Blackboard: Online Exam Tips for Students

If your course is in Original Course View, see the Original Course View tutorial collection.

The following information applies only to online exams/quizzes delivered through Blackboard. Online exams have many different available settings, which allow them to be set for single or multiple attempts, with a specific date and time settings, with timer restrictions that submit automatically and/or with password protection. An exam might display a single question at a time, or may offer the ability to stop/save and resume the exam. Other exams may be configured so questions are pulled in random order from a question pool. In certain courses, exams may require the use of Respondus LockDown Browser. For additional information about installing and using Lockdown Browser, refer to the separate Respondus LockDown Browser tutorial.

Contact your instructor ahead of time if you have any questions about your specific exam format. Review the following tips and please call the CMU Help Desk (989-774-3662) if you encounter any problems while taking your exam.

Before Starting an Online Quiz or Exam

• Review Blackboard’s System Requirements and Recommendations article to ensure that your device meets the specifications. Use this article to ensure that you are using a Blackboard certified or compatible browser. Additionally, make sure that your antivirus software is up to date as spyware and viruses may interfere with taking exams.
• Taking exams on a phone or mobile device is not recommended! For the best results, use a desktop or laptop computer.
• For wireless internet users, a hard-wired connection plugged directly into a network jack or router is highly recommended over a wireless connection as it provides a more stable connection.
• Review the basic details of the exam. Blackboard will display the following relevant information in the right-hand menu that opens before you may launch the assessment:
  • The due date
  • Details on whether you may submit the exam or begin a new attempt after the due date
  • The time limit
  • Number of allowed attempts
  • Current attempt number
  • Whether Lockdown Browser and/or a password are required
  • The option to review prior attempts, instructor feedback, your total score, and the correct answers
    • Note: This option may only become available after a specified due date or condition.
  • The maximum point total
  • If there are multiple attempts allowed, how the final grade is determined (i.e., the attempt with the highest score, lowest score, average)
  • The maximum extra credit point total
  • Whether the current exam is a group assessment
  • Whether the current exam uses a rubric
  • Whether SafeAssign is used for this exam
  • The description (this is usually a small space to include some extra details about the assessment)

• If the exam must be taken within a specific time window, do not wait until the last minute to take it. Should you encounter any difficulties, there may not be enough time to resolve the issue before the deadline.

While Taking the Exam

• The settings covered previously will remain visible as you take the assessment.
• Your answers save automatically regardless of the question type (multiple choice, true or false, essay, etc.). There is no need to manually save your responses.
• If the test is timed, a small bar appears at the top of your screen clarifying the remaining time left. If you would rather not see this bar, select the eyeball icon to hide it. To unhide the timer, select the eyeball icon again.
  • Additionally, Blackboard will always track and display the number of remaining questions in this same space.

• Timed tests will automatically submit once the timer runs out.
• If you skip or miss a question, Blackboard will notify you. Clicking “Cancel” will display each of the missed questions only.
  • Note: This does not occur when backtracking is prohibited

• You may filter the exam by question type using the drop-down box at the bottom of the screen.

• If you are taking a group exam, one person will submit the test on behalf of the team.
• Depending on the exam’s configuration, review each of your responses before submitting your work.

Configurations

Your exams may take on any of the following configurations:

• Display all questions: This configuration allows you to view all exam questions at once. You may review and edit previous answers as needed.
• Display one question at a time (backtracking allowed): Blackboard displays one question at a time. You may use the options at the bottom of the screen to navigate between questions.
• One Question at a time (Backtracking not allowed): Blackboard displays one question at a time. You may only use the “Next” option at the bottom of the screen and cannot return to previous answers to revise them.