Take a Blackboard Test - Student Guide
Your tutor may ask you to take a test in Minerva using the Blackboard Test tool. Your Blackboard Test may contain questions of various different types, including: multiple choice, fill in the blanks, yes/no or true/false, formula, mathematical and essay-style questions. You could also be asked to upload documents to support your answers.
Before submitting assessed work online, we recommend that you also read Tips on submitting assessed work online.
In the guide below, you will find the following sections:
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- Find the Test and review the details before starting
- Timed Tests
- Taking the Test
- Navigating between questions
- Entering text responses
- Uploading files
- Saving a Test to return to it later
- Submitting your attempt
- Confirmation/receipt of submission
- After you submit
- Viewing your submission
- Tests allowing more than one attempt
- Additional guidance for Tests
Find the Test and review the details before starting
1. In Minerva, open the relevant module.
2. You should find your Test in the Module Content area of the module in the Submit My Work folder within the Assessment and Feedback folder.
Your tutor may also organise Tests in other folders and learning modules within the Module Content area. Make sure that you check the Submit My Work folder for any information available to assist you with completing your Test – for example, your School may upload an assignment brief or information about School procedures.
3. Click on the name of the Test.
4. You will see a page showing details about the Test. You should review this information carefully before starting your attempt. You will see:
- the due date
- if your submission is late
In addition, depending on the settings your tutor has used, you may see:
- the number of submission attempts you will be allowed
- a time limit, if imposed
- the maximum number of points available
- any restrictions on submitting late
- any possible goals that your tutor wants to map against
Important: Late and in-progress submissions
Finding your Test in the Activity Stream / Calendar
You can also find the Test in your Activity Stream or the Minerva Calendar tab.
If the due date has passed for a Test, you’re alerted in the Important section of your Activity Stream.
Timed Tests
Your tutor may limit the amount of time you have to complete your Test. When you click on Start attempt, a pop-up message will be displayed, asking whether you want to start the timer. If you are not ready to start at this point, select Cancel. If you are ready to start, select Start Timer.
Important information about timed Tests
When you start a timed Test, the timer will be displayed at the top of the screen, above the questions. This will let you know the remaining time in minutes and, during the last minute, the time you have left down to the last second.
Note that you can click on the eye icon at any time to hide the timer (or to show it again, if it's already hidden).
What happens if the timer expires?
If you are still working on the Test when the timer expires, you may see one of two messages, depending on the settings your tutor has applied. The most likely scenario is that you will see a message advising you that your work has been automatically saved and submitted.
In some cases (if your tutor has allowed it) you may see a message saying that you are allowed to continue working for an extra amount of time, but you may be penalised for doing so. Click on Submit Now if you want to avoid this penalty for using extra time.
Taking the Test
Click Start attempt when you are ready to begin.
Start answering the questions/uploading your documents as prompted on screen. The Submit button will be disabled until you attempt your first question (or type something into a text field).
Important: During the Test
Navigating between questions
The progress bar
While taking the Test, you will see a progress bar at the top of the screen, which shows the total number of questions the Test contains, and how many are remaining (ie, unanswered).
The Continue button, and other navigation options
Depending on the settings your tutor has applied, you may see all the Test questions on a single page, or you may only be able to view one question at a time. If you can only view one question at a time, then you will see a Continue button under the current question, which will take you to the next one.
You may also be able to see navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to jump to the First, Previous, Next, or Last questions, as well as a Questions Filter at the bottom of the screen, which you can click on to switch between All questions and Unanswered questions. (If you set it to Unanswered questions, then the questions you've already answered will be hidden, allowing you to find and move between the unanswered questions more easily.)
Note that if you leave any questions unanswered, you'll be reminded about this when you attempt to submit.
The image below shows the progress bar at the top, a Continue button under the current question, the Questions Filter at the bottom left, and the First, Previous, Next, and Last navigation buttons at the bottom.
Tests where navigation is restricted
Your tutor may have set up the Test so that you are not allowed to go back to previous questions, or skip ahead to later questions. In this case, you will not be able to see any navigation buttons or the Questions Filter at the bottom of the screen. Instead, you will see a warning message: 'You're not able to go back to the previous page in this assessment'.
If you see this warning, make sure that you answer every question in full before using the Continue button to move to the next question. If you do click on Continue before answering the question, a pop-up message will inform you that the question is unanswered, and give you the option to either Go Back or Continue. If you see this message, we recommend that you click on Go Back and ensure that you have answered the question.
Entering text responses
If you are expected to type text in response to a question, you will see a box that says Use the editor to format your answer.
If you click on this box, the full text editor will appear, where you can add and format text and/or upload attachments.
A Word count, which updates automatically as you type, appears below the text box while you are using the text editor (but note that it will not be visible after you save your answer).
Uploading files
If you are asked to upload files, open the full text editor (as explained above) and click on the paperclip icon.
Locate the document you want to insert and click Open. Your file will then be uploaded. (At this point, depending on how large your file is, you may be given the option to cancel the download).
Click Save to confirm the file upload.
A document icon along with the name of your document should appear in the editor to show it has been attached. You have the option to delete the file by clicking the trash icon to the right of the file name.
When uploading multiple files, your tutor may ask you to combine them into a zip file first. If you're not sure how to create zip files, see this guide on how to zip your files for submission.
Saving a Test to return to it later
If you want to stop working on the Test for any reason, you can choose Save and Close.
If you are taking a timed Test, you will be reminded that the timer will continue. Click on Close Draft to confirm and leave the Test, or click on Cancel to return to the Test.
When you are ready to resume working/submit, you'll be able to open the Test again by clicking Continue attempt.
Important: When leaving a Test ...
