Creating, Securing, and Scoring Blackboard Exams

Creating Tests

Building questions directly in Blackboard offers formats such as:

  • file-response questions for students to upload a file
  • hot-spot questions for students to click on a specific area in an image as their answer
  • jumbled-sentence type questions with drop-down menus of answer choices

Blackboard also offers advanced question “sets” which can be focused on a case study, scenario, image, or audio or video file. These sets can contain up to 10 related questions, and are useful in building pools of questions to be randomly selected for different students.

In addition to creating tests, Blackboard also has the option for creating pools. Instructors can use pools to create a bank of questions they can reuse in multiple tests. When building a test from a pool, instructors can select specific questions or categories to pull from. In her book Conquering the Content Robin M. Smith (2014), recommends having question alternatives for every competency being tested. “You can create question sets for each competency such that there are multiple question alternatives for each; thus you can give each person a different combination of questions for the test” (p. 85). One of the main benefits of pools and randomizing questions is that they can assist in preventing cheating as no two students have identical exams.

Setting Test Options

A variety of test option allow you to customize the testing experience for your students to meet your learning goals. Information on the various settings can be found on Blackboard’s Help Page.

Learn more about creating exams in Blackboard

Respondus Exam Authoring Tool (Faculty)

Respondus Exam Authoring Tool is used for creating and publishing exams directly to Blackboard. Exams are created offline in Microsoft Word or a rich text format. The software provides many time-saving tools such as equation editors, web links, and multimedia functions. Compatible with Windows only.

Blackboard also has a built in option to write questions offline in a text file and upload it into tests, surveys, and question pools. Compatible with Windows and Mac.

After you upload the file, you can edit and use the questions exactly like the questions that you create inside your course.

NOTE: Respondus Exam Authoring Tool is not required for Respondus LockDown Browser use.

Learn more about Creating Exams with Respondus

Exam Security and Proctoring

In addition to Blackboard exam settings, such as randomized questions, question pools, and time limits, there are several other options for increasing exam security. See the options below to determine which option best meets your needs. Given the various testing options available, it is critical that instructors communicate the method being used and any instructions to students well in advance of the first exam. This information should be included in the course syllabus and Blackboard site, so that students are aware of what to expect during exams.

Proctored tests offer both a secure testing environment and flexibility in scheduling. There are some different options available for various levels of proctoring.

Honorlock

Honorlock was selected as the primary proctoring solution after an extensive Request For Proposal (RFP) process.  Honorlock is user-friendly for both students and faculty and is available to use for the Fall 2024 semester in both Blackboard Original and Blackboard Ultra courses. Honorlock uses a hybrid model of proctoring, which allows students to start a proctored test at any time (without scheduling).  Throughout the test, Honorlock uses AI to flag potential violations and a live proctor will check in on a student to determine if there is a valid academic integrity concern.  If necessary, the proctor will interrupt the student to stop the behavior before the student is allowed to continue with the exam. This process allows proctors to provide a more seamless proctoring experience.  Students appreciate less interruptions and spend less time waiting for a proctor.


Learn More about Setting up Exams with Honorlock

ProctorU

ProctorU will continue to be available through the Fall 2024 semester as we transition to Honorlock. There are two options for ProctorU service levels - Auto with Review (or Review+) and Live+.

Please note: Some Blackboard and ProctorU screens may include text or instructions about the Guardian browser. Please advise your students to disregard any references to the Guardian browser.

ProctorU Faculty Getting Started Workshops

Watch a recording of the ProctorU Quickstart Workshop for Live+ and Record+ Exams. You will be asked to register first, and then will be able to view the recording.

  • Auto with Review (or Review+) is the recommended option for most exams.
    • With this option, students do not schedule an appointment. At the time of the exam, the student will access the exam from the Blackboard course to connect to ProctorU. The student's audio/video and computer screen will be recorded throughout the duration of the exam. The session recording is then reviewed by a proctor from ProctorU. Any potential exam integrity incidents are documented and reported to the instructor.
    • Encourage students to take the ProctorU Auto with Review Practice Quiz in the UND Blackboard Student Resource Course prior to the first exam. Visit the Student Exam Security web page for more information.
    • At this time, ProctorU auto exams are not compatible with Blackboard Ultra course sites.
  • Live+ is available for higher stakes exams and requires prior approval from the department Chair and Dean for use in on-campus courses.
    • With this option, students connect to a live ProctorU proctor who monitors the student's audio/video and computer screen throughout the exam. Any potential integrity incidents are documented and reported to the instructor.
    • Students must schedule an appointment prior to the exam date. ProctorU advises faculty add exams to the system as far in advance as possible to allow students to schedule their appointments before slots are full.
    • ProctorU Live exams can be used with Blackboard Ultra course sites.

