Deploying a Test

After a test has been created in the test canvas, the test must be deployed to the content area (e.g. Tests) where the tests are located in order for the students to access the test. These instructions will demonstrate how to add a test to a content area and set up test settings.

D Deploying a Test

Image of a Blackboard content area with the assessments button highlighted with instructions to click on assessments. In the menu under Assessments, the option Test is outlined in a red circle with instru

Log into your Blackboard course, and go to the content area that you would like to add the test to.  At the top of the page, click on Assessment and select Test.

S  Selecting a Test to Deploy

Selecting a Test to Deploy

On the next page, under Add Test, you will see a list of tests that have been created but have not yet been deployed to a content area.  Select the extended time version of the test you created earlier and click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.

Setting up the Test Information Settings
Image of the Section labeled Test Information with the following annotations: 1.Name: The test can be renamed by entering a new name in this field.2.Choose Color of Name: The color selector will allow you to change the color of the test link.3.Content Link Description: You can type a description of the test in the space here.4.Test Description: The description that was created when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here. If a test description was not created, this item will not appear. To make the description visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Test Description to students before they begin the test.5.Test Instructions: Test instructions that were entered when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here. If test instructions were not entered, this item will not appear. To make the instructions visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Instructions to students before they begin the test.6.Open Test in New Window: Select Yes to open the test in a new window, or select No to open the test in the same window (optional)Zoom: Image of the Section labeled Test Information with the following annotations: 1.Name: The test can be renamed by entering a new name in this field.2.Choose Color of Name: The color selector will allow you to change the color of the test link.3.Content Link Description: You can type a description of the test in the space here.4.Test Description: The description that was created when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here. If a test description was not created, this item will not appear. To make the description visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Test Description to students before they begin the test.5.Test Instructions: Test instructions that were entered when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here. If test instructions were not entered, this item will not appear. To make the instructions visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Instructions to students before they begin the test.6.Open Test in New Window: Select Yes to open the test in a new window, or select No to open the test in the same window (optional)

You will now see a screen labeled Test Options that allows you to set up how the test appears to students.  The Test Information section allows you to edit the information that is shown to students in the link for the test.

  1. Name: The test can be renamed by entering a new name in this field.
  2. Choose Color of Name: The color selector will allow you to change the color of the test link.
  3. Content Link Description: You can type a description of the test in the space here.
  4. Test Description: The description that was created when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here.  If a test description was not created, this item will not appear.  To make the description visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Test Description to students before they begin the test.
  5. Test Instructions: Test instructions that were entered when setting up the test questions in Blackboard will appear here. If test instructions were not entered, this item will not appear.  To make the instructions visible to students prior to starting the test, check the box for the option labeled Show Instructions to students before they begin the test.
  6. Open Test in New Window: Select Yes to open the test in a new window, or select No to open the test in the same window (optional)

