Blackboard Support
Online Testing Tips:

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Do NOT try to print out questions or copy & paste items this may cause your browser to freeze or change to a blank screen, requiring restarting your computer.
• Do not exceed the time limit given or you may receive a substantial point deduction per minute you go over. The Blackboard timer is the sole arbiter of any time disputes.
• Don’t click on the test link until you have time to take the entire assessment in one sitting!! The timer starts when you first click on the test link and runs continuously until you submit the completed test. Even if you lose your connection to the internet or exit the exam, the timer will still continue running.
• If your instructor allows you to exit a test and re-enter it, that does NOT mean you can "save" the test and stop the timer. The timer will continue to run whether you are actively taking the assessment or not. The "save" notation in the exam window simply means that you can exit the test and come back to it at the question you left off -- it does NOT mean the timer stops when you do that. This is the way the timer is supposed to work (this prevents you from stopping the timer to look up answers, etc.)

HOW TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE EXAM:

• If questions are presented one at a time, clicking on the “arrow” at the bottom right corner of your test screen will submit your answer to Blackboard's server. If a popup window appears asking “Are you sure you want to submit this question now?” Answering "yes" will take you to the next question and "save" your answer.
• Do NOT use your browser’s forward or back arrows to advance through the test! Only navigate using controls in the test screen itself in Blackboard or you will get kicked out of the test.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS:

• Blackboard provides a little menu with hyperlinks to every single question along with a notation as to whether an answer is saved next to each question number. When you first get into the test, you will see a menu just below the instructions entitled "Question Completion Status". You will also see a little "down" arrow in front of that. Click on the down arrow. Hyperlinks will appear for every single question on your exam.
• When you finish a question in the one-at-a-time format, your answer is automatically saved once you hit the "arrow" key at the bottom of the test screen. You can also manually save any answer by clicking on the "save" button. When an answer is "saved", you will see a little diskette sign next to the question number in the question completion status menu. This indicates that an answer has been saved.
• It is up to you to ensure your answers are saved and recorded prior to submission of your exam.

OTHER TIPS:

• Before taking any assessment, make sure you have allowed popup windows and cookies for Blackboard's server. You need pop-ups in order to be able to see prompts and cookies for Blackboard's software to operate properly.
• It is safest to only have the testing window itself open while taking an exam. If you run other programs, particularly those that use a lot of memory (such as IM or chat software), you will create problems with tests.
• If you miss answering any questions and then try to submit your completed exam, you will get a popup window will appear saying that "The following question may be incomplete. Do you want to continue?" -- This is reminding you that no answer is recorded for that question and asking if you really want to submit your test. If you click "yes" that you do want to submit the test -- despite questions being left blank, you will NOT be able to return get back into the exam to answer them again later.
• Answer every question -- if you don't know the answer to something, just guess. You at least have a 25% chance of being right. No answer will give you a zero on that question. Don't leave questions unanswered!
• The testing window can be made larger by clicking on the "maximize" button in the top right corner. Questions that have graphics may require you to scroll down the page to see the entire question.

Frequently asked Questions

I was taking a test and lost my internet connection. I tried refreshing the screen but now I get a message saying that "The assessment contains no questions; it cannot be taken." What can I do to get back into my test?

The message you saw happens when you lose your internet connection or your connection to Black board's assessment module while taking the exam. Simply refreshing the screen will not get you back into the test; in fact, you should NEVER use any of your broswer buttons (forward arrow, back arrow, or refresh) while taking an assessment because if you do you will get booted out of the test.

If you lose your connection or get a timeout message you will have to contact your instructor to reset your exam. Before taking the exam again you should log out of Blackboard entirely and close all windows. Then you should do the following: Then log back into Blackboard and click on the quiz link again.