Illustrated Instructions for BYU-Idaho Test Generator

For a multiple choice test*, write your test in Microsoft Word using the following format:

Multiple choice questions typed in MS Word. The numbered question is first. Answer choices are typed on successive lines (no blanks). An asterisk is typed in front of the correct answer. Each question is separated by a blank line

Highlight and copy all the text for the exam and paste into the BYU-Idaho Test Generator, http://www.byui.edu/insttech/bbtest.asp.

The I-Learn Test Generator text box. Test questions have been pasted in.

Save the text file. You may want to change the name of the file as you save it. Take note of the location of the saved file.

The user has the option to Open, Save or Cancel. Click Save.

The file has been saved as a .txt file. If you need to do any further editing, open the file using Notepad.

The test questions formatted by the test generator will look something like this:

Each multiple choice question begins with MC. Each answer stem is followed by correct or incorrect. Every part of the question is separated by tabs. This is the required Blackboard format for test questions. This text file can now be uploaded directly into Blackboard.

Open Blackboard and enter the appropriate course. Go to Control Panel and click either Test Manager or Pool Manager.

Click the Add Test (Pool) button near the top of the page.

Give the Test (Pool) a name. Optional: Enter a description and instructions.

Click Submit.

On the Test (Pool) Information page, click the drop down list box and find the option Upload Questions. Click the small Go button to the right of the drop down list box.

Use the drop down box to select Upload Questions option. Then click the Go button.

Click Browse and navigate to your .txt file. Set the points per question. Click Submit.

The Upload Questions screen. Click Browse to navigate to your saved file. Enter the points per question. Finally click the Submit button

You should see a confirmation page that your questions were uploaded successfully. Click OK. Your questions will now appear in a Blackboard test (or pool). You can now modify your test (pool) questions as needed.

* Note: For additional instructions concerning formatting for other types of test questions, see: http://www.byui.edu/onlinelearning/employees/testgen/word.htm

Once you have created your test, please double check each question to make sure the text, correct answers, and settings are correct. It is highly recommended that you actually take each test before giving the test to students.