Topic Overview

Solutions to common issues students have taking Blackboard tests.

Submit a Test for a Student

If a student is unable to submit a test, but has completed the work, you can submit the attempt so that it can be graded.

1. In your course, go to the Grade Center > Full Grade Center.
2. Locate the cell containing the student's test attempt, which displays the in progress icon.
   
   
   
   
3. Hover over the cell, click on the drop-down arrow and click View Grade Details.
4. On the Grade Details page, click View Attempt.
5. Be sure the answers were saved.
   1. If multiple questions are marked with No Answer, you can Clear Attempt. The student will have to take the test again from the beginning.
6. Click Test Information to expand the section.
   
   
   
   
7. If you are satisfied with the student's test attempt, click Submit Attempt.
   
   
   
   
8. Click OK to confirm the attempt submission.

Clear a Test Attempt

If a student experiences a technical problem while taking a test or needs an additional attempt, you can help by clearing the test attempt. When you clear an attempt, the grade is cleared from the Grade Center and the student can retake the test.

1. In your course, go to the Grade Center > Full Grade Center.
2. Locate the cell containing the student's test attempt, click on the drop-down arrow, and click View Grade Details.
   
   
   
   

3. On the Grade Details page, click Clear Attempt.

   
   
   
   
   

   Note

   You may also Ignore Attempt, which retains the first attempt, but allows the student to take the test again.

4. Click OK to confirm and remove the attempt.
5. On the Grade History tab, the action is recorded with "Attempt Grade Cleared." In the Grade Center, no grade or icon appears in the student's test cell.

Test Access Log

Instructors and TAs can view a test attempt's Access Log for a list of times of various student interactions with the test. The log can help to confirm whether a student began a test or ran into problems during a test.

1. In your Blackboard course, click on Grade Center > Full Grade Center.
2. Locate the cell for the student’s test that you want to investigate.
   1. The cell must contain either a grade or a Needs Grading exclamation mark for an access log to be generated. If you submitted the test for the student, an access log is not generated, unless the student clicked Save All Answers.
3. Click the dropdown arrow in the cell and click Attempt.
   
   
   
   
   
4. On the Grade Test page, expand the Test Information section.
   
   
   
   
5. Click Access Log.
   
   

The Access Log shows a detailed list of every interaction a student had with the test for that attempt. The log shows the time the test was started, when each question was saved, and when it was submitted. An unusual gap in activity might be interpreted as a connectivity problem if the student claims to have had one. However, the system cannot determine what caused the time gap—it can only show that it occurred. Be aware that the time spent on a question may include the time the student spent looking at other questions before saving that answer.

Sources and Relevant Links

Blackboard - Resolve Student Issues with Tests