Taking Tests on Blackboard
Preparing to take your online test
- Make sure you have enough time to complete the test before you start it.
- Minimize interruptions. Turn off anything that may distract you from the test or interrupt your internet connection, such as pop-up blockers, instant messagers, and email notifications.
- If you use AOL, you must minimize your AOL browser and use another browsers such as Internet Explorer or Netscape to take your test. Before taking your test, you should set your AOL browser to a page such as http://www.sector101.fsnet.co.uk/keepalive/ or http://www.cnn.com that occasionally refreshes so your AOL connection does not time out.
- If you use a dial-up ISP, make sure you have turned off your call waiting, which may interrupt your connection and make Blackboard think you are finished with the test. Also, if your ISP tends to timeout, you should set another browser window to a page such as http://www.sector101.fsnet.co.uk/keepalive/ or http://www.cnn.com that occasionally refreshes. Also, if you know that your ISP is unreliable during certain times of day, take your test at a different time.
- Assessments can time out after 3 hours of inactivity. Clicking answers and typing do not count as activity. If you plan to spend several hours on your exam, you should use the Save button (if the instructor has made this available to you) at the bottom of the page to save often.
- Consider taking the test on-campus. If you are having difficulties taking online tests from home, you can come to campus and use the ARC to take your exams. You may especially want to consider this if your home computer or internet connection is unreliable.
Test taking tips
- Read the instructions! It is important to read the instructions before taking any test.
- Some tests are completed differently than others. "Force Completion" tests require that you finish the test in one sitting. Once you leave the test, your score is recorded and you are not allowed to take it again. "Multiple Attempt" tests allow you to enter and leave the test as often as you want, but you need to be sure to submit your answers once you are finished.
- Be ready to take the test when you click on it! If it is a Forced Completion test, you will not be able to click on the link again.
- If you have essay questions, you may want to write up your answers in Word so you have a back-up. Don't use any fancy formatting, because you will lose it when you copy and paste your answers into the test.
Submitting your test and confirming the submission
- Make sure you click the Submit button when you finish your test, or your results will not be recorded.
- When you click Submit, you should get a confirmation page that may include feedback for your test.
- You can confirm your submission if your instructor allows you to view your grades. In the Tools section of your course, click the My Grades link and find the test you have just completed. You will see one of three things:
- a score for your exam
- an !, which means your test need to be graded, but it was correctly submitted
- a ? or a padlock, which means your test did not submit correctly
What if it doesn't work?
If you see a lock in your grades or otherwise feel that your exam did not submit correctly, first contact your instructor. They can reset your test and allow you to take it again. If you cannot reach your instructor, you can contact the Distance Learning office, but we generally do not reset exams without the permission of the instructor.