Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 6: Accessing marks and feedback as a test student

Students can access their marks and feedback in Blackboard by:

  1. Logging into Blackboard.
  2. Then either:
    1. Clicking on My Marks in the Tools area of the home page and locating the assessment from their list.
    2. Navigating to the course where they submitted their work, opening the Gradebook and locating the assessment from the list.
  3. Feedback can be viewed by clicking on the purple comment box in the Feedback column, then selecting the attempt.

Warning: Marks and feedback can only be viewed if the Test remains unhidden.

Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 5: Marks and feedback posting and transfer


Once all marking and moderation has been completed, marks can be posted to students.

  1. Navigate to the Gradebook.
  2. Locate the Test you wish to release marks and feedback for from the list.

Warning: Marks and feedback can only be viewed if the Test remains unhidden.
  1. If you wish to release all of the marks and feedback and are confident that marking has been completed on all submitted work, you can post marks to students from this screen by clicking on the Post # marks button associated with the assessment (see below).
  2. If you wish to post marks and feedback for individual students, click the name of the assessment to look at each student’s submissions. Within this screen, you can sort by submission and student statuses and post marks for specific students (see below).

Once marks are posted they cannot be unposted: the only way to re-hide them from students is to hide the submission point.



Warning: In order to transfer marks to SITS, marks will need to have been posted to students in Blackboard. If marks need to be extracted prior to their being displayed to students in Blackboard, the submission point must be hidden.

Warning: Only administrators with the Marks Extractor role in Blackboard can extract marks.
  1. Navigate to the Blackboard course you wish to extract grades from
  2. Click on View course and institution tools under the Books and tools header in the course’s menu bar
  3. From the list of tools, select Marks extract to SITS. This will launch a program that links both Blackboard and SITS, but it can take a few moments to load
  4. From the list, select the unit code and course name you want to extract by clicking on the box to the left of the name so it turns green and a tick appears
  5. Click on Grade column approval and transfer
  6. Select the assignment/column name you wish to extract, again clicking on the box to the left of the name
  7. Click Grade approval and transfer. In the next screen you can either:
    1. Search for specific students you want to extract marks for by entering their details in to the search bar. Once you have found the student, select them by clicking on the box to the left of their details
    2. Click the box at the top of the list of students to select all of the students in the list with submissions
  8. Click on Extract grades.

Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 4 Marking and moderation

Whilst many question types allow for automatic marking, essay questions (which also allow for a file-upload), do not. Equally, some questions may need alteration or moderation after submission.


  1. Navigate to the Test and click the test title to enter it.
  2. Click on Submissions to review all submissions to the submission point.
  3. Change the Student Status filter to Submitted.
    1. If there are submissions with work that requires independent marking (ie, because you have used Essay Questions), change the Marking Statuses filter to Needs Marking. With these filters applied, only those students who have submitted work that requires marking will be displayed.
    2. If you are reviewing automarked work/moderating, you can click the header of the Mark column to arrange the order of submissions by ascending/descending grade.
  4. Click on each student’s name to enter the review and marking interface for their submission.

Only the students within your marking allocation should now be visible to you. Click on a cell and select View to get to the marking screen.


If you are marking using a distributed system, follow the instructions below to locate the submissions allocated to you. Once you have located your allocated submissions, follow the marking instructions below.

  1. Navigate to the Gradebook.
  2. Go to the Marks
  3. Click on Filter.
  4. Change the Groups option to the group you have been allocated. Your administration team or the unit director will have advised you which group you need to mark.
  5. Change the Markable Items option to the Test you have been asked to mark.
  6. Click apply.

Only the students within your marking allocation should now be visible to you. Click on a cell and select View to get to the marking screen.


  1. On the right-hand side of the screen within each student’s submission, select the plus icon on the to access the Overall Feedback You can use this to add overarching feedback for the student.An image of the overall feedback screen in a Blackboard Test marking experience
    1. Use the Text styling and Text options menus to change your text to titles, headers, subheaders and general text, alter the font, the size and colour of the text, and change formatting. The interface also responds to keyboard shortcuts for changing in formatting.The text styling and text options buttons in the Blackboard tests marking interface
    2. Use the List option to add bullet-pointed or numbered lists, or add tables.An image of the list button in the Blackboard test marking interface
    3. Use the undo option to undo the last changes you made.An image of the undo button in the Blackboard tests marking interface
    4. Use the link option by highlighting text in your feedback, clicking the link icon, and adding the hyperlink to change the text to a clickable link.An image of the link icon in Blackboard Ultra's question text editor
    5. Use the add content option to upload materials and add different forms of content to your feedback. You can use the MathsType interface to add mathematical commentary, embed an image or video, or upload a video or document from your device or cloud storage.An image of the "+" button in the question text editor
    6. You can use the Audio/Video Recording option to add video or audio feedback recorded directly from within the marking interface.The recording button in the blackboard test marking interface

Once you click the option, you may need to grant permission to your camera to access your browser. Once this is done, you can click record and toggle your camera on or off from within the Recording Window.An image of the recording window in Blackboard's marking interface

Once you have finished your recording, click Save and exit to store the recording, otherwise click Delete recording to record another version.

