Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 1.2: Adding, Scoring and configuring questions (Question Types)

Posted on by peter.peasey
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This section provides guidance on the question types available and how to configure them.


Warning: It is strongly recommended that ALL staff writing and adding questions read the section on GENERAL SCORING RECOMMENDATIONS before adding questions to a Blackboard Test.


Info Icon
Info: It is good practice to provide students with a clear indication of the points available for each question and how they are awarded in the Question Text.
  • If you intend to randomise question order or randomise which questions students encounter from a larger set of potential questions, you should not add numbers or other ordering references to question texts.
  • Allow partial and negative credit should generally not be used.
    • If Partial credit is awarded, you should ensure that the overall score of the question and the partiality of the credit available cannot produce a fractional score that could be difficult to extract to SITS/eVision. For example:
      • Overall question points: 2
      • Correct answer 1: 50%
      • Correct answer 2: 50%
      • Incorrect answer: 0%
      • If the student selects the two correct answers, they will receive an overall score of 2 points.
      • If the student selects one correct answer, they will receive an overall score of 1 point.
      • If the student selects one correct answer and one incorrect answer, they will receive a score of 1 point.
      • If the student selects the wrong answer, they will receive 0 points for the question.
    • Allow negative overall score should not be used. Depending on the overall number of questions that allow for negative scoring, using this system could produce an overall negative score for the test which, for summative assessment, may be challenging to translate to SITS.
  • Allow extra credit should not be used. Extra credit is not a system generally favoured in UK HE practice.
  • If you are using Question Banks as Pools where students only encounter some of the questions in the bank at random, all of the questions in that bank should be equally scored. This will avoid a student from encountering a question that offers more points than another by chance, sustaining parity of opportunity overall.

If you require advice on adding and scoring questions, please contact blackboard-ultra@bristol.ac.uk.



  1. If you have not already, navigate to the Question Bank where you would like to add your question by Selecting Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu and selecting the Bank from the list.
  2. Click on the + symbol and select Multiple Choice Question. A blank question will be produced.
  3. Enter the total number of points awardable for the question by selecting the ovoid points section in the top-right of the question and entering the value you want to ascribe. By default, this will read 1 point.An image of the default "1 Point" which can be changed in any question in Blackboard Ultra.
  4. Enter the question text and a description of how points are awarded for the question in the Question Text box.
    1. You can also add images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  5. Toggle Allow partial and negative credit if you wish to, but please read the section on scoring before you use this function.
  6. Write answer text into each of the answer boxes in the Options section.
    1. You can add links, images, attachments, and media by clicking on the + symbol in the text editor. Consider accessibility with anything you add, and if you are adding a link, ensure students know how to return to their test.An image of the expanded options for adding media to an answer in a Blackboard Test
    2. You can add equations via the MathType interface by clicking on the maths button. Alternatively, you can add LaTeX directly into the interface using the “$$” delimiters. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the add maths button in Blackboard Ultra
  7. If you want to add more options for students to select from, select Add Option at the bottom of the question.
  8. If you wish to remove options, click the bin icon to the right of the option you wish to remove.
  9. If you wish to reorder options, click and drag the ↑↓ icon to the right of the option.
  10. Choose one or more correct answers by toggling the tick-box to the left of the correct option(s), turning it green.
  11. By default, selecting more than one correct answer will mean students need to select one correct answer to receive 100% of the available mark. If you wish to alter this, use the Allow partial and negative credit options to adjust how points are awarded, but please read the guidance on this provided in the section on general scoring.
  12. Toggle Automated Feedback if you wish to add feedback that’ll be automatically provided to the student depending on their answer(s). Some new fields will appear:
    1. CORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for a correct answer.
    2. INCORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for incorrect answers and partially correct answers (where partial credit is enabled).
  13. Click Save once you have finished making the question.


