The following settings are recommended for summative campus-based invigilated tests i.e. Exams supervised in a computer lab.  

Warning: These settings are not recommended for central or school-based online exams. Refer to the Invigilated Online Exam Settings and Non-invigilated Online Exam Settings guides.

Note: Your test settings may need to differ depending on your context and/or the learning outcomes for the test.

Recommended Browser: It is recommended both staff and students use Chrome (the most recent version).

SettingRecommendationReasons
DescriptionOptionalInstructions can be given verbally or written on the whiteboard. This description is visible while the students take the test and should be kept short as otherwise it will cause extra scrolling.
Open Test in New WindowYesProvides students with the whole screen width to view questions. For open book exams this allows students to easily access Blackboard course content. 
Make the Link AvailableYes'Display After' and 'Display Until' settings are used to limit when the test is accessible to students
Add a New Announcement for this TestNoThe automatic announcement is not very informative; it is recommended you write your own.
Multiple AttemptsOffThis ensures the students only complete the exam once and the correct version is marked. 
Force completionOffIf students lose their internet connection, this allows them to resume their exam once it is available again. 
Set timer

Timer: On

Auto-Submit: Off

An elapsed time clock will be visible to students during the exam. Students should be given a verbal warning can the exam time is almost up. Students should be verbally told to submit and should not be allowed to leave the exam room until their submission has been checked.
Display After & UntilOnUse these options to limit when the test link is available.
PasswordOnThe password should be entered by the exam supervisor. This ensures the student who completes the exam is in the exam room (it is possible to log into Blackboard twice and someone out the exam room to complete the test)
Test Availability ExceptionsOptional

Can be used to give individual student or groups of groups :

  • Extra time (students with a disability)
  • Different text availability (i.e. students who are not competing the test at the same time as the rest of the students.)
Due DateOnThe date the test was completed / due is shown to students in My Grades.
Self Assessment OptionsInclude this Test in Grade Centre Score Calculations: OnThe marks will be automatically recorded in Grade Centre.

Test Feedback

(rule 1)

On Submission
Score
: Off
All Answers: Off
Correct: Off
Submitted: On
Feedback: Off
Show Incorrect Questions: Off

Note: Only giving information on what answers were submitted, when the the test is submitted gives you the opportunity to edit the marking if there is a problem with a question.

Test Feedback

(rule 2)

On Specific Date
Score
: On
All Answers: On
Correct: On
Submitted: On
Feedback: On
Show Incorrect Questions: On
Note: Do not give student an opportunity to copy the questions if you want to reuse them i.e. only turn the Score ON.
Presentation ModeAll at Once: On
Prohibit Backtracking: Off
This option and randomising the questions makes it more difficult for students to cheat by looking at a neighbour’s screen. Prohibiting backtracking is not recommended as it will cause the student to be thrown out of the exam if they use the browser back button.
Randomise QuestionsYesChanges the order of the questions, which means that students will likely be working on different questions as they progress. This is useful to help prevent cheating by looking at a neighbour’s screen.

Thank you to Ms Lauren Hives, eLearning Applications Administrator, Bond University for permission to use their Online Exam Supervisor’s Manual.