  1. Overall marks should generate automatically based on the mark provided each question. You should not alter this mark in most instances. Instead, alter the mark for an individual question and this will update the overall mark automatically.
  2. In each question, you can enter an individual mark (if one is not entered automatically), adjust an existing mark, and add individual feedback in response to the question. To expand the feedback tools, click on the + icon in the speech bubble. To enter a mark, click on the ovoid.

Individual question feedback options are the same as those offered for overall feedback, inclusive of the option for recording video/audio feedback. You cannot enter inline feedback on an essay question.Once you have entered the feedback for a question, select Save changes at the bottom of the question’s feedback screen. This is not necessary for entering a mark.

Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 3.3: Changing the test and remarking after submissions


Warning: Editing questions after marks have been received is not recommended. Doing so may cause issues with the parity of the test (in randomised tests) and will force the manual re-marking of the test question in most instances.You should check your school/faculty policy before making these changes.

If you require support with changing test content after a test has begun, please contact the Digital Education Office.


Once the students have started taking the test you will not be able to delete a question, but you will be able to edit some of the parameters of the question. To do this:

  1. Navigate to the Test inside your Blackboard course. If this is a summative assessment, this will usually be located in the Assessment, submission and feedback
  2. Click on the Test’s title to open it.
    1. If you have used Question Pools (as is recommended), select View questions in the pool where the question is located.
  3. Locate the question you wish to edit by scrolling through the list.
  4. Click on the icon in the top-right corner of the question you wish to edit and select Edit/Remark.
  5. Edit the question as you need to and then select Save.
  6. If you do not wish to keep the changes you have made or have made an error, select Cancel to void your changes and leave the question unchanged.


  1. Navigate to the Test inside your Blackboard course. If this is a summative assessment, this will usually be located in the Assessment, submission and feedback
  2. Click on the Test’s title to open it.
  3. Locate the question you wish to edit by scrolling through the list.
  4. Click on the icon in the top-right corner of the question you wish to edit and select Edit/Remark.
  5. Toggle the box marked Give full credit to everyone so that a green tick appears in it.
  6. Select Save.
  7. If you do not wish to keep the changes you have made or have made an error, select Cancel to void your changes and leave the question unchanged.

Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 3.2: Managing extensions, additional attempts and AEAs (Alternative Exam Arrangements)


  1. Navigate to the Gradebook.
  2. Click Students.
  3. Find the student who you wish to allow the additional attempt to and click on their name to enter their record.
  4. Click on the icon next to the relevant assessment and select Add or edit exceptions.
  5. Change the number of attempts permitted to allow the student another attempt, if required.
  6. Alter the due date and time, if required.
  7. If you have used any release conditions or prevented late submissions, you may also need to adjust the show on and hide after date/times to allow the student access.
  8. Click save.



Warning: Accommodations work on a per-student/by-course basis and NOT on a by-assessment basis, as they did in Blackboard Original. When you add additional time to a student’s record, ALL ASSESSMENTS with a timer on this course will be provided the same accommodation.IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that a regularly referenced and checked record of accommodations for students is kept independent of Blackboard. This should include dates that accommodations have been applied, for which assessments they are pertinent (if not all assessments), and when they are due to be removed.

Previously, additional time could be granted to students on a group basis. This now needs to be actioned on a student-by-student basis. The accommodation then affects all exams, tests, and other assessments taken with a timer by this student in this Blackboard course.

  1. Navigate to the Gradebook.
  2. Click Students.
  3. Find the student who you wish to allow the additional attempt to and click on the icon at the end of their entry.
  4. Select Accommodations. This will open a new menu.
  5. Toggle Time limit accommodation. This will expand further options.
  6. Choose between:
    1. Custom percentage where you can grant the student a percentage of additional time by duration of a given timed assessment or test. For example, if there are two tests on a course, one 2hrs and one 3hrs and you enter 50%, you will grant the student 3hrs to complete the 2hr test and 4.5hrs to complete the 3hr test.
    2. Unlimited time which will remove the timer from timed assessments and tests entirely.
  7. Once you have made the changes you need to, click Save.

