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Tutorial: Creating a Randomized Test in Blackboard

Introduction

Creating a randomized test in Blackboard ensures that each student receives a unique question set, enhancing test security and fairness. This tutorial will guide you through the process of setting up a test using question pools and random blocks.

Part 1: Build an Empty Pool

In this part, we will create an empty question pool to store the test questions we plan to upload. A question pool in Blackboard serves as a collection of reusable questions that can be pulled into quizzes, tests, or exams.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to the Test, Pools, and Surveys section.

  2. Click on Pools. Screenshot of the Blackboard menu displaying the "Tests, Surveys, and Pools" section, with the "Pools" option highlighted.

  3. Here is the main Pools menu where all created pools will be listed. Since we haven't created any yet, the list is empty. Blackboard interface showing the "Pools" section with options to "Build Pool," "Import Pool," and "Import QTI 2.1 Package," but no existing pools.

  4. Click on Build Pool to start creating a new pool. Cursor hovering over the "Build Pool" button in the "Pools" section of Blackboard.

  5. This is the Pool Information Page, where we enter details for our new pool. Blackboard screen for creating a question pool, displaying input fields for the pool's name and description.

  6. Enter a Pool Name (e.g., "My First Question Pool") and click Submit to save it. A filled-in "Pool Information" form with the name "my first question pool," and the cursor clicking the "Submit" button.

  7. The Pool has been successfully created! You will now see a confirmation banner. A purple banner at the top indicates "Success: my first question pool created," with the newly created pool visible in the "Pool Canvas."

Part 2: Import the BBQ Text Questions

Now that we have a question pool, we need to populate it with questions. Instead of adding them manually, we will upload a batch of questions using a preformatted BBQ text file.

Steps:

  1. While inside the Pool information page, click Upload Questions from the menu. Cursor hovering over the "Upload Questions" button on the "Pool information page"" of Blackboard.

  2. This is the Upload Questions screen. Here, we will select the BBQ text file containing the questions. Click Browse Local Files to locate the file on your computer. Blackboard's "Upload Questions" screen, with options to browse for a file and set point values.

  3. After selecting the file, enter a point value for the questions, and click Submit to upload it. Cursor clicking the "Submit" button after selecting the BBQ text file for upload.

  4. If the upload is successful, you will see a confirmation message. A purple confirmation banner saying "Success: 99 questions uploaded," with a summary of the uploaded questions.

  5. Scroll down and you can see the list of imported questions. You can review them to ensure they were uploaded correctly. Blackboard displaying the list of uploaded questions inside the "my first question pool".

Part 3: Build an Empty Test "Assignment"

Now that we have a question pool filled with questions, we need to create a test that students will take. This test, also referred to as an assignment, will be set up in Blackboard and later linked to the pool of questions.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to the Tests section in Blackboard by selecting Tests, Surveys, and Pools, then clicking Tests. Cursor selecting the "Tests" tab in Blackboard, preparing to create a new test.

  2. This is the Tests menu. Since no tests exist yet, we need to create a new one. Click Build Test. Blackboard’s "Tests" section, currently empty, displaying the "Build Test" button.

  3. In the dropdown, click Build Test to start creating the test. Cursor clicking "Build Test" to start creating a new test.

  4. This is the Test Information page. Here, enter a test name, an optional description, and any instructions for students. Test information screen with fields to enter a test name, description, and instructions.

  5. Once you've entered the test details, click Submit to save your test. Cursor clicking the "Submit" button to save the test details.

  6. You will see a confirmation message indicating that your test has been successfully created. A purple confirmation banner at the top of the screen indicating "Success: my first assignment created."

At this point, we have successfully built an empty test. In the next step, we will add randomized questions from the question pool to ensure each student gets a unique set of questions.

Part 4: Add a Random Block to the Assignment of the Pooled Questions

Random blocks pull a set number of questions from a pool to ensure variation. This ensures each student gets a different combination of questions, making tests fairer and reducing the likelihood of answer sharing.

