TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What are Tests?
• Prepare for Your Test
• Tests in Ultra Courses
• Tests in Original Courses
• Tips for Taking Online Tests
• View Test Grades and Feedback

What are Tests?

Online tests, like paper-and-pencil tests, contain a variety of question types such as multiple choice, short answer, or matching. Taking online tests allows your instructor to use features such as automated grading, allowing multiple attempts, time limits, multimedia in questions, and time ranges. 

Prepare for Your Test

Prepare for your test by doing the following:

• Accommodations: If you need accommodations, including extended time, reach out to your instructor in advance.
• Plan Ahead: Plan to take your test in one sitting. Before you begin, review the the due date, number of attempts, whether the test is timed, etc.
• Multiple Attempts: You may be able to take a test multiple times. Review the test information to see how many tries you will have for the test. If you have multiple attempts, your instructor will control how the grade is calculated.
• Internet Connection: Make sure you use a strong, reliable internet connection. As a best practice, do not take your test on a mobile device.
• Timer: If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open it.

Once you begin your test do not refresh the page, close the browser window/tab, or click the back button! Doing so may cause an error in the system.

Tests in Ultra Courses

You may access your test in your Activity Stream, your Calendar, or from within your course. Click on the test link to open the Details & Information.

The Details & Information area will list the due date, number of attempts, maximum points, timer, etc. Read this information carefully before you begin. Click Start Attempt to take your test.

If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open it. Once you begin the test, you can hide the timer to relieve pressure.

Once you begin your test do not refresh the page, close the browser window/tab, or click the back button! Doing so may cause an error in the system.

As you take your test, your answers will be auto saved two seconds after you’ve added your answer. Essay question responses are saved every 10 seconds while you’re typing and also again 2 seconds after you’ve stopped typing. Every time an answer has been auto saved, you will see a Last saved notification at the bottom of the test.

Once you have finished your test, double check your answers and then click Submit.

If you try to submit a test with unanswered questions, an alert will appear showing the number of unanswered questions. You can decide whether to submit the test or keep working.

For more information and detailed instructions, refer to the Tests (Ultra Courses) support page or watch the Test Information and Preparation (Ultra Courses) tutorial video or the  Test Taking and Submission (Ultra Courses) tutorial video.

Tests in Original Courses

You may access your test in your Activity Stream, your Calendar, or from within your course. Click on the test link to open

To take your test, navigate to the test and click the title to open.

Before you begin, review the instructions and make note of the due date, number of attempts, maximum points, time limit, etc. Once you have reviewed the instructions, click Begin to take your test. This will launch your test.

If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open it. Once you begin the test, you can hide the timer to relieve pressure.

Once you begin your test do not refresh the page, close the browser window/tab, or click the back button! Doing so may cause an error in the system.

Test information, including instructions, is located at the top of the test. If you have any questions about the test, contact your instructor.

As you work through your test, answers are saved automatically. You may also click Save Answer next to each question or Save All Answers at the top or bottom of the page.

Once you have finished your test, double check your answers and then click Save and Submit.

For more information and detailed instructions, refer to the Tests and Surveys (Original Courses) support article or watch the Taking a Test (Original Courses) video tutorial.

Tips for Taking Online Tests

Keep the following in mind as you take your test:

• Use a Strong, Reliable Internet Connection: While you may be able to use the Blackboard App to take tests, we strongly discourage it. When taking tests, we recommend using a computer and a reliable network connection.
  • If you lose internet connection during your test, you’ll receive a Connection lost warning. Do not refresh the page or use your browser back button! Check your settings to see if you are connected to the internet.
  • Once your internet connection is restored, your work will auto-save and you will be notified.
• Timer: If your test is timed, do not begin the test until you are ready. The timer will start as soon as you open the test. Once you begin the test, you can hide the timer to relieve pressure.
• Read the Instructions Carefully: Pay close attention to the test instructions. The requirements may vary from course to course, and assignment to assignment.
• Do not refresh the page, close the browser window/tab, or click the back button: Refreshing your page, closing your browser window/tab, or clicking the back button may cause an error in the system. If you experience problems during a test, contact your instructor immediately.
• Read and Review: Read each question carefully and double-check your answers.
• Progress Bar: Use the test progress bar to track test completion.
• Multiple Answer Questions: For multiple choice questions with multiple answers, your instructor controls whether you are penalized for incorrect choices. Make sure you read these questions carefully and only select the answers you believe to be correct.

View Test Grades and Feedback

Your instructor will choose when you can see your grade and feedback. In some cases you may be able to view your score immediately after submitting your test. In other cases, your instructor will release grades after all the tests have been graded. 

For more information on viewing your grades and feedback, refer to the Viewing Grades in myLesley support article.