  1. If you have not already, navigate to the Question Bank where you would like to add your question by selecting Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu and selecting the Bank from the list.
  2. Click on the + symbol and select True/False Question. A blank question will be produced.
  3. Enter the total number of points awardable for the question by selecting the ovoid points section in the top-right of the question and entering the value you want to ascribe. By default, this will read 1 point.An image of the default "1 Point" which can be changed in any question in Blackboard Ultra.
  4. Enter the question text and a description of how points are awarded for the question in the Question Text box.
    1. You can also add images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  5. Select whether the statement you have provided is True or False by toggling either True or False.
  6. Toggle Automated Feedback if you wish to add feedback that will be automatically provided to the student depending on their answer(s). Some new fields will appear:
    1. CORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for a correct answer.
    2. INCORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for incorrect answers and partially correct answers (where partial credit is enabled).
  7. Click Save once you have finished making the question.


  1. If you have not already, navigate to the Question Bank where you would like to add your question by selecting Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu and selecting the Bank from the list.
  2. Click on the + symbol and select Fill in the Blank question. A blank question will be produced.
  3. Enter the total number of points awardable for the question by selecting the ovoid points section in the top-right of the question and entering the value you want to ascribe. By default, this will read 1 point.An image of the default "1 Point" which can be changed in any question in Blackboard Ultra.
  4. Enter the question text and a description of how points are awarded for the question in the Question Text box. Your question will need to be populated with “blanks” or multiple answers as you write it. Use regular expressions contained within square brackets to denote a blank space. For example, “[a]”, “[b]”, “[A]”, “[B]”, etc.
    1. You can add images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  5. Once you have finished writing your question, select Next Step from the bottom-right of the question, which will expand new configuration options.
  6. Write the correct response or selection of responses available in each of the boxes provided for each blank entered. If there are multiple correct responses, separate them with semicolons. For example, “Red; Blue; Green”.
  7. For each response, you should select a Response type, using the drop-down options to choose between:
    1. Exact match where the answer provided by the student must be identical to the answer you’ve provided.
    2. Contain match where the answer provided by the student must contain the answer you’ve provided.
    3. Match a pattern, where the system will attempt to interpret a range or pattern you’ve proposed in your answer and allow any answer from within that pattern. For example, enter “[A-Z]” to propose that any letter of the alphabet would be a correct answer. Once you’ve entered a pattern, the option to Test Pattern will appear. You should select this and ensure that the pattern works as expected.An image of the test pattern screen in a Fill in the Blanks question. The test of the pattern was successful, so two green ticks are displayed.
  8. For each blank, you can toggle whether the response provided by students should be Case sensitive. Note, this option is removed from Match a pattern responses, where case sensitivity should be expressed in the pattern itself. For example, “[A-Za-z]” will provide the pattern where either capital or lower-case letters through the range of the alphabet are accepted as correct.
  9. At the bottom of the question, set Scoring options by choosing from the drop-down between:
    1. All or nothing where all responses should be correct to receive any score for the question.
    2. Allow partial credit where proportional points are awarded for the number of correct responses provided. If you choose this option, you should set the maximum number of points available for the question so that it matches the number of available blanks in the question. Not doing so may produce fractional grades.
  10. Toggle Automated Feedback if you wish to add feedback that will be automatically provided to the student depending on their answer(s). Some new fields will appear:
    1. CORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for a correct answer.
    2. INCORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for incorrect answers and partially correct answers (where partial credit is enabled).
  11. Click Save once you have finished making the question.


  1. If you have not already, navigate to the Question Bank where you would like to add your question by selecting Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu and selecting the Bank from the list.
  2. Click on the + symbol and select Matching question. A blank question will be produced.
  3. Enter the total number of points awardable for the question by selecting the ovoid points section in the top-right of the question and entering the value you want to ascribe. By default, this will read 1 point.An image of the default "1 Point" which can be changed in any question in Blackboard Ultra.
  4. Enter the question text and a description of how points are awarded for the question in the Question Text box. You can also add other items to your question text, should you wish to:
    1. You can add images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  5. If you wish to remove a pair, click the bin icon to the right of the pair you wish to remove.
  6. If you wish to add a pair, click on Add Pair.
  7. If you wish to add a distractor, click Add Distractor. Distractors are selectable options that do not belong to any matching pair, providing a “distraction” amongst otherwise parable responses and prompts.
  8. Toggle Allow partial and negative credit if you wish to, but please read the section on scoring before you use this function.
  9. Write a Prompt and an Answer pair in each of the boxes provided.
  10. Should you wish to, you can also add the following in either the Prompt or Answer boxes:
    1. Images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  11. Toggle Automated Feedback if you wish to add feedback that will be automatically provided to the student depending on their answer(s). Some new fields will appear:
    1. CORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for a correct answer.
    2. INCORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for incorrect answers and partially correct answers (where partial credit is enabled).
  12. Click Save once you have finished making the question.


