Check Your Browser

Students should review the Supported Browser Guide to ensure that they can access their Blackboard course content and troubleshoot commonly experienced browser problems before taking a test.

At this time, we you may use Firefox 3.6 +, Google Chrome 10+, Internet Explorer 8 or 9, or Safari 4+ to access Bb content.

Check Your Browser Settings

Please use the Browser Tester to make sure you have the following settings enabled before you launch your exam: Javascript, Java, and Cookies.

Be Aware of Your Computer's Internet Connectivity

Please be aware of your computer's Internet connectivity, especially if you are using a wireless connection.

If you experience a failure of your Internet connection/system while you have a test open, keep the assessment browser window open and attempt to re-connect to the Internet immediately. If the browser is kept open and the connection is re-established, you may be able to successfully continue with and submit the test.

If the screen freezes while you are taking a test, try clicking a "Save" button next to just one of the questions. However, do not save each question as you are taking the test as this has been known to cause problems. It is ok to click the "Save" button at the bottom of the page.

Understand Test Formats

Online tests can contain questions in multiple choice, fill-in-the blank, matching, essay, or other formats. To help you better understand taking online tests in Blackboard, we recommend familiarizing yourself with what types of online test formats your instructor may use.

Force Completion

Once you begin taking the test, you are required to work until you finish it. As soon as you leave the test, whether or not you have actually clicked the "Submit" button, your attempt is recorded in the grade book as complete. If you leave the quiz without completing it, you will not be able to come back and finish it. If this happens, contact your Instructor.

Allow Multiple Attempts

You are permitted to take the test more than once, usually so that you can meet a minimum score. Note, however, that sometimes an instructor may use this setting so that if you are accidentally bumped from the quiz, you can get back into it without instructor intervention. Be careful not to go back into the test unless you truly want or need to take it again.

Timed Assessment

The instructor has set a time limit. The elapsed time appears at the bottom of the browser window, and you will receive a 1-minute warning when time is up.

Password Protected

Your instructor has safeguarded the test with a password, which s/he will provide to you before test time.

All at Once Question Display

All of the test's questions will appear on one Web page. Each question has a "Save" button so you can save as you go. Or you may choose to scroll down to the bottom of the page periodically to click the "Save" button there. Doing so should help protect you in case of technical difficulties.

One at a Time Question Display

Questions appear one by one as you click a question navigation button (next, previous, first, last). Clicking the "Next/Forward" arrow button automatically saves each question as you go.

Backtracking Prohibited

If test questions are being displayed one at a time, and backtracking is prohibited, you will not be able to go back to any questions once you have answered them.

Know Not to Do The Following Actions When Taking a Test

Please avoid performing any of these actions when you are taking or submitting a test, as they often cause technical difficulties.

• Do not click the browser's "Back" , "Refresh", or "Home" button.
• Do not exit a test without submitting it.
• Do not resize your browser window.
• Do not open other browser windows or applications while taking a quiz or test.
• Do not have instant messaging or other chat tools on.
• Do not have e-mail notification or Call Waiting on.
• Do not leave the browser window open and idle for an extended period of time.
• Do not use the scroll wheel on your mouse to move up or down the page. Doing so might change your answers! Instead, use the scroll bar on the webpage or the up and down arrows on the keyboard.
• Do not click the "Submit" button more than once to submit your test.
• Do not double-click any "Save" or "Submit" buttons. Only click once.
• Do not click anywhere in the test while the page visually indicates that it is saving an answer or while a similar process is in progress.
• Do not copy and paste text from a Word document into text-fields.

Wait for Your Questions to Load

Please wait until your questions have finished loading on your page before clicking or saving answers in the test environment.

Know How to Keep Your Test Session Active

When taking a Blackboard test that displays all the questions at once on a page, it is recommended that you periodically click the "Save Answer" or "Save All Answers " button. For example, click a "Save Answer" button every 5 questions.

This will help keep your Web browser active and connected to Blackboard during the testing session, resulting in a lower risk of test submission error or time-out error.

Remember to Submit Your Test

When you are done taking the test, click the test's "Submit" button one time so that it can be graded. You will not get credit for your answers unless you have clicked "Submit".

Save Your Confirmation Page and Review Your Grade

Once you have submitted your test, you should see a confirmation page that will display your score and other details of your attempt. We highly recommend saving or printing this page so that you have evidence of your completion of the test in the event of a technical difficulty.

Also check your course's grade book (i.e. My Grades link) to verify that your completed test was recieved. A received, ungraded test will be labeled in the grade book with a green exclamation point icon. A graded test will display a score or link to review your test and any comments or feedback the instructor has left for you.

If you see a gray "In Progress/Failed Attempt" icon in the grade center, you may have encountered a technical difficulty in submitting your test. If this occurs, contact your instructor immediately.

Only your instructor can help you if you experienced a failed attempt.