Steps:

  1. On the Test Information page, click Reuse Question > Create Random Block. This allows you to pull a set of randomized questions from the pool. Cursor hovering over the "Reuse Question" menu, selecting "Create Random Block."

  2. A pop-up window will appear, asking you to select the question pool. Choose the question pool you created earlier. Popup window displaying available question pools, with one selected.

  3. Select All Pool Questions to ensure that Blackboard pulls from the full list of available questions. Pop-up window with the mouse pointer hovering over "All Questions" unselected and the question pool empty.

  4. Once selected, the question block area will display the questions from your pool. Pop-up window with the mouse pointer hovering over "All Questions" now selected and a list of questions displayed.

  5. Verify that the correct questions have been added to the test. Click Submit to finalize the random block settings. Scrolled down from before, highlighting the list of questions and the mouse hovered over the submit button.

  6. After submitting, you will see a success message. The test now contains a randomized question block, meaning every student will receive a unique set of questions each time they take the test. Confirmation message at the top of the screen confirming "Random block successfully created."

  7. At this point, you can specify the number of questions to be pulled from the pool for each student and adjust the point value for each question. Final view of the test editor with the randomized block successfully added.

In the next step, we will make the test available to students and configure additional test settings.

Part 5: Make the Assignment Available to Students

Sub Part 5a: Add the Test to the Course

Now that the test is created and contains a randomized question block, we need to make it available to students by adding it to the Assignments Content Area.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to the Assignments Content Area where students will access the test. An empty "Assignments Content Area" prompting the user to add content using the menu above.

  2. Click on Assessments, then select Test from the dropdown menu. Cursor selecting "Test" from the "Assessments" dropdown in the "Assignments Content Area."

  3. The Add Test menu will appear. Select the test you created earlier (e.g., "My First Assignment"). "Add Test" menu appears, with "my first assignment" highlighted as the selected test.

  4. Click Submit to attach the test to the course. A purple banner at the top confirms "Success: my first assignment created."

At this stage, the test is now linked to the Assignments Content Area, but we still need to configure additional settings to control availability and access for students.

Sub Part 5b: Customize Test Settings

Now that the test has been added to the course, we must configure its settings in the Test Options menu. These settings determine how and when students can access the test.

Steps:

  1. Select Yes to make the test available to students. Cursor selecting "Yes" to make the test available to students in the "Test Options" menu.

  2. If you want students to have multiple attempts, choose an attempt limit and select a scoring method (e.g., highest grade). Dropdown menu expanded, with "Highest Grade" selected as the scoring option for multiple attempts.

  3. If you want to set a time limit, check Set Timer, enter the duration, and enable Auto-Submit if desired. Blackboard test settings screen showing the "Set Timer" option checked with a duration of 10 minutes and auto-submit enabled.

  4. Define the Due Date for the test and select the option to prevent students from starting the test after the deadline. The "Due Date" section in Blackboard's test settings, displaying a selected due date with the option checked to prevent students from starting the test after the due date has passed.

  5. Choose feedback settings, such as displaying scores, submitted answers, and incorrect responses after test completion. Blackboard test feedback settings, showing options for displaying test results and feedback to students, with "Score per Question," "Submitted Answers," and "Show Incorrect Questions" checked.

  6. In the Test Presentation section, choose whether to display questions one at a time and enable randomized question order for additional security. The "Test Presentation" section in Blackboard, with the "One at a Time" question display mode selected and the "Randomize Questions" option enabled.

Sub Part 5c: Success!

After configuring the settings, click Submit to finalize the test setup. You will see a confirmation screen indicating that the test is now available to students.

A purple success banner at the top of the "Assignments Content Area" screen, confirming that "my first assignment" has been successfully created.

Conclusion

Congratulations! Your test is now fully set up and available for students. You have successfully: - Created a question pool - Uploaded BBQ text questions - Built a randomized test - Configured test settings and availability

Your students can now access and complete the test within Blackboard. Great job!