Overview of Tests in Blackboard
"Tests" in Blackboard include both computer graded tests and essay tests. The are created or imported to the "Test Manager" which is located in the Control Panel under Course Tools then Tests, Surveys and Pools. For students to have access, they must be "deployed" in a Content Area or Folder. When they are deployed a column is automatically created in the Gradebook (Grade Center). Test options may be set to limit availability, add passwords, set time limits, determine level of feedback, etc.
Creating New Tests
Tests may be created online in Blackboard or can be imported in a variety of formats. To create a new test online:
- Go to the Control Panel, click on Course Tools, then on Tests, Surveys and Pools
- Click on Tests and then Build Test
- After adding a title, description and instructions, the next page will be the Test Canvas, where you can add questions
- A test created this way will be located in the Test Manager but will not be deployed (posted) for students
OR
- Go to a Content Area or Folder and from the "Assessment" menu choose "Test".
- Here you'll have the option to either create a new Test or choose an existing (but not yet deployed) test from the manager.
Learn more about creating tests and about question types:
Importing tests
- Many publishers provide test banks or test creation tools. Contact your publisher's rep for information and support.
- UAS has a site license for a Windows test creation program called "Respondus" (Windows only)
- An alternative way to generate a file for importing tests is to use this Online Blackboard Test Generator from Northern Wisconsin Technical College.
Importing a Single Test from a UAS Blackboard Course
Step-by-Step Instructions: Copy a Single Test from One Blackboard Course to Another (pdf)
Importing Quizzes and Essays from older UAS Online courses
Quizzes and Essays from UAS Online may be imported into the Test Manager. At this time, the suggested answers for Essay questions cannot be imported, although they can be added later.
Step-by-step instructions:Exporting from UAS Online and Importing Into Blackboard (pdf) (Note - Screenshots in these instructions are from an older version of Blackboard)
Deploying (posting) tests and setting options
You can deploy a test in any Content Area or folder. Many people choose to make a folder for each week or unit and put the relevant tests there. Others choose to create a Content Area (item on course menu) specifically for tests. In that case a "Course Link" can be used to put a link to that test elsewhere in the course. You want to make sure your students know where to look when they come to the course site. It is a good idea to have one place that lists all the activities for that week or unit.
- How to Set Test Options (Blackboard Video)
- Creating an Honor Code quiz that students must agree to before gaining access to an exam (from Purdue University)
Tests and the Gradebook
When a Test is deployed it is automatically linked to the gradebook and a new column is created. It goes into the Category "Tests", but you can create new Categories and re-arrange columns.
Reviewing an Online Test
- Students can have difficulty figuring out how to view test grades and feedback if they are not made available immediately. This guide for students to view their feedback may be helpful to share with them.
- View Grade Details (Blackboard Video)