The most popular full-featured OCR and OMR software packages run in the $200 to $600 range, respectively. Furthermore, even high-end multi-GHz computers are available for less than $1000.

For a limited time, educators can receive a free copy of Remark Office OMR Lite, a flexible tool for automatically processing surveys, tests and office forms. Those in the U.S. need only pay a S&H fee ...

As with OMR software, OCR technology hasn't changed much in the past decade. The programs run faster because the hardware is more advanced, but the basic OCR technology has been stable for years.