Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 2: Submission (test and question validation)


Info: The content of a Blackboard Test should be validated by a member of teaching or academic staff with subject matter expertise prior to its being released to students. Checks should include a consideration of both the question content and the settings on the test, both of which can impact the student’s learning experience and the nature of their assessment. Preferably, whomsoever has overall responsibility for the cohort’s learning experience should conduct a check. If the content is for a high-stakes assessment (eg, an exam) then additional validation may also be desirable.


Use a Test Student account to test your assessment setup as a student. Using a Test Student account provides the same experience any other student enrolled in the course will have, allowing staff to check the functionality and experience of any submission.

  1. If you have not set up a test student user account, please email digital-education@bristol.ac.uk, including the subject line Test Student User Request and providing your Blackboard username and an explanation of your need for a test student account.
  2. You will receive an email that will confirm the user details, including the user name and password.
  3. Once you have a Test Student user, either open a private or incognito tab in your current browser or open another browser.
  4. Navigate to the Blackboard login page in this private/new tab and click Guest Login.
  5. Enter your Test Student User’s user name and the password provided by the DEO.
  6. Click on the profile tab on the left-hand side of the screen. This will be denoted by your Test Student User’s name (usually Your First Name Test[Your Initials]).
  7. Click on Update External Account Password.
  8. In the panel that opens:
  9. Enter the password provided by the DEO in the box marked Old Password.
  10. Enter a new password in the box marked New Password.
  11. Enter the same, new password in the box marked Confirm New Password.
  12. Store your new Test Student User password securely, or use a password that is easy for you to remember.
  13. Click Save.
  14. In your administrative Blackboard account, navigate to the course where you want to add your Test Student User.
  15. Using the left-hand menu, click on View everyone on your course under Class register.
  16. Click on the + button in the top-right corner of the screen
  17. Enter your Test Student User’s user name into the text box.
  18. Click on the + button next to your test student user’s name, changing it into a green tick.
  19. Ensure the box beneath your test student user is set to Student, using the drop-down menu to change it if needed.
  20. Click Save.



Info: Once you have completed testing and validation, you will need to delete the attempt of your test student before you can make changes to the Blackboard test.
  1. Either open a private or incognito tab in your current browser or open another browser.
  2. Navigate to the Blackboard login page in this private/new tab and click Guest Login.
  3. Enter your Test Student User’s username and password.
  4. Navigate to the course you have enrolled your student into, using the Courses option in the left-hand menu and searching for the unit ID or name.
  5. Click on the appropriate course and find the test. This will normally be found in the Assessment, submission and feedback
  6. Once you find the test, click on the assignment name.
    1. If you have enabled an access code, enter it (Note; access codes are not recommended).
  7. Click Start attempt. If you have enabled multiple attempts, then their will be a number after this denoting which attempt has been taken (eg, Start attempt 1).
    1. If you have set a timer, a pop-up will appear informing you that a timer has been set and what will happen once it has elapsed. Click Start timer.
  8. Work your way through the questions.
    1. If you have arranged your test so that one question displays at a time or into multiple pages, you should click Next to move on.
    2. If you have set a timer and wish to hide it, click on the crossed-out eye icon next to the timer. If you would like to display the timer again, click on the open eye icon.
  9. Once you have completed the test, click Completion is indicated at the top of the test when the progress bar turns green and the text indicator reads, “0 OF # QUESTIONS REMAINING”.
    1. If you are submitting to a Turnitin-enabled test, you will receive a pop-up asking if you are happy to agree to the End User License agreement. Provided you are, click Submit.
  10. A pop-up should appear entitled Your submission was successful! This is an on-screen version of your submission receipt. This should also be emailed to the email account linked to your test student user (usually your UoB staff account). Click download to retain a copy.
  11. Log out of your Test Student User account.