Information on AEAs from the Exam Office

Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 3.1: Managing the Gradebook


  1. Navigate to the Gradebook.
  2. Select Markable items.
  3. Drag and drop rows to reorder them by clicking on the ‘move total’ arrows ‘↑↓’ at the end of the item you wish to reorder.


  1. Navigate to the Gradebook
  2. Navigate to the Marks view by clicking on Marks in the top-left section of the Gradebook.
  3. Click on the Up/Down icon in one column:
    1. Once to organise the data by ascending marks
    2. Twice to organise the data by descending marks
    3. Thrice to remove the ordering of data.
  4. Navigate to the Students view by clicking on Students in the top-left section of the Gradebook.
  5. Click on the Up/Down icon in one column:
    1. Once to organise the data by descending number order/alphabetically
    2. Twice to organise the data by ascending number order/reverse-alphabetical order.
    3. Thrice to remove the ordering of data.



Warning: THE USE OF MESSAGES TO STUDENTS VIA BLACKBOARD IS NOT RECOMMENDED AND EMAILS SHOULD BE USED AS A STANDARD FOR ALL CRITICAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO ASSESSMENTS.Whilst the messaging system provides some initial convenience to the sender, it may inhibit the recipient student’s ability to reply to communications, lead them to miss key information, leave them uncertain who they should respond to, leave their response unchecked, or inhibit the accessibility of the communication depending on the student’s needs and equipment.Consequently, guidance on this aspect of Blackboard has not been provided in full.If messaging is used at all, it is strongly recommended that:

  1. The option to “Send an email copy to recipients” is ALWAYS used.
  2. The email address of the sender is ALWAYS included alongside a message to respond via that address.
  3. Messages include a note to NOT email a response (as the email is sent from a no-reply email address).
  4. The option to “Allow replies to this message” is NEVER used (as these messages may not be immediately received, depending on the settings of the individual user)

 


To see who has and hasn’t submitted and to view submission dates and times:

  1. Navigate to the Gradebook and select Markable items.
  2. Find the relevant test and click on its name.
  3. Click inside the Student status box at the top of the page to sort the list of students by status (see Image 1). For those students who have submitted, the date and time of the attempt appears underneath the student’s name.



Warning:Deleting an attempt is irreversible. If a student requires an additional attempt, it is recommended that an additional attempt is given to the student rather than an attempt being deleted.

  1. Navigate to the Gradebook.
  2. Click Markable Items.
  3. Select the assessment from the list by clicking on its title.
  4. Locate the student whose attempt you wish to delete. It may be useful to click on the Student Status column to organise the Gradebook.
  5. Click on the row containing the student’s record. This will open the student’s attempt.
  6. Click on the icon in the top-right of the screen and select Delete Attempt.
  7. A pop-up box will appear called Delete Attempt?, warning that the attempt and any associated mark will be removed from the system. If you are sure you want to proceed, select Delete.

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.

Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 1.3: Test configuration and preparation


If the assessment has been listed as a ‘BB Test’ in eVision, a blank Blackboard Test will automatically be created in the relevant course in the Assessment submission and feedback area. There will also be an accompanying, linked column that can be extracted to SITS at the point of marks extraction.


Warning: If you use the BB Test assignment in eVision, test questions must be linked with the blank test produced via the integration. Discussions should be had between admin and teaching staff to ensure questions are added to the correct test to avoid issues with marks extraction.

For further advice on setting up assessments in eVision see the Bristol Education Administration Manual (BEAM).


In this section, you will find information about how to create questions, develop your test, and configure the options.



Warning: If the assessment has been configured with the submission type ‘BB Test’ in eVision, you should not follow this part of the guidance. You should only follow this section for either an assessment set as “BB Other” in eVision, or a formative assessment.
  1. Navigate to the Blackboard course where you would like to develop the Test.
  2. Navigate to the location you would like to create the assessment. In the instance of a summative submission, this will likely be the Assessment, Submission and Feedback area of the course.
  3. When you have found the location you want to make your submission point, hover your cursor over the space between two items in the Course Content feed so that the + button appears. Click on this and select Create from the options. This will open the Create Item options on the right-hand side of the screen.The plus button you need to select to add content to a Blackboard site
  4. Scroll down to the Assessment category and select Test. This will produce a blank test in the location you’ve selected and open the Create Test
  5. By default, the name given to your test will be “New Test [DATE]”, which will be displayed in the top-left of the screen. Click on this to change the name.

