Taking Assessments on Blackboard

Before you begin taking assessments in Blackboard, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your quizzes and tests are submitted successfully.

Before you take the assessment

• Make sure you are using a supported browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer is recommended).  The AOL browser is NOT supported by Blackboard.  If you are an AOL user, you can find instructions for using an alternate browser at the end of this document.
• Make sure any Pop-up blocking software is disabled.  Pop-up blockers will prevent some assessments, and saved answer confirmations, from opening in a new window.
• Make sure you have given yourself ample time to take the assessment.  You should prepare to sit down and complete the assessment just as you would in a classroom environment.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that you are using a supported computer configuration.  Student computer labs are available at each ACC campus and will have a supported configuration.

During the assessment

• Focus on completing the assessment.  Do not open any additional software applications, check email, or browse the Internet in other windows.
• Do not use your browser’s back button during the assessment.  If the assessment is displayed one question at a time, make sure you use the navigation buttons built into the assessment.
• Do not leave the computer idle while an assessment is in progress.  Your Blackboard session will automatically end after three hours of inactivity.
• Save your work frequently!  Use the Save button at the bottom of the assessment to save your work as you complete the assessment.  Your instructor will be able to see any answers you have saved.  Saving your work also updates your Blackboard session, ensuring you will not be logged out due to inactivity.  Some Internet service providers will also disconnect you due to inactivity; saving frequently will prevent disconnections from your ISP as well.

Types of Tests

Each Blackboard assessment may be configured differently.  The testing options for each assessment will be listed at the top of the assessment in the Instructions area.

Assessment Display

• All at once – All questions are displayed on a single page.  The "Save" and "Submit" buttons located at the bottom of the assessment.
• One at a time – The assessment is presented to the student one question at a time.  Navigation links are provided within the assessment; do NOT use your browser’s navigation buttons.  Your answers will automatically be saved each time you move to a new question.

Force Completion
The force completion option indicates whether or not you may save an assessment and then resume the assessment at a later time.

• This Test must be completed now. It cannot be resumed later – The entire assessment must be completed and submitted back to Blackboard for grading.  You will not be able to resume the assessment at a later time.
• This Test can be saved and resumed later – Students are allowed to save their answers, exit the assessment, and resume the assessment again at a later date.

Multiple Attempts
Multiple attempts indicate whether or not you may take an assessment multiple times.  An assessment attempt begins once you select “Yes” when prompted with, “Are you sure you want to take this assessment now?”

• Not allowed. This Test can only be taken once - Multiple attempts are not allowed, you will only be able to access this assessment once.
• This Test allows multiple attempts - If multiple attempts are allowed you will be able to take the assessment numerous times.  Grades received on previous attempts will be reset once a new assessment attempt has begun.

Note: If you have been locked out of an assessment you will need to contact your instructor.  Your instructor is the ONLY person who can reset a quiz attempt.

Timed Assessments
Some Blackboard assessments may be timed.  All timed assessments display the allotted time in the Instructions area of the test.  Supported Internet browsers will indicate the time remaining in the status bar of the browser **.  All browsers should display a one-minute warning pop-up message when there is one minute remaining in the allotted time.  You may still submit an assessment after the time limit has expired, although your instructor will be notified that the time limit was exceeded.

** Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 and Mozilla Firefox will not display the remaining time in the status bar by default. To allow the remaining time to display in the status bar, you must make the following configuration change within your browser:

Internet Explorer 7

• Go to: Tools > Internet Options
• Select the Security Tab and ensure that Internet Zone is selected
• Click the Custom Level button
• Scroll down to the Scripting section and enable "Allow status bar updates via script"
• Click the OK button twice to apply changes

Mozilla Firefox

• Go to: Tools > Options
• Select the Content tab
• Click the Advanced button next to "Enable Javascript"
• Check the box for "Change status bar text"
• Click the OK button twice to apply changes

* AOL Users
To access Blackboard with an alternate browser, follow the steps below:

1. Connect to AOL as you normally would
2. Minimize the AOL browser window
3. Next, launch a supported browser such as Internet Explorer
4. Connect to Blackboard at http://acconline.austincc.edu