OMR Technology

By Luke

OMR (which stands for optical mark reader or optical mark recognition) is quite an old technology which is extensively in use specially to process data entry forms in various institutes and companies. It is the ability for OMR hardware to identify predefined ‘marks’ on hard copy sheets of paper and produce an outcome based on the marks.

The uses vary from recording words to recording marks in public examinations mainly in multiple choice answer sheets. The system does have some negative aspects as much as it has a few good points. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of OMR.

Advantages

One of the main and obvious advantages is its speed. Recording details off input sheets is done pretty quickly.

The automated system means data entry by employees is not involved and so typing errors and costs are reduced.

Disadvantages

As OMR is used to obtain information from the general public clear instructions on how to mark their choice should be provided, apart from clear instructions which are generally practiced when OMR is used, there is still a high rejection rate from the OM reader as they are being wrongly filled.

As the reader is quite sensitive the forms should be in perfect condition, if they are crushed or even folded it may be rejected by the OM reader.

So there you have it, a little you need to know about OMR, like all technology in use there is good and bad, but OMR is still extensively used by government organizations, institutions and companies. This technology maybe replaced in the near future with a more foolproof system but methods are still being experimented with to make the system more accurate.

Perhaps with the wider use of OMR, the rejection rate may reduce with time as the public would be more aware.

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