"   as doing them with cgi scripts.     If you have your own server,   then cgi scripts become feasible.

You need to leave your email program set to "leave messages on the server", which will give us many retries, during testing. 

The fancy work is splitting up the incoming character stream, into separate lines, for grading purposes. My code is in PowerBasic, but once you see how easy it is, you could do it in C++, whatever you are comfortable with.

The keys to anyone repeating what I did are 

1. Generate any particular kind of question in HTML with WebMania.   It includes the Forms Wizard that is in WebForms.    This saves having to really learn Java or JavaScript. I paid for a legal license on it, but you can get a shareware copy off the Internet,   at http://www.q-d.com/      It does frames, and that line crawling across the bottom line, etc. 

2. Look at the output,   the file that WebMania generates, and create a simple program to generate the same kind of HTML tags, in the language of your choice. 

3. With a file of simple questions, generate an HTML page, using this simple program. Mine also generates a file of question_variable_names, and answers, for checking later. 

4. Install the HTML test page at a certain URL address,   or local pathname. 

5. The students use Netscape to take the test, sending the answers to the email address of your choice. This is embedded in the HTML test page. 
[Question: what happens when you try to "send email"   in the Intranet?? 
Find equivalent.]

6. You or a grader inputs the answers from each one with Eudora, for instance. 
In my programs,   GetResponses (GetResp.bas)   splits the continuous character stream into separate lines. 

7. Another simple program, ProcessAnswer (PROCANSR.bas), checks the answers against the list of question_variable_names, and answers, generated above, in #3. This simple program prints out a report, showing missed questions, and also generates a grade. 

Eventually, I suppose I could write these simple programs in Java, but for now, it is not on my agenda. 

I am interested in working with teachers who would like to learn this technology.

Samples are at
http://www.snowcrest.net/soza/nz_qury.htm
http://www.snowcrest.net/soza/mensa1.htm

Shari Soza dba SHARI SOZA ENTERPRISES 
Personal Sovereignty Support Systems, Philosopher Futurist Consultant,
NutriZen\ BodyEquations, Mensan, Time-Matrix Translation, Change Consultant, Stress Depletion Consultant, Dispute Resolution, Creating A Future