S Setting up the Test Availability and Timer

Image of the Section labeled Test Availability with the following annotations: 1.Make the Link Available: Select Yes to make the test visible to students. Note: If the test availability is set to No, students will not be able to access the test, even if the test availability dates are specified.2.Add a New Announcement: Select Yes to automatically generate a message that the test has been posted.  (If you want a more detailed message, it is recommended to create your own announcement.)3.Multiple Attempts: Check the box to allow for multiple attempts, and select either to Allow Unlimited Attempts or select Number of Attempts and enter the number of attempts allowed.  Leave this option unchecked for a single attempt.4.Score Attempts Using: If you have selected the option to allow multiple attempts, this dropdown menu will allow you to select how to grade multiple attempts (Last graded attempt, Highest grade, Lowest grade, First graded attempt, Average of graded attempts).5.Force Completion: Enabling this option will prevent students from reentering the test if they exit the test without submitting.   If students encounter techincal problems, then they would not be able to reenter the exam. This option is NOT RECOMMENDED. To ensure students complete the test within the test time limit, please enable the timer and turn Auto Submit on.6.Set Timer: Check the box to enable a time limit for the test, and enter the duration in minutes: The maximum duration is 300 minutes (five hours).7.Auto-Submit: Select On to enable Auto Submit, in which the test will automatically submit after the timer ends. The timer will run continuously, regardless of whether or not the student is in the test at that moment. If you select Off, students can continue past the time limit, but the time is noted in the grade center.8.Display After: Check the box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test would become available to students.9.Display Until: Check this box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test is no longer available to students.  After the specified date, the test is no longer visible to students, and students can no longer access the test.10.Password: To enforce requirements for students to take the exam in a classroom or proctored environment, check this box and enter the desired password that would be distributed to proctors and entered prior to the student starting the test. Note: If Lockdown Browser is enabled for the test, DO NOT change the password that appears on the Test Options page.  This password is randomly generated when Lockdown Browser is enabled, and removing or modifying the password on the Test Options page will break the Lockdown Browser integration. If you wish to set a password for a test that requires the Lockdown Browser, please read the guide on Enabling the Lockdown Browser Requirement.Zoom: Image of the Section labeled Test Availability with the following annotations: 1.Make the Link Available: Select Yes to make the test visible to students. Note: If the test availability is set to No, students will not be able to access the test, even if the test availability dates are specified.2.Add a New Announcement: Select Yes to automatically generate a message that the test has been posted.  (If you want a more detailed message, it is recommended to create your own announcement.)3.Multiple Attempts: Check the box to allow for multiple attempts, and select either to Allow Unlimited Attempts or select Number of Attempts and enter the number of attempts allowed.  Leave this option unchecked for a single attempt.4.Score Attempts Using: If you have selected the option to allow multiple attempts, this dropdown menu will allow you to select how to grade multiple attempts (Last graded attempt, Highest grade, Lowest grade, First graded attempt, Average of graded attempts).5.Force Completion: Enabling this option will prevent students from reentering the test if they exit the test without submitting.   If students encounter techincal problems, then they would not be able to reenter the exam. This option is NOT RECOMMENDED. To ensure students complete the test within the test time limit, please enable the timer and turn Auto Submit on.6.Set Timer: Check the box to enable a time limit for the test, and enter the duration in minutes: The maximum duration is 300 minutes (five hours).7.Auto-Submit: Select On to enable Auto Submit, in which the test will automatically submit after the timer ends. The timer will run continuously, regardless of whether or not the student is in the test at that moment. If you select Off, students can continue past the time limit, but the time is noted in the grade center.8.Display After: Check the box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test would become available to students.9.Display Until: Check this box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test is no longer available to students.  After the specified date, the test is no longer visible to students, and students can no longer access the test.10.Password: To enforce requirements for students to take the exam in a classroom or proctored environment, check this box and enter the desired password that would be distributed to proctors and entered prior to the student starting the test. Note: If Lockdown Browser is enabled for the test, DO NOT change the password that appears on the Test Options page.  This password is randomly generated when Lockdown Browser is enabled, and removing or modifying the password on the Test Options page will break the Lockdown Browser integration. If you wish to set a password for a test that requires the Lockdown Browser, please read the guide on Enabling the Lockdown Browser Requirement.

Test Availability allows you to modify the number of attempts students have to take the test, the test timer settings, and the test availability settings.

  1. Make the Link Available: Select Yes to make the test visible to students. Note: If the test availability is set to No, students will not be able to access the test, even if the test availability dates are specified.
  2. Add a New Announcement: Select Yes to automatically generate a message that the test has been posted.  (If you want a more detailed message, it is recommended to create your own announcement.)
  3. Multiple Attempts: Check the box to allow for multiple attempts, and select either to Allow Unlimited Attempts or select Number of Attempts and enter the number of attempts allowed.  Leave this option unchecked for a single attempt.
  4. Score Attempts Using: If you have selected the option to allow multiple attempts, this dropdown menu will allow you to select how to grade multiple attempts (Last graded attempt, Highest grade, Lowest grade, First graded attempt, Average of graded attempts).
  5. Force Completion: Enabling this option will prevent students from reentering the test if they exit the test without submitting.   If students encounter technical problems, then they would not be able to reenter the exam. This option is NOT RECOMMENDED. To ensure students complete the test within the test time limit, please enable the timer and turn Auto Submit on.
  6. Set Timer: Check the box to enable a time limit for the test, and enter the duration in minutes: The maximum duration is 420 minutes (seven hours).
  7. Auto-Submit: Select On to enable Auto Submit, in which the test will automatically submit after the timer ends. The timer will run continuously, regardless of whether or not the student is in the test at that moment. If you select Off, students can continue past the time limit, but the time is noted in the grade center.
  8. Display After: Check the box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test would become available to students.
  9. Display Until: Check this box and use the date and time pickers to select the date in which the test is no longer available to students.  After the specified date, the test is no longer visible to students, and students can no longer access the test.
  10. Password: To enforce requirements for students to take the exam in a classroom or proctored environment, check this box and enter the desired password that would be distributed to proctors and entered prior to the student starting the test. Note: If Lockdown Browser is enabled for the test, DO NOT change the password that appears on the Test Options page.  This password is randomly generated when Lockdown Browser is enabled, and removing or modifying the password on the Test Options page will break the Lockdown Browser integration. 

The maximum time duration for a test is 420 minutes (seven hours). If Auto Submit is turned off, students can continue past the allotted 420 minutes.

Warning: Enabling Force Completion is Not Recommended. This option will prevent students from reentering the test in the event of a technical difficulty. In order to ensure completion of the test within the time limit, it is recommended to set the timer and turn Auto-Submit on.

Warning: If Lockdown Browser is enabled for the test, DO NOT change the password that appears on the Test Options page.  This password is randomly generated when Lockdown Browser is enabled, and removing or modifying the password on the Test Options page will break the Lockdown Browser integration.