Warning: You should not change the name of tests sent to the course via “BB Test” assessment types in eVision. This will impact marks extraction.
  1. At this stage, you should ensure the Test is hidden from students. By default, tests are set this way, but to check, click on the drop-down arrow next to the visibility status in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Depending on the conditions already applied, this will either read:
    1. Visible to students
    2. Hidden from students
    3. Release conditions

From this list, select Hidden from students.

  1. You can now either move on to configure your test, add questions or, if you prefer, ensure each of the questions you have added have been correctly saved by clicking on the Save buttons and then click the X in the top-left to return to the main course page.



WAIT: Settings in this section can affect how the test is taken and limit pedagogical choices made by teaching/academic staff. Coordinate and discuss with them before configuring a Blackboard Test

Info: This section provides general guidelines for using the settings in Blackboard Tests and you should defer to local workflows where required.
Where there are settings that are recommended in all contexts, these are marked as DEO RECOMMENDS
  1. If you are not already in the test:
    1. Navigate to the Blackboard course and locate it in the Course Content Normally, summative assessments are located in the Assessment, submission and feedback area.
    2. Once you have located the test, select the course’s title to enter the test.
  2. Click on the cog icon next to where it reads Assessment Settings to expand the options;The cog icon next to the Assessment Settings title inside a blackboard assessment
  3. Details & Information:
      1. Due Date:
          1. Leave the Due date unchanged if this assessment has been sent from eVision (using ‘BB Test’).

        Warning: DEO RECOMMENDS: You should not change the due date of tests sent from eVision using the “BB Test” assessment type. If you are unsure, check with who ever provisioned the course before making changes. Changing the due date of assessments set using “BB Test” may affect the transfer of marks and penalties with eVision.
        1. Set the desired Due date if this assessment has been created directly in the course (using ‘BB Other’ in eVision or for formative assessments with a due date).
      2. No due date can be used where there is no fixed due date on the test.
      3. Prohibit late submission should be left toggled off in most situations. In-progress attempts will be submitted automatically at the due date and time. NOTE: This is not the same as using auto-submit on a timed test and this setting should not be used as an alternative to that function. Students accessing a timed test after its provisioned start time will have time deducted from the overall time for completion. Any student accommodation (e.g. extra time) will be honoured, but proportional deductions will be made.

    Warning: The Prohibit late submission function is not an alternative to Automatic submission features in Blackboard Original. These features are still present in Blackboard Ultra in the Time Limit options.
      1. Prohibit new attempts after the due date prevents students from starting new attempts after the due date has passed.

    Warning: The Prohibit new attempts after the due date function cannot be switched off once the test has been started by a student. This may be desirable in an exam, but using this function may make accommodating students allowed to take a test at a later date impossible. Controlling the number of attempts a student can have may be a more sustainable approach for assessments.
        1. Allow class conversation should be toggled off for summative assessments. It creates a discussion board linked to the Test that will need to be monitored by an instructor.
        2. Collect submission offline cannot be used in a test assessment with questions.
      1. Presentation Options
        1. Display one question at a time should be toggled on for most tests as it ensures students can focus on one question at a time. It is strongly recommended on tests with 10 or more questions. An alternative option to group questions together (perhaps around included reference material) is to use Pages with no more than 10 questions in them. To explore this option, please see OPTIONS FOR ORGANISING CONTENT AND ADDING ADDITIONAL MATERIALS. You cannot combine this feature with pages.
        2. Prohibit backtracking should be toggled off in most instances. This prohibits a student from navigating back to earlier test questions.
        3. Randomise questions will randomise the order questions are displayed for each student.
        4. Randomise answers will randomise the order of answers in Multiple choice and Matching questions.
        5. Randomise pages will randomise the page order of your test, If your test is organised into multiple pages. If you use this feature but also include guidance pertinent to the whole test on the first page, please ensure you exclude that page from the randomised order by toggling Do not randomise first page to on. You cannot combine this feature or the use of pages with Display one question at a time. See OPTIONS FOR ORGANISING CONTENT AND ADDING ADDITIONAL MATERIALS to learn more about pages in Blackboard Tests.
      2. Formative Tools
        1. Formative assessment should only be toggled on if the assessment is formative and there is no need to use formative marks in Gradebook calculations.
        2. Display formative label to students can only be toggled on if the assessment is designated as formative.
      3. Marking and Submissions
        1. Mark category should be left as Test unless you have set-up a specific Mark Category to organise the Gradebook (such as for DISTRIBUTED MARKING).
        2. Attempts allowed allows you to adjust the number of attempts a student can make to complete the test. For most summative assessments and all exams, this should be set to 1.
        3. Mark using allows you to adjust how marks are displayed in the Gradebook. In most instances, this should be set to Points.
        4. Maximum points cannot be adjusted in a Blackboard Test with questions added. If it is adjusted before questions are added, it will then default to the maximum number of points from the accumulative score of all questions in the test.
      4. Anonymous marking.
        1. Hide student names should be toggled off. If you wish to explore using anonymous marking for a summative test, please contact [PROJECT MAIL BOX].
      5. Evaluation options.
        1. Two markers per student (parallel or “blind” marking) cannot be used with test assessments.
        2. Peer review cannot be used with test assessments.
        3. Delegated Marking should be toggled off. If you require delegated marking, please refer to the Distributed Marking guidance in the OPTIONAL CONFIGURATION (IN BLACKBOARD) section of this guidance.
      6. Assessment mark
        1. Post assessment marks automatically should be left toggled off to ensure students receive their feedback and grades simultaneously.
      7. Assessment results. If you select any of the highlighted text under Submission View, Automated Question Feedback, Question Scores, or Correct Answers, you will be taken to the Assessment results timing Here, you can configure the following:

