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Test Creation in Blackboard Using Test Generator Software
The use of test generator software provides the ability to convert an exam into a Blackboard-importable file to bring all test questions in at once, rather than going through the slow process of building questions one at a time directly in a Blackboard course.
Oklahoma Christian University has created a Blackboard Test Generator that can be used for simpler, more straight-forward exams to convert test questions into a Bb-importable file. Questions are typed into a program like Microsoft Word, Notepad, or TextEdit, the required formatting applied, then questions are pasted into the Test Generator to create a downloaded Blackboard file. For assistance with more complex exams, submit a ticket to The Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support’s CoursePro Service.
[IMPORTANT!]: For the Test Generator to provide a downloadable Bb file, test questions *must be* formatted in the manner specified below.
Step 1: Format Questions
Question and Answer layout must EXACTLY MATCH the formatting rules defined by the Test Generator as shared below:
- Available question types: multiple-choice, multiple answer, true / false, essay, fill in the blank, and matching
- Create a document with nothing but the Questions and Answers you wish to import into Bb. This document must not contain titles / headers, descriptions, point values, etc. It should only contain the test questions and answers. Refer to the Question Format shown below for exact formatting requirements by question type
- If you are using Microsoft Word, save your questions using File > Save As > Plain Text (.txt)
NOTE: If you are using a MAC, be sure to select the following additional settings: a) MS-DOS, b) UNCHECK Select insert line breaks, c) CR / LF, d) CHECK Allow character substitution.
- Open the .txt file version of your questions in Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac)
- In Notepad, go to Format, and ensure Word Wrap is unchecked and off. Once Word Wrap is off, you will be able to see where extra return characters are that must be removed for the Test Generator to work correctly. Ensure there is only 1 line between questions
- Mark each correct answer with an Asterisk (*) placed at the very beginning of the line (see example)
- Verify each question formatting is correct (see examples). Carefully review and correct as needed punctuation marks (e.g. apostrophes and quote marks) which may now appear like this:
Question Formatting by Question Type
Question Format
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Format Examples by Question Type
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- EVERY Question and Answer must start with an identifier (typically a number or a letter - this can be either upper or lower case) followed by a period or parenthesis
- Each Question or Answer text must be entered on a single line - NO new lines or return characters
- Separate each question with ONE blank line
- Mark each correct answer with an Asterisk (*)
- Follow the examples provided for each question type to ensure accuracy
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- MULTIPLE CHOICE
- Question on one1. text
- Each Answer on one line: a. text
- Asterisk (*) in front of the correct choice
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1. Which of the following is a prime number?
a) 4
*b) 5
c) 6
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- MULTIPLE ANSWER
- Question on one line: 2. text
- Each Answer on one line: a. text
- Asterisk (*) in front of each correct choice
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2. Which of the following is a prime number?
*a) 2
*b) 3
d) 4
*e) 5
f) 6
*g) 7
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- TRUE / FALSE
- Question on one line: 3. text
- Answer on one line: true
...where the answer must be: t, true, f, or false
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3. 3 is a prime number.
True
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- ESSAY
- Question on one line: 4. Text
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4. Tell me your life story.
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- FILL IN THE BLANK
- Place keyword: blank before the question: blank 5. text
- Each alternative answer on one line: a. text
- If one of the alternative answers is provided, the answer will be marked correct.
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blank 5. Two plus two equals _____.
a. four
b. 4
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- MATCHING
- Place keyword: match before the question: match 6. text
- Separate each matched pair by a slash: a. text/text
- Leave one side blank for entries with no match: b. text/ or c. /text
- Entries will be randomized
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match 6. Match the chapters with their topics.
a) Chapter 13/Exception Handling
b) Chapter 16/File Processing
c) Chapter 10/OOP & Classes
d) Chapter 15/Chars, C-Strings, & the String Class
e) Chapter 12/Not covered in this class
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Step 2: Convert Questions
Convert Questions / Answers to a Bb importable file using Oklahoma Christian University's Test Generator. Copy / Paste your questions and answers into the text box within the Test Generator.
Select either Download Test Questions (to create a test file) or Download Question Pool (to create a file of question pools to pull questions from when creating a test inside Bb).
Any questions with an error are displayed in red, questions that are formatted properly are displayed in green. Correct errors as needed for any questions displayed in red.
Step 3: Import Questions
Based on your selection of either Test Questions or Question Pool provides a .txt (test) or a .zip (pools) file placed in your computer downloads. Access the Blackboard course shell the test is for. Navigate to Course Tools > Tests, Surveys, & Pools. Click on Test if importing a .txt file (test) or Pools if importing a .zip file.
Click on Import Test (.txt test file) or Import Pool (.zip pool file), locate and attach the downloaded .txt or .zip file on your computer, click Select. The test file should be imported into Blackboard. If it is noted the file was not imported due to errors, return to Test Generator and review your steps and formatting.
Once the test or pools are in the Blackboard Course Shell, the next step is to deploy the test in the area of the course where students are to access the exam and configure test settings.