Tests and Forms

Why use a Test in Learn?

Tests in Learn allow you to set up a marked assessment that includes different question types.  These can be a useful way to test a student's knowledge on a subject. A Test can also be used as a formative assessment.

Tests can be made available to test prior knowledge, check progress, or aid revision. The majority of the question types can be auto-marked and deliver timely feedback that can help enhance the student's understanding of a subject and help them make improvements in their knowledge.  

It is possible to allow students to take multiple attempts at a Test, or take the Test within restricted date/time constraints. Tests can also be set up to give students a certain number of randomised questions from a larger question bank and to reuse questions. 

What question types are available in a Test?

There is a long list of question types available for a Learn test. Some of these question types frame an MCQ question in different layouts, while others test the student's ability to recall their knowledge and enter in a value rather than picking the best available option.

The choices for question types include:

• Multiple choice and multiple response.
• True/false or yes/no.
• Matching.
• Fill-in-the-blank or fill-in-multiple-blanks.
• Calculated numeric or calculated formula.
• Jumbled sentence.
• Hot spot.
• Essay. 

For more information and guidance about these question types, please visit the Creating a Test section of the Learn Sharepoint page (University of Edinburgh login required). 

What is a Learn Form?

A Form in Learn is a survey tool and has fewer and slightly different question types available than Learn Test.  For example, you might use a Form to informally determine students' prior knowledge, get feedback, find out about students' interests, rate their skills or experiences levels, or scaffold self-reflection.

Forms are generally used for information or as part of formative assessment, but they can be marked if you wish to, for example, give participation marks or track who has complete the Form. As with tests, Forms can be anonymous or not and can be assigned to groups. 

Question types available in Forms include:

• Multiple choice.
• True/False (also yes/no, right/wrong, agree/disagree).
• Likert scale (e.g., on a scale of 1 to 4).
• Essay (for typed text responses or sharing links or media).
• File upload.

For more information about Forms and the question types, please visit Blackboard's help center. 

If you need something slightly different from a Learn form in terms of question types, complexity, or response analysis, you might also consider JISC online surveys, Microsoft Forms, or Wooclap, our electronic voting system. More information on each of these can be found at the links below.

University Computing Services: Survey Tools (JISC Online Surveys and MS Forms)

Wooclap