Info: Altering the following settings does not affect the release of overall marks or feedback produced by staff after the assessment’s completion.

 

      1. Toggle Allow students to view their submissions to off if you do not want students to see their submissions after completion at all. Alternatively, toggle this on and use the drop-down options to choose between:
        1. After submission, where students will see a copy of their submitted content immediately after submitting their work.
        2. After individual mark has been posted to allow students to see their submissions only when their own mark has been released to them.
        3. After due date to allow students to see their submission sonly when the due date for the assessment has passed.
        4. After all marks have been posted to allow students to see their submissions only when all marks have been posted to all students.
        5. On specific date to specify a date and time when students will be able to view their submissions. If you choose this option, a further interface to specify the date/time for submission release will appear.

Warning: DEO RECOMMENDS that question scores and automated feedback are not released to students taking summative assessments or exams before posting marks to all students. It may be possible to calculate an overall grade from individual question scores and “correct/incorrect” question feedback.
      1. Toggle Show automated feedback to off if you do not want individual (automated) question feedback to be released to students at all. Alternatively, toggle this on and use the drop-down options to choose between:
        1. After submission to allow students to see any automated feedback immediately after submitting their work.
        2. After due date to allow students to see any automated feedback only when the due date for the assessment has passed.
        3. After all marks have been posted to allow students to see any automated feedback only when all marks have been posted to all students. This is the recommended setting for most summative assessments.
        4. On specific date to specify a date and time when students will be able to view any automated feedback. If you choose this option, a further interface to specify the date/time for submission release will appear.
      2. Toggle Show question scores to off if you do not want students to see their questions scores at all. Alternatively, toggle this on and use the drop-down options to choose between:
        1. After submission to allow students to see individual question scores immediately after submitting their work.
        2. After due date to allow students to see any individual question scores only when the due date for the assessment has passed.
        3. After all marks have been posted to allow students to see individual question scores only when all marks have been posted to all students. This is the recommended setting for most summative assessments.
        4. On specific date to specify a date and time when students will be able to view their individual question scores. If you choose this option, a further interface to specify the date/time for submission release will appear.
      3. Toggle Show correct answers to choose whether or not students are shown the correct answers. This should be toggled off for exams where questions may be reused over multiple years.
  1. Assessment security

    Warning: DEO RECOMMENDS against using access codes to control access to assessments. Access codes cannot be easily overridden for individual students if they face difficulty accessing the test. If you wish to control access to a test for groups of students, consider RELEASE CONDITIONS as a more manageable alternative.
    1. Access code should be toggled off in most use cases. If it is enabled, an access code is automatically generated that students will need to enter to access and complete the test. You can refresh it to change it, if needed. You will need to disseminate this code to students who are to sit the test.
  2. Additional Tools
    1. Time limit. Select Add time limit to set a time limit for the test (in minutes) and choose either:
        1. Work is automatically saved and submitted when time expires. This feature was formally called “Auto-submit” in Blackboard Original. In most instances, this should be toggled on in summative tests and exams where a timer is set.
        2. Students have extra time to work after the time limit expires. This will allow students to continue working after the timer has elapsed, but their submissions will be marked “Over Time” in the Gradebook. Selecting this option will expand further options, allowing you to choose between