Submitting your attempt
Once you have answered the questions/uploaded the relevant documents and are ready to submit, select Submit.
You will be asked to confirm if you want to submit the Test. Click on Submit to confirm.
If you have left any question(s) unanswered when you click on Submit, then you will be warned about this. We recommend that you click on Keep working to go back and complete the unanswered question(s). However, you may click on Submit if you are happy to submit your work as it is.
Confirmation/receipt of submission
Once you have clicked Submit, you should see a 'Your submission was successful' pop-up message. This will provide you with a confirmation number and the time and date of your submission. It will advise you that you'll receive an email confirmation shortly. Note: during busy times, it can take a few hours for you to receive an email.
You will also have the option to Download a copy of your submission receipt.
After you submit
You can't edit your work after you submit. After submission, if you look in the Gradebook, you'll notice the status column for the Test will now say 'Submitted'. You may need to refresh your browser.
Viewing your submission
If you click on the name of the Test again (under Module Content) to open the information screen, you may see the option to View submission. Clicking on this will let you see the answers you submitted. Note: depending on the settings your tutor has used for the Test, you may not be able to view your submission until after your work is graded.
Tests allowing more than one attempt
Once you have submitted your first attempt, you will be able to see how your final score for Test will be calculated. This can help you to decide whether you want to make additional attempts.
1. Click on the name of the Test (under Module Content) to open the information screen.
2. Under the Marks/Attempts heading, click the link which indicates how many submissions you have submitted (eg, 1 submitted). This will open the Submission page. Under the Final Grade heading at the top left of the page, you'll see the calculation your tutor intends to use. This could be one of the following:
- Average of all attempts
- First attempt with a grade
- Attempt with highest grade
- Last attempt with a grade
- Attempt with lowest grade
3. If you want to attempt another submission, go back to the information screen (or go back to Module Content and click on the name of the Test again) and select Start attempt 2 (and so on).
Additional guidance for Tests
Submitting Group Tests
Your tutor can create a Group Test where you will collaborate with other students to submit work.
Your tutor may assign you to a Group or ask you to join a Group so that you can contribute to a Group Test.
Group Tests where the tutor assigns members
In the Module Content area, if a Blackboard Test is a Group assessment, you'll see your group name listed under the Test name. Group member names appear when you click on the name of the Test and view the information page.
Group Tests where you join a Group to participate
In the Module Content area, if you see a Join a group to participate link under the Test name, select the link to choose a Group.
Clicking the link will open the Groups page, where you can join the Group of your choice.
Once you've selected a Group, the name of the Group you have chosen will appear under the Test name in the Module Content area and on the information page for the Test.
The Test will then also be listed in your Gradebook for the module.
For further guidance on joining a Group, see Groups in Minerva.
Submitting a Group Test
Any of the group members can submit the Test on behalf the group.
- You can view a Group Test, and add work to it, without submitting it.
- If you are not ready to submit, select Save and Close. Your work on behalf of the group is saved and not submitted.
- Everyone in the group can keep track of the latest version of the work. Until a member of the group selects Submit, you can open the Group Test as many times as you want.
For guidance on how to submit the Group Test, refer to the relevant information above, keeping in mind that the Submit button can be clicked by anyone in the Group and that group members should agree on who is going to submit the Test on behalf of the Group.
Group Tests cannot be timed, but may have a due date and time.
Viewing files that have been included in a Test
Your instructor may attach files that you need to read or use to complete a Test. Your tutor decides if you can:
- view the file
- download it
- view and download it
If your tutor allows file downloads, you'll see a small Ally icon and a three dots icon to the right of the file name, this will give you the option to download the file.
If you are only allowed to view the file, you'll only see a downward arrow. Click the arrow or file name to open the file and see it within the Test page.
For video and audio files, select the name of the file to open them. You have controls for play, pause, and volume control. For video files, you can view the video in full screen.
Images are shown directly within the Test page.
Want to decide where your downloads are saved?
For most browsers, you can select where the files that you download are saved.
For example, in Chrome, navigate to Settings > Advanced > Downloads. You can select the location for file downloads and choose if you want the browser to ask each time. In Safari, you have the same capabilities. Navigate to Preferences > General > File download location.
Late submissions
Your tutor may allow you to submit a Test late. (Late submissions may be subject to penalties).
If you open a Test after the due date has passed, you will be able to start an attempt, but you will see messages alerting you that the assessment is overdue and that your submission will be marked late.
If you are not allowed to submit late, then you will not see the option to Start attempt. You will see messages saying that new attempts will not be allowed after the due date.
If you need to submit late and are not able to, or if you are unsure of the penalties for submitting late, you must contact your tutor/School.
Can I retake a Test?
Not normally but it depends on the settings your tutor has chosen.
If your tutor has enabled multiple attempts, you should be able to submit again (though the number of times you can do this will vary). See the guidance above on Tests allowing more than one attempt.
If you need to re-take the Test and are not able to, you must contact your tutor/school.
Starting a timed Test close to the deadline
If your tutor has set up the Test so that you cannot submit work after the due date, and you start an attempt too close to the due date, you will see a message on the information page stating that your time limit has changed.
Once you start the Test, a timer with the new limit will appear at the top of your submission attempt. (For example, suppose a Test is due at 4pm and is 1 hour long. You start at 3:30pm. This means you will have a 30-minute time limit as that is all the time that remains).
Test is asking for an Access Code
Your tutor may require you to enter a 6-digit access code before you can start the Test.
If your tutor wants to use the access code feature, they will share the code with you. After you type the code in, you can start the Test. You can use the code to resume a Test you have started and not yet submitted.
You won't need the code to view your grades and feedback.
If you are asked to enter an Access code and do not have one, please contact your tutor for help.