This guide will provide an introductory overview of how to create Blackboard Ultra tests (quizzes) within the context of Hull York Medical School recommended workflows.Please then also visit the following Blackboard help page for the most up to date and detailed guidance; create tests in Ultra.
Video tutorial
Written guidance
Start a test
On the course content page, select the plus sign wherever you want to add a test. From the menu, select create to open the create item panel.
Select test and the new test page opens. There are three customizable components on the new test page: add test content, apply test settings, and control test visibility to students.
Add content
Enter a title at the top of the test content page. Then select the plus sign.You can then choose a question type, add a question pool / reuse questions and content from existing tests.
You can also add files and text, such as instructions for the test. You can also add files from cloud storage. Question types include:
- Fill in the Blank
- Matching questions
- Multiple Choice and Multiple Answer
- Calculated Formula
- True/False
- Calculated Numeric
- Hotspot
- Essay questions
Ensure to add clear instructions for the test. Select add text from the drop-down options. You can provide a contextual overview for a test, highlight key contacts relating to queries, link to relevant external guidance, or reiterate key information around student expectations (such as how many attempts are allowed, if responses will be automatically graded, when grading will be released, due dates etc,.)
Please see the following help page for the most up to date and detailed guidance; question types.
Settings
Select the test settings cog.
- Details & information provides options for test submission, such as a due date.
- Presentation options allows you to control how the test’s content is presented to students.
- Grading & submissions provides options for grading criteria, such as schemas and number of attempts.
- Assessment results allows you to control how students see feedback, scores, and answers.
- Security tools and Additional tools provides several more options to customize your test, such as time limits.
Ensure to include a description from the bottom of the settings panel. This will be visible from the content homepage, under the link title of the test. This can summarise key information also included in the instructions from the test.
After choosing your settings, ensure to select the save button at the bottom of the settings panel.
Ensure to check through all sections of the settings options and to carry out testing of set up before releasing to students. Please see the below guidance on trying a test in student preview mode.
Please see the following help page for the most up to date and detailed guidance; test settings in Ultra and also further test setting options in Ultra.
Visibility
Students can’t see a test until you choose to show it.
You can also set release conditions based on date, time, and performance on other items in the course gradebook.
Unless content needs to be hidden for a specific reason, we advise to keep test links visible to students after submission, so that they can check what they have submitted or refer to results / feedback once released.
Please see the following help page for the most up to date and detailed guidance; test release settings in Ultra.
Preview
It is possible to check your test using student preview mode. Select student preview from the top right-hand corner of the content homepage. You can then complete the test as a student and save your data upon exiting student preview. You can then also view your test student submission / provide grading with your instructor status, then again check how this appears to the student by entering student preview mode again. The test will have to be visible in order to access it in student preview.
Additional steps
Copy a test
You can then search through folders to locate the test. It may be helpful to open the course / organisation in another browser to cross reference where it is located. Ensure not to accidentally select additional items. You can the select the relevant test item and select to start copy.
You will be redirected to the homepage. The copied test will appear at the top of the homepage and will be hidden from students. You may see a banner above the test that flags issues with copying that you will need to review.Ensure to now check and test all aspects of the test, compare it to the original test settings, and also test as a preview student.
It is strongly advised not to regularly bulk copy content from course to course. Tests can be copied, but it is strongly advised in general to not copy other types of content this way, due to concerns around formatting / compatibility issues and data content limitations. Please check with the Learning Enhancement and Systems team if you are unsure about copying a test or need further support (help@hyms.ac.uk).
Reuse
Please see the following help page for the most up to date and detailed guidance; reuse questions in Ultra.
Please see the following help page for the most up to date and detailed guidance; question analysis.
Please check with the Learning Enhancement and Systems team if you are unsure about interpreting analysis or need further support (help@hyms.ac.uk). Please also ensure to respect all parent university policies and guidelines in relation to access and data usage.