      Info: If AEAs (Alternative Exam Arrangements) or accommodations are required for individual students, please refer to the ADMINISTRATION section of this guidance.
          1. 50% meaning students will be allowed to continue for an additional 50% of the overall timer set (eg, in a 1hr test, 30mins) before their work automatically submits.
          2. 100% meaning students will be allowed to continue for an additional 100% of the overall timer set (eg, in a 1hr test, 1 additional hr) before their work automatically submits.
          3. Unlimited extra time meaning students will be allowed to work for as long as they wish and must submit the test when they’ve completed.
    2. Use marking rubric cannot be used in a Blackboard Test
    3. Goals & Standards should not be used at this time. In the future, it may be configured with institution-wide or programme-level goals that this assessment could align to. If you are interested in exploring this option, please email [PROJECT MAIL BOX].
    4. Assigned groups is the group submission option in Blackboard Ultra. This cannot be set on a Blackboard Test.
    5. Originality Report currently applies only to files and text entered into the Additional Submission Content section. It does not apply to Essay Questions. It can be switched on, but reports will not generate for anything other than this content. For more information on configuring this section, please see TURNITIN SIMILARITY AND AI REPORT in the OPTIONAL CONFIGURATION IN BLACKBOARD section.
    6. Description. Add a description for the test. Students will be able to see this before they start their attempt.
  1. Click Save.
  2. Tests are hidden from students by default. Once you have finished configuring the assessment, you can release the submission point to students manually by toggling the Hidden from students option in the top-right of the submission point’s screen to visible to students. Alternatively, you can set a date for release. Please refer to RELEASE CONDITIONS in OPTIONAL CONFIGURATION (IN BLACKBOARD) below.

 



In some instances, it may be desirable to adjust when tests are available to students. For example, to enable access after a certain date or only to a certain group.

  1. Navigate to the submission point.
  2. Click on the drop-down arrow next to the visibility status in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Depending on the conditions already applied, this will either read:
    1. Visible to students.
    2. Hidden from students.
    3. Release conditions

Select Release conditions, which will take you to a new screen.

  1. By default, your new rule will be called Rule # where # represents the number of rules applied to this test. For example, “Rule 1”. If you wish to change the name of the rule, click the name and enter text.
  2. Choose between:
    1. All members to control access for all students on the course.
    2. Specific members or groups to add specific students or students you have added to a Blackboard group.
  3. Toggle Date/Time option to expand more details.
  4. Click either and/or both:
    1. Access from: to choose the date and time the submission point should become visible to students.
    2. Access until: to choose the date and time the submission point should become invisible to students.
  5. Performance: should be left toggled off. If you would like to explore performance related (streamed) assessment workflows, please contact the Ultra Project team via blackboard-ultra@bristol.ac.uk.
  6. Once you have made the changes you wish to, click save. This will create a rule. Additional rules (for different groups/individual students/dates and times) can then also be added).



Warning: Whilst delegated marking options exist in Blackboard, they present several issues for most workflows. Therefore, they are not recommended at this time. The below provides an alternative option.
  1. In the Blackboard course, navigate to groups from the top menu.
    1. If you don’t already have group sets in your course, you will need to click the New Group Set option in the top right corner of the screen.
  2. In the Group students option box, click the drop-down arrow and select either:
    1. Create custom groups to manually choose how many groups to produce and which students you assign.
    2. Randomly assigned groups to automatically create a number of groups with students randomly assigned to them.

Regardless of which option you chose, you can manually move students between groups either by:

      1. Clicking on the icon next to a student’s name and choosing another group to move them to.
      2. Clicking on several students, highlighting their details in black, then clicking on the icon in any of the highlighted student’s details to relocate them all to another group.
  1. Once you have assigned all students to groups, name each group so that they are easily identified by a marker. This may be the marker’s name, a pre-agreed number, or some other identifier. To rename a group, click on the current name.
  2. Ensure that the visibility option in the top-right of the screen reads Hidden from students. You can click on it to change it, if needed.
  3. Click save.
  4. Navigate to the Gradebook.
  5. Click on the cog icon to open the settings field.
  6. Scroll down to the Mark categories section and select Add new category.
  7. Enter the name of the test and press enter.

 

Follow the steps above to set up distributed marking. For details on marking using distributed marking, please refer to the Marking, Feedback and Moderation section below.



