This study evaluates the effect of presentation media (PC tablet versus pencil and paper) on the performance,
level of visual fatigue, and subjective preference of those taking visuospatial tests. Fifty university
students participated and performed three visuospatial short-term memory tests and three visuospatial
ability tests by using both types of display media. The display medium substantially affected all of the
measured variables (p < 0.01). On average, the paper–pencil test scores of the visuospatial short-term
memory tests were about 10% higher and the answer time was about 20% shorter than those of the PC
tablet tests. The average paper–pencil test score of the visuospatial ability tests was about 35% higher
than the average test score of the PC tablet test. The visuospatial performance was substantially
decreased under the PC tablet condition compared with that under the pencil–paper condition. In addition,
visual fatigue was greater when participants used the PC tablet than when they used a pencil and
paper.