Best Practices for Students - Taking Quizzes in Blackboard

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Before starting your quiz or test, it is important for you to follow a few guidelines to better ensure that you will not experience technical problems that might cause your assessment to "lock":

DO:

• Close all windows on the computer and then launch a new window to login to the learning management system, Blackboard.

• Close other applications before taking the quiz/test (including chat programs).

• If there is a specific start time for the test, login 10-15 minutes early to test the connection.

• After opening the test, scroll to the bottom of the page to be sure the Save and Submit buttons are available.

DON’T:

• Do NOT take a test on an iPad, iPhone or other smartphone device.

• Do NOT navigate to other locations or applications in Blackboard after the test opens or the assessment will lock.

• Do NOT click on buttons in the Blackboard navigation while taking a quiz/test.

• Do NOT use the scroll wheel on a mouse to navigate down a set of test questions. Scroll wheels can inadvertently change answers. Use the window scroll bar not the scroll wheel.

• Do NOT open other browser windows or applications while taking a quiz/test.

• Do NOT use any of the browser navigation buttons (i.e. Back, Forward, Home, etc.) during the quiz/test.

• Do NOT click the Refresh or Reload buttons in your browser while taking the quiz/test.

• Do NOT leave the assessment page without completing the assessment and clicking the Save and Submit button at the end (if it is a forced completion test).

• Do NOT click Save and Submit until you have completed the exam.

OTHER TIPS:

• A wired connection is better for taking exams. Wireless connections, especially in public areas might have weaker connections and be prone to dropout.

• Only Instructors or Teaching Assistants can reset tests.

• If you are only able to answer one question at a time (questions present themselves on separate pages), make sure you only single-click the Next button to move forward.