Creating and Deploying Tests - Set the Creation Settings

Instructors use BeachBoard tests to check the knowledge and skill level of users enrolled in courses. Tests can be used as either examinations or homework assignments and permit instructors to assign point values to each question. When a Student completes a test it is submitted to BeachBoard for grading. The results are recorded in the Gradebook.

Before creating a test, instructors should take time to consider the structure of the test they want to create and the types of questions that will be included. Instructors should also consider deployment and setting options, such as test presentation and feedback, how the test will be graded, and the availability of multiple attempts.

In addition, instructors should also consider what type of knowledge is being tested and select question types tailored to the subject matter. For example, on an English test, a series of Short Answer questions may be the best format, while for a Science test, a mix of Multiple Choice, Matching and Fill in the Blank questions would better test student knowledge. It is also helpful to consider flexibility when scoring questions. Will partial credit be acceptable for some or all questions? Are some questions very difficult and may count as extra credit?

Finally, instructors should be aware that there is currently no technological solution in BeachBoard or, for that matter, in any other online assessment tool to completely prevent students from cheating on a test, sharing a test's questions and answers with other students, copying and pasting test questions to an external file, manually writing the test questions and answers on a piece of paper, taking photographs of the test questions and answers, or recording a movie of the test using a screen recorder software program or video camera.

Utilizing a variety of assessment tools designed to support faculty efforts to enforce academic integrity is highly recommended.  Alternative assessment can include many BeachBoard tools.

Step One: Add a Test

Step Two: Set the Creation Settings

Once you add a test, BeachBoard automatically opens the Test Canvas where you can add, modify, or remove questions. [You can return to the Test Canvas at any time by clicking on the Test Manager link in your course Control Panel and then clicking the Modify button to the right of the test's name.]

Before you create your first question, you need to the set the test's options, such as question feedback, categorization of questions, and default point value.

1. Click the Creation Settings link to the right of the Go button at the top of the Test Canvas page.
2. Select the appropriate options:
   • Provide feedback for individual answers - Select this check box to include the option to enter feedback for individual answers rather then just one set of feedback for correct or incorrect answers. Individual feedback cannot be provided for answers in True/False questions, Multiple Answer questions, Ordering and Matching questions.
   • Add images, files, and external links to questions - Select this check box to include the option to attach images, files, and external links to questions.
   • Add images, files, and external links to answers - Select this check box to include the option to attach images, files, and external links to answers.
   • Add categories, topics, levels of difficulty, and keywords to questions - Select this check box to include the option to create categories for questions. This option also enables instructors to add keywords to questions. When searching for questions from a Question Pool or other tests, instructors may search for questions by category and keyword.
   • Specify default point value for questions - Select this option and all questions will automatically have the same point value. Enter the point value in the Default point value: field. Instructors must set the Default Point Value before creating questions for it to be effective. If the default point value is changed, only questions created after it is modified will have the new point value. Questions created before the modification will have the old point value. For example, set the Default Point Value to ten then create questions in the test. These questions will have a point value of ten. Next, change the Default Point Value to 15, and create additional questions in the test. These new questions will have a point value of 15, but the questions created initially will still have a point value of ten.
   • Specify partial credit options for answers - Select this option to make partial credit available for questions included in this test. If selected, an option to give partial credit appears when questions are created.
   • Specify random ordering of answers - Select this option to make random ordering available for answers included in this test. If selected, an option to randomize the ordering of answers appears when questions are created.
   • Specify horizontal or vertical display of answers - Select this option to make answer display options available for this test. If selected, an option to display answers horizontally or vertically [default] appears when questions are created.
   • Specify numbering options for answers - Select this option to numbering options available for answers included in this test. By default, test answers do not a letter or number preceding those answers.
3. Click the Submit button.
4. BeachBoard displays a receipt showing what settings have been changed. Click the OK button to return to the Test Canvas.

Step Three: Add Questions

Step Four: Deploy the Test

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