There are some key differences between Blackboard Tests in Blackboard Learn original and Blackboard Learn Ultra.
Terminology
The Blackboard Ultra Courses includes new terminology that aligns with current standards.
This table lists the names of assessment question features in the two course views.
| Ultra Course View | Original Course View |
|---|---|
| Question pool | Random block and question set |
| Question bank | Question pool |
| Question analysis | Item analysis |
Question Banks
Question Bank are the new name for Pools in original. These are collections of questions that can be reused in multiple tests. You can:
- pull questions into your bank from tests you have set up in Ultra or an original test you have copied into your Ultra course.
- or set up questions directly in the question bank to deploy in a test.
Pools
Pools are the new name for Question Sets or Random Blocks in original. Pools are a setting you can use when creating a test. The Pools setting allows you to select Question Bank and set how many question from that bank you wish to present to students.
Question Type changes
| Original | Ultra | Copy notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calculated Formula | Calculated Formula Question | Calculated Formula Question |
| Calculated Numeric | Calculated Numeric Question | Calculated Numeric Question |
| Either/Or | True/False Question (text options right/wrong, yes/no, agree/disagree) | |
| Essay | Essay Question | Essay Question |
| File Response | Does not copy | |
| Fill in Multiple Blanks | Fill in the Blank Question (can add multiple blanks) | Fill in the Blank Question (with multiple blanks) |
| Fill in the Blank | Fill in the Blank Question | Fill in the Blank Question (There are changes to how this question type displays in a test) |
| Hotspot | Hotspot Question | Hotspot Question |
| Jumbled Sentence | Jumbled Sentence | Jumbled Sentence |
| Matching | Matching Question | Matching Question |
| Multiple Answer | Multiple Choice Question (can select multiple correct answers) | Multiple Choice Question (Will copy with multiple answers selected. Edit to select the number of options students are allowed to select.) |
| Multiple Choice | Multiple Choice Question | Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) |
| Opinion Scale / Likert | Does not copy (a separate survey tool Form has Likert questions) | |
| Ordering | Does not copy | |
| Quiz Bowl | Does not copy | |
| Short Answer | Essay Question | |
| True/False | True/False Question | True/False Question |
Please note that Blackboard Learn Ultra is regularly updated with improvements and enhancements. The information on this page will reflect these updates.
See also Blackboard Help page on Question Types.
Guide last updated on April 10, 2026