How To Deploy a Test Given in the Online Testing Center

Last updated January 15, 2008

The process below can be used by any instructor wanting to create an Announcement containing a link to a Bb7 Test, including tests not given in the Online Testing Center.

However, tests given in the Online Testing Center MUST adhere to the following instructions. Security settings in the Testing Center restrict student access in course sites to the Announcements and Staff Information areas. Other areas of a course site are NOT accessible.

1. Create the Test in the Blackboard Test Manager. 
   Do not use puntuation in the title.
   If necessary, you can click here to open Blackboard in a new window.
    
   
    
2. Select the Course Area in the Control Panel where you want to Add the Test (also know as Deploying the Test).
    
   For tests that will be administered in the testing lab: We recommend you always add Tests in the Assignments Area, within a non-visible folder named Tests.
    
   For tests that will not be administered in the testing lab: We recommend you always add Tests in the Assignments Area, within either a visible or non-visible folder named Tests.
    
   
   
   
   
   Once you have created your folder called Tests in the Assignments area (or have located the area you have chosen to place your tests):
    
3. Click the +Test icon in the menu to Add a Test to that location.
4. Select the title of the desired Test from the list of existing Tests.
5. Click Submit, and click OK on the confirmation page.
6. Click the "Modify the Test Options" link.
7. Enter a Test Name and Description.
8. Select the following Test Options (Red indicates required selections):
    

   Launch Item in external window	No
   Do you want to make the link visible?	Yes
   Do you want to create an announcement for this Quiz?	Yes
   Allow multiple attempts	Unchecked
   Force Completion	See Note 1 below
   Set time limit	See Note 2 below
   Set password	See Note 3 below and step 10
   Feedback Mode	Score only (recommended)
   Presentation Mode	All at Once
   Randomize Questions	Optional

   
   
   ***Note1 *** It is the policy here at the AT online testing lab that if an exam is started it must be finished and submitted before the student exits the lab. If forced completion is checked after starting a test the student will be unable to get back in if for any reason they, exit the test, exit the browser, the server times out and closes the connection or any other software error closes the program. Also if the computer crashes, the powercord gets kicked out or there is a power failure the student will be unable to get back in. If any of these events occur then someone with blackboard administrator rights has to either temporally un-check the force completion option to let them back or the other option is to reset the test, however with resetting the test any answers that were saved up to the point the student left the test will be lost when resetting the test. Any security procedure such as this solves prolems in one area and creates problems in others. There is an increased adminstrative overhead associated with enabling this option for you and blackboard support. Whether or not you select this option is up to you, we will not change the selection. However keep in mind the consequences of selecting or not selecting this option.
   
   ****Note 2**** There is a known issue with the timer causing slow test response if there are one or more essay questions on the exam. This problem becomes exponentialy worse with addition of other questions of any type. There is not a fix for this as yet. Do not set a time limit if you have essay or short answer questions on your test. If you need to know how long the students took to take the exam you can enable this after the exam is over to see the time.
   
   ****Note 3**** If the you are having your test proctored in the online testing lab they will generate the password. However a temporary password should be put in case the test becomes visable.
   
   
9. It is important that you check both Display After and Display Until and set the date and time or the exam will not deploy correctly. Be aware that our hours of operation are Mon - Thurs 8 AM to 8 PM and Friday 8 AM to 5 PM
   
10. Check the Password box and put a temporary password in the Password field.
    
    
    
    
11. Leave the Self-assessment Options set to; Include this test in Gradebook score calculations.
    
    
    
    
12. Click Submit.
13. Click OK on the confirmation page.
14. Click OK on the Modify Test page.
     
    To create the text for an Announcement that links directly to the Test, do the following:
     
15. Right-click on the link to the Test (the link you just created in the steps above) and choose Copy Shortcut.
     
    
     

13. Enter the information below and click Submit.

    Enter the name of your test (for example, Test 1 or Mid-term Exam):
    

    Paste the Copied Shortcut (step 12 above) into the box below and click Submit.
    

Blackboard Assistance at Boise State email:  blackboard@boisestate.edu    phone:  (208) 426-2583 (8-5 Mon-Fri)  office:  Education 420 Academic Technologies Online Testing Center email:  curtisblevins@boisestate.edu    phone:  (208) 426-1435 (Front Desk)  office:  E 418