Blackboard Tip

Create and Deploy a Test

Introduction

Creating a test in Blackboard is a two-step process. First you create the items; then you deploy the test by making it available from a content page of your choice.

Directions

Create A Test

• On the Control Panel, under Assessments, click Test Manager.
• On the Test Manager screen, click Add Test.

• On the Test Info screen:
  • Enter the Name of the test, for example, Chapter 1 Quiz
  • What you enter in the Description field will display to students under the named link for the test. Use it to more fully describe the test, for example, Covers the first four objectives of Module 1.
  • In the Instructions field enter any instructions you have for taking the test, for example, the hours/days it will be available.
  • Click Submit. The Test Canvas screen appears.

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• On the Test Canvas screen, you build your questions.
• Choose a question type from the drop down menu. Then click Go.
• The screens presented will ask you for the information to complete the question, the correct answer, and feedback you wish to give for correct and incorrect answers. NOTE: Wrong answer feedback is a powerful tool for helping students understand their errors in thinking. Even placed at the end of the test, as Blackboard does, it is still very helpful. Think of quizzes as a way to understand how students are thinking and guiding them.
• When you have built your question, click Submit. You are returned to the Test Canvas page to build another question of any type.
• When you have entered all your questions, click OK at the bottom of the Test Canvas Page.
• The Test Manager screen appears with your new test listed. Note that it says No under Deployed. This means that it is not currently in the course, available to students

Deploy the Test

Now the test exists. Next you place the test in the spot in the course where you want it to display and make it available for use. This is called deploying the test.

• On the Control Panel, go to the section of the course where you want the test to reside, for example Course Documents or Assignments.

• Click on Add Test as shown below.

• On the Add Test screen, your test should be listed next to Select an existing test.
• Click on the test and then click Submit.
• The next screen will tell you that "The test was successfully added." Click OK.
• The Modify Test screen appears. Select Modify test options by clicking on it. Here you can change the test name and add an introductory paragraph. There are many options here but the one you must set is 2-Test Availability. Click Yes after Do you want to make the link visible? This makes the link to the test visible to students.
• In the 3-Test Feedback section, choose Detailed Results, Correct Answers and Feedback in order to display the feedback you have written.
• In the 4-Test Presentation section you may have the questions shown all at once on one screen or each question presented on a different screen. Regardless of which you choose, the feedback does not display until the last question is answered.
• When you have chosen all your options, click Submit.
• The screen tells you that your test options were modified. Click OK. You can change these options if you dont like the way the test works, however, you should do it before students start taking the test.
• To preview the test, log on to Blackboard using a student logon if you have one. Only with a student logon will you see exactly what a student will see.

Complete directions are available in the Blackboard documentation by choosing Manual in the Support menu in the Control Panel.