Editing the Test Settings

These instructions will demonstrate how to set up and change the test settings on a test that has already been deployed to a content area.

Accessing the Test Options

Image showing a test with an arrow pointing to the expand contextual menu button located next to the test name, with instructions to click the button next to the test.  In the menu, Edit the Test Options is outlined with a red circle with text instructing users to select edit the test options.

To access the test options, locate the exam you would like to edit the settings for.  Hover over the name of the test, and click the chevron button that appears next to the test and select Edit the Test Options from the menu that appears.

Setting up the Test Information Settings

Image of the Section labeled Test Information with the following annotations: 1.Name: The test can be renamed by entering a new name in this field.2.Choose Color of Name: The color selector will allow you to change the color of the test link.3.Content Link Description: You can type a description of the test in the space here.4.Test Description: The description that was created when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here.  If a test description was not created, this item will not appear.  To make the description visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Test Description to students before they begin the test.5.Test Instructions:  Test instructions that were entered when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here. If test instructions were not entered, this item will not appear.  To make the instructions visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Instructions to students before they begin the test.6.Open Test in New Window: Select Yes to open the test in a new window, or select No to open the test in the same window (optional)

You will now see a screen labeled Test Options that allows you to set up how the test appears to students.  The Test Information section allows you to edit the information that is shown to students in the link for the test.

  1. Name: The test can be renamed by entering a new name in this field.
  2. Choose Color of Name: The color selector will allow you to change the color of the test link.
  3. Content Link Description: You can type a description of the test in the space here.
  4. Test Description: The description that was created when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here.  If a test description was not created, this item will not appear.  To make the description visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Test Description to students before they begin the test.
  5. Test Instructions: Test instructions that were entered when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here. If test instructions were not entered, this item will not appear.  To make the instructions visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Instructions to students before they begin the test.
  6. Open Test in New Window: Select Yes to open the test in a new window, or select No to open the test in the same window (optional)

Setting up the Test Availability and Timer

Image of the Section labeled Test Availability with the following annotations: 1.Make the Link Available: Select Yes to make the test visible to students. Note: If the test availability is set to No, students will not be able to access the test, even if the test availability dates are specified.2.Add a New Announcement: Select Yes to automatically generate a message that the test has been posted.  (If you want a more detailed message, it is recommended to create your own announcement.)3.Multiple Attempts: Check the box to allow for multiple attempts, and select either to Allow Unlimited Attempts or select Number of Attempts and enter the number of attempts allowed.  Leave this option unchecked for a single attempt.4.Score Attempts Using: If you have selected the option to allow multiple attempts, this dropdown menu will allow you to select how to grade multiple attempts (Last graded attempt, Highest grade, Lowest grade, First graded attempt, Average of graded attempts).5.Force Completion: Enabling this option will prevent students from reentering the test if they exit the test without submitting.   If students encounter techincal problems, then they would not be able to reenter the exam. This option is NOT RECOMMENDED. To ensure students complete the test within the test time limit, please enable the timer and turn Auto Submit on.6.Set Timer: Check the box to enable a time limit for the test, and enter the duration in minutes: The maximum duration is 300 minutes (five hours).7.Auto-Submit: Select On to enable Auto Submit, in which the test will automatically submit after the timer ends. The timer will run continuously, regardless of whether or not the student is in the test at that moment. If you select Off, students can continue past the time limit, but the time is noted in the grade center.8.Display After: Check the box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test would become available to students.9.Display Until: Check this box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test is no longer available to students.  After the specified date, the test is no longer visible to students, and students can no longer access the test.10.Password: To enforce requirements for students to take the exam in a classroom or proctored environment, check this box and enter the desired password that would be distributed to proctors and entered prior to the student starting the test. Note: If Lockdown Browser is enabled for the test, DO NOT change the password that appears on the Test Options page.  This password is randomly generated when Lockdown Browser is enabled, and removing or modifying the password on the Test Options page will break the Lockdown Browser integration. If you wish to set a password for a test that requires the Lockdown Browser, please read the guide on Enabling the Lockdown Browser Requirement.

Test Availability allows you to modify the number of attempts students have to take the test, the test timer settings, and the test availability settings.