  1. If you have not already, navigate to the Question Bank where you would like to add your question by selecting Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu and selecting the Bank from the list.
  2. Click on the + symbol and select Calculated Formula question. A blank question will be produced.
  3. Enter the total number of points awardable for the question by selecting the ovoid points section in the top-right of the question and entering the value you want to ascribe. By default, this will read 1 point.An image of the default "1 Point" which can be changed in any question in Blackboard Ultra.
  4. Enter the question text and a description of how points are awarded for the question in the Question Text box. Use letters in square brackets such as “[a]” to denote any variables. You can also add other items to your question text, should you wish to:
    Info Icon
    Info: The variable “[e]” is reserved and cannot be used. The interface will prompt you if you use any reserved variables and prevent you from moving on to finalize the question until they are changed or removed.
    1. You can add images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  5. Use the MathType interface to enter the answer formula for the question. A manual for using the MathType interface can be found here or accessed by clicking on the ? icon at the top-right of the MathType interface.
  6. Choose whether or not to display the formula to students using the Display formula to students toggle.
  7. Click Next to move on to the next stage of configuration.
  8. Set whether the answer format is Normal or Exponential.
  9. Set the Rounding options to either Decimal places or Significant figures using the drop-down options and enter a rounding number.
  10. Toggle whether to Display place settings or significant figures to students.
  11. Use the Precision scoring options to:
    1. Allow full credit if the answer is within a chosen range which, if selected, will then be definable.
    2. Allow partial credit if the answer is within a chosen range which, if selected, will then be definable. Please read our guidance on using partial credit before enabling this feature.
  12. Under Answer units, you can toggle whether the use of units in a response is Required. If you toggle this option on, more configuration will be available:
    1. Enter the unit-type you want students to use in their answer and provide a Unit Points Percentage.
    Info Icon
    Info: Unit answers require an exact match and this should be made clear to students in the question. For example, if you enter “meters” as the unit, “m” would be considered an incorrect answer.
  13. Add Variable ranges as desired, setting Minimum, Maximum, and Decimal Places in the boxes provided.
  14. If you have provided variables in your question text, you can specify the Number of answer sets required.
  15. Toggle Automated Feedback if you wish to add feedback that will be automatically provided to the student depending on their answer(s). Some new fields will appear:
    1. CORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for a correct answer.
    2. INCORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for incorrect answers and partially correct answers (where partial credit is enabled).
  16. Click Save once you have finished making the question.


  1. If you have not already, navigate to the Question Bank where you would like to add your question by selecting Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu and selecting the Bank from the list.
  2. Click on the + symbol and select Calculated Numeric question. A blank question will be produced.
  3. Enter the total number of points awardable for the question by selecting the ovoid points section in the top-right of the question and entering the value you want to ascribe. By default, this will read 1 point.An image of the default "1 Point" which can be changed in any question in Blackboard Ultra.
  4. Enter the question text and a description of how points are awarded for the question in the Question Text box. You can also add other items to your question text, should you wish to:
    1. You can add images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  5. Enter the Correct Answer in the box provided up to a maximum of 16 digits.
  6. Toggle whether to Allow an answer range. If you toggle this on, you will be invited to enter the range value.
  7. Toggle Automated Feedback if you wish to add feedback that will be automatically provided to the student depending on their answer(s). Some new fields will appear:
    1. CORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for a correct answer.
    2. INCORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for incorrect answers and partially correct answers (where partial credit is enabled).
  8. Click Save once you have finished making the question.