Learn more about setting up exams with ProctorU

Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Blackboard. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. When an assessment is started, students are locked into it until they submit for grading. Compatible with Mac and Windows.

NOTE: Respondus LockDown Browser does not require use of Respondus Exam Authoring Tool.

Instructors

Instructors can use the following links to learn more about Respondus LockDown Browser and how they can start using this software now:

IMPORTANT NOTE: When using Respondus Lockdown Browser in Blackboard Ultra courses, an error may appear stating: "Blackboard.ndus.edu refused to connect." To fix the error, instructors must occasionally access their course and launch the Respondus Dashboard via blackboard.ndus.edu to maintain the integration. This security measure ensures continued access and functionality.

Students

Students can use the following resource to learn to use this user-friendly software to take their exams:


YuJa Proctoring

YuJa Exam Proctoring allows the student to record video/audio and their computer screen while completing an exam. The recording is securely allocated to a centralized instructor folder, which will prevent distribution of the exam recording by the student. Please note that YuJa Proctoring will no longer be available after June 2025, due to YuJa no longer including proctoring in their recording software contract.

YuJa Proctoring with Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser can be used in addition to YuJa Proctoring for an extra layer of exam security. Please note that YuJa Proctoring will no longer be available after June 2025, due to YuJa no longer including proctoring in their recording software contract.

Respondus LockDown Browser is a secure custom web browser that locks down the testing environment within Blackboard; test-takers are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. Instructors may opt to add exceptions (e.g., allow printing or access to a certain web page). When an assessment is started, students are locked into it until they submit for grading. It's compatible with Mac and Windows.

Student Exam Security Information

Student Steps for Online Exam Proctoring - This web page includes information on the proctoring process for students enrolled in semester-based online courses. You may share this link with your students to help them get started with ProctorU.

Additional resources for setting up proctored exams in Blackboard can be found in the UND Faculty Resource Course in Blackboard under Blackboard > Assessing Student Learning > Blackboard Tests, Surveys & Pools.

Scoring Blackboard Exams

GradeHub has merged with Gradescope. Former GradeHub users and all UND faculty now have access to full suite of Gradescope assignment types

​Gradescope​ is a feedback and assessment tool that reduces the pain and time associated with grading exams, homework, and other assignments. It is widely used for delivering assessments remotely and enables instructors and graders to provide better and more timely feedback, resulting in improved learning outcomes.

A few highlights include:

  • More quality and timely feedback, resulting in improved learning outcomes
  • Dynamic rubrics that help streamline the tedious parts of grading while increasing
    grading consistency and decreasing bias
  • Various assignment types ranging from fully online with many question types to
    handwritten, or a combination of the two
  • AI-assisted grading which allows instructors to automatically group similar answers and
    grade all the answers in each group at once

Join us for an online workshop and learn how instructors use Gradescope. The workshops will offer guidance on using Gradescope for assessments that are either in-person or remote. We will also cover the workflow of using Gradescope integrated with Blackboard.

In these workshops you will learn how to:

  • Set up either paper-based, online, or Bubble Sheet (Scantron replacement) assignments
  • Grade your existing exams and homework on Gradescope
  • Make rubric changes as you grade - changes apply to previously graded work to maintain consistency
  • Write each comment only once - apply previously used comments with a click
  • Use ‘assignment analytics’ to gain insight into student learning
  • Take advantage of the Blackboard integration

Join us for one of the following workshops (all workshops will be virtual):

  • Gradescope Face-to-Face Assessments - Thursday, September 9th at 12:30pm - 1:30pm Central
  • Gradescope Remote/Online Assessments - Thursday, September 9th at 1:30 - 2:30pm Central
  • Bubble Sheet Assessments - Friday, September 10th at 10am -11am Central

Register and reserve your spot here: https://info.gradescope.com/und-workshop

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