  1. Make the Link Available: Select Yes to make the test accessible to students. Note: If the test availability is set to No, students will not see the link to access the test, even if the test availability dates are specified, or if test availability exceptions or adaptive release rules are specified.
  2. Add a New Announcement: Select Yes to automatically generate a message that the test has been posted.  (If you want a more detailed message, it is recommended to create your own announcement.)
  3. Multiple Attempts: Check the box to allow for multiple attempts, and select either to Allow Unlimited Attempts or select Number of Attempts and enter the number of attempts allowed.  Leave this option unchecked for a single attempt.
  4. Score Attempts Using: If you have selected the option to allow multiple attempts, this dropdown menu will allow you to select how to grade multiple attempts (Last graded attempt, Highest grade, Lowest grade, First graded attempt, Average of graded attempts).
  5. Force Completion: Enabling this option will prevent students from reentering the test if they exit the test without submitting.   If students encounter technical problems, then they would not be able to reenter the exam. This option is NOT RECOMMENDED. To ensure students complete the test within the test time limit, please enable the timer and turn Auto Submit on.
  6. Set Timer: Check the box to enable a time limit for the test, and enter the duration in minutes: The maximum duration is 420 minutes (seven hours).
  7. Auto-Submit: Select On to enable Auto Submit, in which the test will automatically submit after the timer ends. The timer will run continuously, regardless of whether or not the student is in the test at that moment. If you select Off, students can continue past the time limit, but the time is noted in the grade center.
  8. Display After: Check the box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test would become available to students.
  9. Display Until: Check this box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test is no longer available to students.  After the specified date, the test is no longer visible to students, and students can no longer access the test.
  10. Password: To enforce requirements for students to take the exam in a classroom or proctored environment, check this box and enter the desired password that would be distributed to proctors and entered prior to the student starting the test.

The maximum time duration for a test is 420 minutes (seven hours). If Auto Submit is turned off, students can continue past the allotted 420 minutes.

Warning: Enabling Force Completion is Not Recommended. This option will prevent students from reentering the test in the event of a technical difficulty. In order to ensure completion of the test within the time limit, it is recommended to set the timer and turn Auto-Submit on.

Warning: If Lockdown Browser is enabled for the test, DO NOT change the password that appears on the Test Options page.  This password is randomly generated when Lockdown Browser is enabled, and removing or modifying the password on the Test Options page will break the Lockdown Browser integration. If you wish to set a password for a test that requires the Lockdown Browser, please read the guide on Enabling the Lockdown Browser Requirement.

Setting up the Test Availability Exceptions

Image of Test Availability Exceptions with the Add User or Group button visible.

Test Availability Exceptions allows users to specify students or groups to provide exceptions to the availability settings listed above.  Options for Test Availability Exceptions include the following: Timer, Auto Submit, Number of Attempts, Availability, and Force Completion. To set up availability exceptions, click the Add User or Group button.  For additional information on setting up availability exceptions, please refer to the following guide on Setting up Test Availability Exceptions.

Test availability exceptions allow instructors to easily allow extra time for students or to set up makeup exam sessions.

Using Test Availability Exceptions may cause conflicts with Adaptive Release date and membership roles if these roles are included. Therefore, it would be recommended to use either Test Availability Exceptions or Adaptive Release Date and Membership rules to limit access to content, but it is inadvisable to do both at the same time. Adaptive Release rules using the Grade criterion are unaffected. Adaptive Release options must also be enabled under Course Tools > Customization > Tool Availability. This tool is turned on by default.

Setting up the Due Date

Image of the section labeled Due Date with the following annotations: 1.Due Date: Use the time and date pickers to set up the due date for the item.2.Do not allow students to start the Test if the due date has passed: This option will prevent students from beginning the test after the due date has passed.  If this option is checked, it will supersede any test availability exceptions set up for students completing the test options. The recommended option for enforcing the due date is to set an ending availability date for the test, after which the test disappears completely from the student's view.

Due Date allows you to specify a due date for the assignment that will show up in the student's calendar, as well as in the instructor's Grade Center.  The due date option does not restrict the student's ability to submit after the due date has passed, and items submitted after the due date would be marked as Late

  1. Due Date: Use the time and date pickers to set up the due date for the item.
  2. Do not allow students to start the Test if the due date has passed: This option will prevent students from beginning the test after the due date has passed.  If this option is checked, it will supersede any test availability exceptions set up for students completing the test options.

The recommended option for enforcing the due date is to set an ending availability date for the test, after which the test disappears completely from the student's view.

Setting up Grading Options

Image of Self Assessment Options with the following annotations: 1.Include this Test in Grade Center Score Calculations: Check the first checkbox to include the test in Grade Center calculations.2.Hide Results for this Test Completely from Instructor and the Grade Center: DO NOT check the second option if you are using the test for grading.  If you select this option, you will not be able to access the assessment results, and student attempts will be deleted if this option is reversed.

Self-assessment Options determines how Blackboard handles the scoring of the exam in relation to the Grade Center grade calculations.

