Blackboard Ultra: Taking Tests

Instructors use tests to assess your knowledge of course content and objectives. Your instructor assigns point values to questions in a test. You submit your test for grading and the results are recorded. You can view your grades when your instructor makes them available to you.

• Start your test as soon as you can. If your instructor makes a test available for three days, plan to take the test early on the first day. If you have an issue, you'll have time to contact technical support and your instructor.
• Read all of the instructions. If you have any trouble with your test or understanding test questions, contact your instructor immediately.
• Check your internet connection.
  • A wired connection is usually more reliable than a wireless connection.
  • Check with your instructor and institution before you take a test with a cellular data connection. Most institutions will advise you to avoid a cellular data connection.
• Don't refresh the page, close the window, or use the browser's back button while you take a test. If you have problems during a test, contact your instructor immediately.

1. You can access tests from multiple areas, including both in and outside your courses. For example, you can access tests in the Activity Stream or in the Calendar if your instructor added due dates. You can also access tests from Content and Gradebook from inside a course.  Find the test you wish to take.
    
2. Click on the title of the test to open Test Information Panel.
   
3. Be sure to read the details and information about the test. This can include due dates, time limits, total number of attempts, total points, as well as information about proctored testing and access codes.
    
4. When you are ready to begin the test, click on Start attempt

If your test includes an access code, you need to enter the code before you click Start Attempt. If you do not know the access code, you will need to reach out to your instructor.

If your test includes a timer, you will be see a dialog box display after you click Start Attempt.  If the test is set to Auto-Submit, you will see the Start the Timer? dialog box.  If the test allows you to have extra time to work after the time limit, you will see the Time limit dialog box.  Read these boxes thoroughly and be prepared for the timer to begin once you click either Start Timer or Continue.

Don't use the browser's back button during a test or survey as this may cause loss of data. If you have problems during a test, contact your instructor immediately.

A. Details & Information Panel: This displays information about your test settings

B. Time remaining: If your test includes a time limit, the amount of time in minutes will display here.  You can click the eye icon to hide the time limit.

C. Questions remaining: This shows how many questions remain to be answered.

D. Page count: Tests can have multiple pages. This indicates which page you are on and how many pages remain.

E. Question: This is an example of a multiple choice question. Other question types include essay, fill-in-the-blank, matching, and more.

F. Continue: The continue button advances to the next page.

G. Last Saved indicator: Tests are automatically saved as you go.  This indicator tells you when the last time your progress was saved.

H. Progression information: some tests do not allow you to return to previous pages.

I. Save and Close: this button saves your progress and exits the test. If your test includes a timer, the timer will continue to count down and you will need to return to submit the test.

J. Submit: this button will save your progress and submit your responses to your instructor for grading.

1. Click Submit when you have completed your test.
    
2. Confirm the submission by clicking Submit again.
   
3. The Your submission was successful! dialog will display to verify your test has properly submitted.
   

Many questions can be automatically graded but some (like Essays) must be graded by your instructor.  Additionally your instructor controls when scores, correct answers, and feedback are visible to students.  Reach out to your instructor if you are unable to view your test results in a timely manner.

Learn more about grading on Blackboard's help page on Grades and Feedback.