Content on this page:
- Get your computer ready
- Online Exam practices areas
- Know location of Exam folder and submission point in Blackboard course
- Read guidance for the submission point you will be using for your exam. Ask your support centre if unsure.
- Turnitin
- Blackboard Assignment
- Blackboard Test
- Gradescope
- Handwritten exams/elements of exam (essential advice for submitting handwritten or handwritten elements)
Get your computer ready
It is important that you reduce any chance of technical problems during your exams by following this check list:
- Update browser to latest available version.
- Allow third-party cookies.
- Enable pop-ups.
- Disable “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking” (Safari or MAC users)
- Run browser compatibility check
- Download a second browser as a backup
- Download Microsoft Office 365 to your computer (login to Office 365 using University of Reading email to download)
- Ensure assistive technologies work (if applicable)
- Use Online Exams Practice course familiarise with submission tools (e.g. Turnitin, Blackboard Assignments, Blackboard Tests or Gradescope).
- Using Mobile devices to submit online exams is not recommended, however, if you are still planning to use Blackboard App on an iOS device, please ensure “Prevent cross site tracking is disabled” and Third party cookies are allowed.
- To resolve “Invalid state” error message, ensure third party cookies are allowed, and prevent cross site tracking is disabled (for Safari or Blackboard app)
Contact IT Service Desk if you experience technical issues.
Online Exam Practice areas
Practice areas have been created for students to help familiarise with different modes of submission, and to identify and resolve potential technical issues in advance.
To access practice area
- Log in to Blackboard as usual.
- Open “Online Exams Practice Area” from the list of courses or use search to find the course.
- If you don’t see the Practice area, please contact your Support Centre for assistance.
Know location of exam folder and submission point in Blackboard course
- Open Blackboard course.
- Scroll down to “Assessment” area.
- You will find all information and guidance in the “Important Exam Information” folder ((a) in image). Please read through all the instructions carefully before you start your exam.
- For each exam there will be a folder named “Online Exam [title of your exam]”, (b) in image. This folder will be visible but not be available to you until the start date and time of your exam. You will see a padlock icon and the text “Content isn’t available” before and after the exam time and date.
- The text below the folder will give the date and time the exam folder will open and close. It will also indicate which type of submission point will be used for your exam, you can use this information to practice with that submission type in the separate Practice Area (listed under your Courses in Blackboard).
- Exams may be a standard 9am to 5pm or a fixed start/end time window, please check in advance of the exam day, (c) in the image.
Important: You will need to refresh the page at the exams start time if you are waiting for the folder to open.
If you have difficulty accessing the Online Exams folder, please log a support call as soon as possible.
Turnitin submission point
A Turnitin submission point will be used for most essay style exam questions. You may have a separate submission point for each question on the exam.
| Function | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Open submission point | Click on the Turnitin submission point. From the panel in Blackboard click Launch. |
| Upload | Turnitin will only except one document per submission point. Insert any images of handwritten work to your word document, see Capture and insert images into a Word document for online submission. |
| File size limit | Turnitin has a 100mb file size limit. |
| Preview submission | In Turnitin click Upload and Review, this will allow you to preview your document, check that it is the correct version of your exam answer. |
| Submit | You will need to Submit to Turnitin as a final step in uploading your document. |
| Receipts | Turnitin receipts can be downloaded after a successful submission. Receipts will not be emailed to you. |
Exams setup for Turnitin
For exams the Turnitin submission point will be set:
- To not show students the similarity report.
- To allow unlimited attempts before the deadline
- To mark anonymously (only use your candidate number on your work)
Blackboard Assignment
Blackboard Assignment is used where you are required to submit more than one file or a large file.
| Function | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Open submission point | Click on the Blackboard submission point. From the panel in Blackboard click View Instructions. |
| Upload | Drag and drop files into the box provide or click on the box, this will open the text editor allowing you to attach files. |
| File size limit | Blackboard has a 250mb file size limit. |
| Preview submission | Once you have uploaded the file you will be able to preview it. Check it is the right file. If submitting multiple files check each one as you upload them. |
| Submit | You have not completed your submission until you click Submit. |
| Receipts | You will be given an opportunity to download the receipt. The receipt will also be emailed to you. |
Exams set up for Blackboard Assignments
For exams the Blackboard Assignment submission points will be set:
- To not show students the similarity report
- To allow unlimited attempts before the deadline
- To mark anonymously (only use your candidate number on your work)
Blackboard Test
Blackboard Tests are used for more Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) type tests and some essay style questions.
- Online Exams: Blackboard Tests (How to take your Test – includes essential technical advice and information on how tests work).
| Function | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Open submission point | Click on the Blackboard Test. From the panel in Blackboard click Start attempt. Click Start Timer. If you have extra time due to reasonable adjustments this will be added to the time showing on your timer. |
| Upload | For essay questions you will have access to the text editor and can cut and paste your answer or attach a file, check to see if the question stipulates where to type or attach your response. For MCQ questions, select the correct answer. |
| During the Test | The progress bar at the top of the screen will track your progress through the questions. You can hide the timer if you find it distracting. It is possible to Save and Close during the test, the timer will continue while the test is closed. |
| Submit | Test will be set to automatically submit when the timer runs out. A pop up window will alert you to this. You can submit at anytime before the timer runs out. |
| Receipts | You will be given an opportunity to download the receipt. The receipt will also be emailed to you. |
Exam set up for Blackboard Tests
For exams Blackboard Tests will be set up:
- To allow only one attempt.
- To auto-submit when the timer runs out.
- To not allow students to view their submission.
Gradescope
Gradescope is used for specific online exams:
- The submission of handwritten work, typed or a mixture of both in Maths, Sciences and Languages,
- And time-limited exams.
Your lecturer will inform you if it is being used for your exam.
Please see our Gradescope help page.
This table refers to Gradescope “Variable Length Assignments“, please see the Gradescope guidance for Online Assignment submissions or Programming Assignments.
| Function | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Open submission point | Click on the Gradescope submission point. From the panel in Blackboard click Launch. When Gradescope launches click Start Assignment. |
| Upload | Use the advice to scan and submit handwritten answers, see Scan and submit handwritten exams to an assessment in Blackboard. |
| Preview submission | Your scanned work will appear as images, tag which questions are answered on each image. Your exam has been uploaded at the point so you can take time to tag your questions. See Tagging Pages in Gradescope Assignments |
| Submit | Once you have completed the tagging task click Submit. |
| Receipts | A receipt will be emailed to you. |
Exams set up for Gradescope
- Most exams using Gradescope are time-limited, once the exam is started you must submit your work within the specified time frame.
Handwritten Exams/elements of Exam
Handwritten exams will use either Turnitin or Gradescope depending on the type of handwritten exam.
There are two main types of handwritten work,
- inserting elements (images) of handwritten work to your word document, see Capture and insert images into a Word document for online submission (usually Turnitin).
- or handwriting your whole exam, scanning it and submitting it, see Scan and submit handwritten exams to an assessment in Blackboard. (usually Gradescope).
How reduce file size
Maximum allowed file size for Blackboard assignment is 250MB, and for Turnitin it is 100MB, You may need to reduce the file size of a document by compressing the size of images in it, without losing the quality of the images.
- check Reduce the file size of my document for online submission guide for help.
Guide last updated on December 2, 2025