  1. Include this Test in Grade Center Score Calculations: Check the first checkbox to include the test in Grade Center calculations.
  2. Hide Results for this Test Completely from Instructor and the Grade Center: DO NOT check the second option if you are using the test for grading.  If you select this option, you will not be able to access the assessment results, and student attempts will be deleted if this option is reversed.

Setting up Test Feedback Options

Section 6: Show Test Results and Feedback to Students allows instructors to determine what type of feedback students are able to view.  Instructors can set up to two rules for displaying feedback to students. A selection is required for the first rule, but the second rule is optional.  Students will always be able to see their overall score.

Note: if you do not want students to see the assessment score at all, you would need to hide the column associated with the test in the Grade Center from students' view.

  1. When: Use the dropdown menu to specify when students can view specific feedback for each rule:
Option Description
After submission Students will see their score and selected feedback upon submission of their test
One time view Students can access their score and selected feedback for a single view
After due date Students can access their score and selected feedback after the due date has passed
After availability end date Students can access their score and selected feedback after the test is no longer available to students
On specific date Students can access their score and selected feedback on or after the selected date
After all attempts are graded Students can access their score and selected feedback after all students’ attempts have been graded. 

A second rule is not combined with the One-time View rule, but is applied separately.

If After all attempts are graded is selected, the instructor must manually assign a grade to any student who did not take the exam such as students who have dropped or withdrawn from the course, those marked as unavailable, and the instructor's preview user account.

  1. Score per Question: Checking this option will allow students to see the test questions and their score for each question. Note: This option is selected by default.
  2. Answers: Instructors can check whether students can see all answer choices, the correct answer choices, as well as the choices the students submitted.
  3. Feedback: Checking this option allows students to view question-specific feedback that was entered when creating questions in Blackboard. if the instructor is providing feedback for essay questions, this option must be checked in order for student to view the feedback the instructor has provided.
  4. Show Incorrect Questions: Checking this option will provide a visual indication to students of items marked incorrectly. If this option is unchecked, no visual indicator is provided to indicate whether students answered correctly.

 

Test Feedback Examples

Below are some examples for using the test feedback options to communicate test results to students. When providing results and feedback, it is important for instructors to balance providing informational feedback to students to help them improve their performance with ensuring academic honesty and testing integrity.

Using both rules to selectively release information helps instructors to communicate feedback to students while helping to maintain test integrity. For example, instructors can set When for the first rule to "One time view" and select show incorrect questions so students can see their scores and missed items after completing the test, and then set the second rule to "after due date" and show additional items and feedback to prevent students from sharing answers while the test is underway.

Score per question

Image showing test feedback display with Score per question selected

The screenshot above shows the default setting of Score per Question. Students see the individual questions and they see the earned points and total points for each question on the right.

All Answers, Submitted Answers, Correct Answers, and Feedback

image showing test feedback display with all answers, correct answers, submitted answers, and feedback selected

The screenshot above shows what is displayed when All Answers, Selected Answers, Correct Answers, and Feedback is checked. Students will see the question text and their selected answer below. A red X will show if students responded incorrectly, and a green check will show if the student responded correctly.  Below the selected answers are the individual answer choices with the correct answer indicated by a green check. At the bottom is the displayed response feedback.

Feedback will only display if feedback options are included with the test questions, or entered by the instructor for essay questions.

Show Incorrect Questions

Image showing test feedback display with "show incorrect questions" selected

When Show Incorrect Questions is selected, students will see each question with a graphical indication of whether students answered correctly or incorrectly.

No Feedback Options Selected

Image showing test submission details when no feedback options are selected.

If no feedback options are selected, students will only see their submission details, the grading status, and score.

Setting Up the Test Presentation

Image of Section 7: Test Presentation with the following annotations: 1.All at Once: Choose this option to present the test all at once to students on one screen.2.One at a Time: Choose this option to present one question at a time to students.3.Prohibit Backtracking: Checking this option will prevent students from going back to previous questions they have answered.4.Randomize Questions: Checking this option will display the questions in random order for each attempt. 5. When finished, click the Submit button at the bottom of the page to save the test settings.

Test Presentation allows you to choose how the test is presented to students:

  1. All at Once: Choose this option to present the test all at once to students on one screen.
  2. One at a Time: Choose this option to present one question at a time to students.
  3. Prohibit Backtracking: Checking this option will prevent students from going back to previous questions they have answered.
  4. Randomize Questions: Checking this option will display the questions in random order for each attempt.
  5. When finished, click the Submit button at the bottom of the page to save the test settings and make the exam available to students.