Create Tests in Blackboard

You are viewing instructions for Ultra view in Blackboard

If you did not elect to use Ultra, go to our Original course view page instead. Original view is the current UAS default. 

Overview of Tests in Blackboard

Note: If you are writing a long test, it is a good idea to keep a back up copy of questions outside the Blackboard environment (for example in Word or Google docs). Blackboard is a browser-based system and internet outages or other server-related issues, especially here in Alaska, can cause your hard work not to be saved.
Note: CELT has a subscription to Respondus available to UAS faculty, and links to free tools for test creation. See below for more details.  

On the main Content page, select the plus sign wherever you want to add a test. In the menu, select Create to open the Create Item panel and select Test. You can now add  a question type, a question pool or reuse questions from existing assessments. Select "add text" to add instructions or other information for the test. 

When adding questions, like multiple choice questions, you can use the checkbox to mark the correct answer. 

There are several question types in Ultra; for example you can add a picture with "hotspots" for more visual questions, like in the image below. Click on the points in the pill shaped box to change the number of points for any question. 

You can learn more about the different test question types available in Ultra Course View here. 

You can add page breaks to create sections or groups of questions, but note that page breaks won't work if you choose the option to display one question at a time or randomize questions. 

Note that you no longer need to "deploy" tests in Ultra, but you do need to ensure they are "visible" to students. 

If you want to create a survey to gather feedback, create a form instead. 

Importing Tests

• Many publishers provide test banks or test creation tools. Contact your publisher's rep for information and support.
• UAS has a site license for a Windows test creation program called "Respondus" (Windows only). More about Respondus. 
• The University of Arkansas has a Blackboard Test Question Formatter. You can use this tool to copy your test questions and create a document that is in the correct format for easy upload into Blackboard. ‌
• Oklahoma University also has a Blackboard Test Question Generator that you can use to generate or copy questions from a document. You can then generate a question pool to upload to Blackboard.