This section provides some helpful tips when taking a test. This section inclues information about the different types of questions and what you can do as a test taker to optimize your test taking experience.
Please click on the links provided below to the section you wish to access
Test Taking Warnings:
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Warning: It is important that users do not use the Back button in the Browser during an Assessment. This may cause loss of data.
- Warning: When saving each test question during an all-at-once test make sure to click the Save button at the bottom of the page before submitting.
- Warning: In a timed test, if you save and wish to resume the test later the timer will still continue to count down.
- Warning: In a forced completion test you must complete the test. You cannot save and resume the test later.
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Locating Your Test :
Assessments are located within Content Areas in a course. Most tests and assessments are found in the Assignments area of your Blackboard course.
Please follow the steps below to begin taking an Assessment:
1. Locate an Assessment in a course Content Area and click the link associated with it.
2. Click OK to begin the Assessment.
Please note: Instructors may choose to have users enter a password to begin taking an Assessment. If necessary, enter the valid password that was provided to you by your instructor and select Submit to begin the Assessment. The Assessment will continue to prompt for a valid password until the correct one is entered.
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Question Types :
Each test can have several different types of questions. Below is a list of these question types and a brief description.
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Presentation:
Depending on which option your instructor has chosen questions can be displayed one of two ways: all-at-once or one-at-a-time
- All-at-once Assessments present all of the questions at the same time.
- One-at-a-time presents each question at a time.
- To navigate one-at-a-time tests:
- Use the navigation arrows (<<, <, >, or >>). The Question/Section Indicator describes the current location in the Assessment and the overall number of questions. If backtracking is prohibited these arrows will not appear.
- The << allows the user to backtrack to the very first question of the assessment.
- The >> allows the user to move forward to the very last question of the assessment.
- The < allows the user to backtrack to the previous question of the assessment.
- The > allows the user to move forward to the next question of the assessment.
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Saving and Submitting Your Answers:
When taking a test for your course you are allowed to option to save your progress. Depending on the options your instructor has chosen you can either save and resume the test later on.
Save for all-at-once tests:
- When taking an all-at-once test you can use the Save button to the right of each question to save a specific question.
Please note: If you choose to use the Save button to the right of each question you must do this with every other question as well. If you do not do this and you click Submit at the bottom of the page the system will not recognize the rest of the answers you have given.
- You can also use the Save button located at the bottom of the screen next to the Submit button.
Saving for one-at-a-time tests:
- When saving within a one-at-a-time test use the Save button to the right of each question.
- At the very end of the assessment click the Submit button to submit your assessment.
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Multiple Assessment Attempts
- Users may be allowed to take an Assessment multiple times. If multiple attempts are allowed it is noted at the top of the Assessment.
- The Instructor may also set a limit on the number of attempts - which will also be noted at the top of the assessment.
- A link to take the Test again appears if the Test is re-opened.
- The Instructor determines if one or more of the test attempt scores is recorded in the Gradebook.
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Force Completion:
- Users must complete the Assessment the first time it is launched if Force Completion is enabled.
- If Force Completion is enabled it is noted at the top of the Assessment.
- Students may not exit the Assessment and continue working on it at a later date.
- The Save button is available for Students to save the Assessment as they work through it, but they may not exit and re-enter the Assessment.
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Timed Assessment:
- If the Assessment is timed, the remaining time appears in the top right of the browser.
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Prohibit Backtracking:
- Users may not return to questions they have already answered if backtracking is prohibited. If backtracking is prohibited it is noted at the top of the Assessment. When taking an Assessment that does not allow backtracking, an error appears if attempting to use the Back button within the Assessment.
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Feedback and Grades:
The performance results received by the user after completing a Test depend on the options selected by the Instructor. For example, the Instructor may only show the final score for one Test, while for another Test the final score and correct answers are displayed. Feedback includes one or more of the following:
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The final score for the test - displayed numerically with how many points earned.
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The answers they submitted - the asnswers selected by the user for each question of an assessment.
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The correct answers - the correct answers to each question of the assessment.
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Feedback for the questions - feedback provided by the instructor for a particular question or set of questions.
To access feedback and grade information, select the Test in the Content Area or use the View Grades Tool.
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