Warning: Turnitin reports generate for content submitted to the Additional Submission Content section ONLY. This section cannot be allocated a mark. It does not apply to Essay Questions.
    1. Navigate to the Blackboard Test in the Assessment, Submission and Feedback area of your Blackboard course.
    2. Click on the cog icon in the top-right corner of the screen to open the assessment settings.
    3. Scroll down to the Additional Tools section and click Enable Turnitin under the Originality Report

Warning: Configuration of similarity settings should be discussed with the academic/teaching lead prior to configuration.
  1. Configure the similarity check settings as desired. Recommended settings for most summative assessments and final submission points would be:
      1. Store student submissions in:
        1. Standard paper repository: this will store submitted papers in Turnitin’s global paper repository, making them available to all institutions for future similarity checks. You should only select this option if this is a final submission of work.
        2. Do not store the submitted papers: this will ensure that any submissions made to this submission point are not stored by Turnitin. If you are setting up a formative submission or a submission point for students to submit work in progress or drafts, you must use this setting. If you do not, the student’s final, summative submissions may generate erroneous Similarity Reports by comparing their initial draft with their final work.

    Info: In most instances, all of the comparison options should be toggled ON.
    1. Compare submissions against:
      1. Student database (on) will check all submitted work against Turnitin’s repository of submissions from both Bristol and other institutions using Turnitin.
      2. Website content (on) will check all submitted work against Turnitin’s repository of website content.
      3. Periodicals, journals and publications (on) check all submitted work against Turnitin’s repository of published materials.
      4. Institution database (on) will check all submitted work against the University of Bristol’s local repository of materials.
    1. Similarity Report:
      1. Toggle Exclude bibliographic materials on if you wish for the similarity report to ignore materials included in bibliographies. Toggling this on can provide a more accurate report in the first instance. It can be overridden in individual student’s similarity reports after submission.
      2. Toggle Exclude quoted materials on if you wish for the similarity reports to ignore materials included in quotation marks. Toggling this on can provide a more accurate similarity report in the first instance. It can be overridden in individual student’s similarity reports after submission.
      3. Toggle Exclude small sources on if you wish for the similarity report to ignore smaller sources cited in the text. If you choose this feature, an additional configuration to state how many words to ignore will appear and require adjustment.
  1. Toggle Allow students to view Similarity Reports on if you wish for students to be able to view their similarity reports. This is shown to improve a student’s understanding of plagiarism and academic integrity practices.
  2. Click Save.

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

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.

Blackboard Tests (Ultra): 1.1: Question creation & organisation


A Question Bank is a database of questions you can reuse in multiple assessments. You can import and export Question Banks between your courses. It is recommended that you finalize your questions within your Question Bank(s) before adding them to an assessment.

  1. Navigate to the Blackboard course where you are using a Blackboard Test.
  2. Select Manage Banks under the Question Banks header in the Details & Actions side menu. This will open the Question Banks.Screenshot of the Details and actions menu. The Question Banks option is highlighted.
  3. Select the + sign to open a context menu and select New. This will start a new bank of questions and take you to a new screen.An image of the "+" button in the question banks screen of Blackboard ultra
  4. By default, your question bank will be called “New Question Bank [DATE]”. To change this, click in the title at the very top of the screen.
  5. If you wish to, you can add a description of the question bank for your own or colleagues’ reference by clicking on Description in the top-left of the screen and typing in the text box provided.
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Info: Descriptions added to Question Banks are for staff reference only and are not displayed to students.
  1. Click on the + button to open a list of available questions that you can add to your Question Bank. To explore the question types you can add and how to configure them, please refer to the Adding, scoring and configuring questions (question types) section below.
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Warning: Reusing questions from another test or Question Bank will create a copy of that question in your new test. This can lead to errors, with questions being duplicated and the wrong versions being changed. For more information, please read Blackboard’s guidance on reusing questions.


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Wait and Check: Before proceeding with this section of the guidance, coordinate with administrative staff (or whomsoever adds and manages assessments). There may be specific tests you need to add your questions to so that marks are transferred to SITS correctly.
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Info: If you wish students to see a random selection of questions from a wider group (e.g., a random selection of 5 from 10 possible questions), you must add questions as a Pool.
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Warning: DEO RECOMMENDS adding Question Banks to tests via “Add a question pool” rather than as individual questions. This helps organize content and ensures updates to questions affect both the original question stored and any test it is used in.


Once a test has been created and you have created a Question Bank (or several), you can add your questions to a test.