Warning Icon
Warning: Essay questions should be used with caution. They:

  • Do not provide in-text marking (commentary) features you may use in normal submission points. You can only provide general, overarching feedback.
  • Cannot be auto-marked.
  • Cannot be passed through Turnitin as a part of the submission process.

Depending on whether students are allowed to upload files or asked only to write text in the box provided, may inhibit accessibility options for some student users.

An alternative may be to include a Blackboard submission point. If you would like to discuss how this may be configured, please contact the DEO.

  1. If you have not already, navigate to the Question Bank where you would like to add your question by selecting Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu and selecting the Bank from the list.
  2. Click on the + symbol and select Essay question. A blank question will be produced.
  3. Enter the total number of points awardable for the question by selecting the ovoid points section in the top-right of the question and entering the value you want to ascribe. By default, this will read 1 point.An image of the default "1 Point" which can be changed in any question in Blackboard Ultra.
  4. Enter the question text and a description of how points are awarded for the question in the Question Text box. You can also add other items to your question text, should you wish to:
    1. You can add images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  5. If you wish to, you can provide an example of a correct response in the box provided.
  6. Once you have finished, select Save.


Warning Icon
Warning: Hotspot questions should generally be avoided and should never be used in summative assessments. They pose insurmountable issues to users of assistive technologies, visually impaired and B/blind users.
As they use areas of effect, they are prone to error or questionable accuracy that may increase the likelihood of contested or challenged marking.
  1. If you have not already, navigate to the Question Bank where you would like to add your question by selecting Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu and selecting the Bank from the list.
  2. Click on the + symbol and select Hotspot question. A blank question will be produced.
  3. Enter the total number of points awardable for the question by selecting the ovoid points section in the top-right of the question and entering the value you want to ascribe. By default, this will read 1 point.An image of the default "1 Point" which can be changed in any question in Blackboard Ultra.
  4. Enter the question text and a description of how points are awarded for the question in the Question Text box. You can also add other items to your question text, should you wish to:
    1. You can add images, interactives, media, and other items in this box by clicking on the + icon in the text editor. Maths equations can also be added this way using the MathType interface, or you can use LaTeX directly in the text editor. The correct delimiters are “$$”. All equations added using LaTeX should be checked using a test-student user.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    2. Links to external sites can be added using the link icon in the text editor. If you add a link, be sure to warn users it will navigate away from the test and explain clearly how they can return to it and continue. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any sites you link to.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    3. Files can be added using the attach file icon. You should be mindful of the accessibility of any files you attach.An image of the add attachment button in Blackboard Ultra
    4. Code snippets, super and sub-script can be added by clicking on the … icon in the text editor.An image of the ,,, button in Blackboard Ultra
  5. In the box below the text editor, add a picture. You can either do this by dragging and dropping a file from your computer or by clicking Upload from device and selecting a file.
  6. Add one or several hotspots by choosing from the shape icons provided. The Square and circle options are resized and shaped by clicking and dragging on the resize boxes around the wireframe. The Polygon option is closer to a free-draw option, where one clicks several times to deploy lines until a completed shape has been made to indicate the interactive area. Once a hotspot has been placed, hover your cursor over the wireframe to move it to other locations.
  7. If you wish to erase the hotspots you’ve placed, click Erase Hotspots.
  8. If you wish to remove the photo you’ve uploaded and any hotspots you’ve placed, click Delete all.
  9. If you have added multiple hotspots, you can choose whether to Show hotspots to students, essentially changing the question to a visual MCQ.
  10. Add descriptive text to Answer options if you wish to. One will be provided per hotspot placed.
    1. If you have added multiple hotspots, you will be able to choose which answer option is designated as correct by toggling the tick box next to the Answer option so that a green tick appears.
  11. Toggle Automated Feedback if you wish to add feedback that will be automatically provided to the student depending on their answer(s). Some new fields will appear:
    1. CORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for a correct answer.
    2. INCORRECT ANSWER FEEDBACK where you can provide feedback for incorrect answers and partially correct answers (where partial credit is enabled).
  12. Click Save once you have finished making the question.