    1. If you are not already in the test:
      1. Navigate to the Blackboard course and locate it in the Course Content feed. Normally, summative assessments are located in the Assessment, submission and feedback area.
      2. Once you have located the test, select the course’s title to enter the test.
    2. Click on the + sign under Create your assessment to start adding content and select Add a question pool. This will open the Add Question Pool screen.
      1. In the left-hand Filter Criteria menu, scroll down the list to the Question Banks section and toggle the tick-box next to the Question Bank you wish to use. This will list only the questions in that bank on the right-hand side of the screen.
    3. If you wish to use all of the questions in this bank, select Select all. Alternatively, scroll through the list of questions and select only those you wish to add by toggling the tick-box next to the question.
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Info: You should only add questions to a pool that share a common points value. You can add any number of questions to a pool (including 1) and add multiple pools to the same test, offering broad configuration options. For example, if you want to add 20 MCQ questions with a points value of 1 per-question, these can all go in one pool. If you then want to add one Fill-in-the-Blanks question with a points value of 3, this can go in another pool on its own.
    1. Once all of the questions you want to add to this pool have been selected, click Add Questions. This will return you to the test setup screen.
    2. Set the points value per question in the pool by clicking on the ovoid in the top-right of the Question Pool section.
    3. Set the Number of questions to display to students from this pool. This will be set to all of the questions by default. If you would rather students encounter only some questions from this pool at random, you can decrease this number. This operates as “Random Blocks” did in Blackboard Original.
    4. Once you are happy with the configuration, click Save.
    5. You can now add additional Question Pools if you wish to. You can also add additional individual questions (see ADDING INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS TO A TEST AND REUSING QUESTIONS) or organize the content of your questions (see OPTIONS FOR ORGANISING CONTENT AND ADDING ADDITIONAL MATERIALS).
    6. Toggle Allow students to add content at the end of assessment to off if you do not want to use this feature. Leaving this on can provide a space for students to upload working documents they used to complete the test, although these cannot be marked.
    7. Once you have finished, click the X in the top-left of the screen to return to the content feed.


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Warning: To ensure content is correctly assigned and updated, the DEO recommends creating Question Banks and linking these to the test using the “Add a question pool” option. The other options provided below may lead to errors or old information from prior tests being copied into new content. The alternatives listed below should be used with caution and attention made to the advisories for each.
  1. If you are not already in the test:
    1. Navigate to the Blackboard course and locate it in the Course Content feed. Normally, summative assessments are located in the Assessment, submission and feedback area.
    2. Once you have located the test, select the course’s title to enter the test.
  2. Click on the + sign under Create your assessment to start adding content. Choose between:
    1. Add a question type. This will allow you to add a question to the test itself, not attached to any specific Question Bank. You should bear the following in mind:
      1. If you intend to randomise the order of questions within a test, you should not add numbers to reference questions in the question description.
      2. If you add questions directly to the test, they can only be amended or updated via that test. If you then reuse this question in another test in the future (as per Reuse questions below), this will produce an individual copy that cannot be centrally updated or stored. This is not recommended as it may lead to error and/or duplication of exam or test questions.
      3. You cannot randomise a student’s chance of encountering an individually added question when they take a test. You can randomise this chance in Question Pools added alongside individual questions, but the individual question is guaranteed to be encountered.
    2. Reuse questions. This option allows you to add questions to the test from other tests or question banks. You should bear the following in mind:
      1. If you intend to randomise the questions within a test, you should not add numbers to reference questions in the question description.
      2. The Reuse questions option should be thought of as a ‘copy questions’ feature. It creates a duplicate of the question from the Question Bank or test you are copying it from. Changing the question in the original question bank will not update the copy in the test. This is not recommended as it may lead to error and/or duplication of exam or test questions.
      3. You cannot randomise a student’s chance of encountering an individually added question when they take a test. You can randomise this chance in Question Pools added alongside individual questions, but the individual question is guaranteed to be encountered.


Alongside adding questions to a Test, you can also add other items, text and images, and organize your test into a selection of pages (perhaps around a theme or around specific included reference materials that speak to those questions). To explore these options:

  1. If you are not already in the test:
    1. Navigate to the Blackboard course and locate it in the Course Content feed. Normally, summative assessments are located in the Assessment, submission and feedback area.
    2. Once you have located the test, select the course’s title to enter the test.
  2. Click on the + sign under Create your assessment to start adding content. Choose between:
    1. Add text to add instructions, information, images, links, and media. This is only visible once the student has started the attempt, so should not be used for any pre-exam/test guidance.
    2. Add local file, to upload a file.
    3. Add a page break, this will allow you to group questions together in a section (page) and control what students see first. You can randomize the questions within a page as well as the pages themselves. Some things to consider include:
      1. This option cannot be used in combination with the setting, Display one question at a time.
      2. You should consider how many questions and other content to add to a page. 10 items as a maximum (depending on the volume of materials and complexity of the questions) is likely a workable limit.
      3. Why this option makes better pedagogic sense than displaying one question at a time. Perhaps questions are grouped around a theme, or you want students to view questions in context with other materials or media added to that page.