Permissible exam options
A. Standard online exam
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B. Flexible time-limited online exam
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C. Fixed Start/Finish online exam
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Type of exam, and recommended assessment tools
The tables below list different types of exam (essay, MCQs etc.) and lists suitable assessment tools, depending on what time restrictions are applied.
Recommendation:
Wherever possible, use the assessment tool with which students and markers are most familiar.
If using a tool unfamiliar to students – especially Gradescope, but also Blackboard tests with a single File Response question – it is vital that students are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the tool before the exam. Module convenors are strongly encouraged to set a full mock or mini practice exam using the chosen tool, replicating exam conditions as far as possible.
View options as Word document: Recommended settings for Online Exam submission points
2. Handwritten
Mostly or entirely handwritten / hand-drawn.
| Ref. | Exam timing | Assessment tool | Similarity checking | Support exceptions for SLD students? | Comments | |||||
| 2A | Standard online exam | Gradescope | No | Yes (N/A) | RECOMMENDED
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| Turnitin | Not possible for handwritten work | No (N/A) | Need to apply ‘Allow any file type’.
Schools may prefer familiar tool if Gradescope is not used for coursework. |
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| 2B | Flexible Time-limited exam | Gradescope | No | Yes | RECOMMENDED | |||||
| Blackboard Test (File Response question) |
No | Yes | Markers have to download papers individually; no online marking facility. | |||||||
| 2C | Fixed Start/Finish exam | Gradescope | No | Yes | RECOMMENDED | |||||
| Turnitin | Not possible for handwritten work | No | Need to apply ‘Allow any file type’.
Requires separate assignment for students allowed extra time. Schools may prefer familiar tool if Gradescope is not used for coursework. |
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3. MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)
Can include multiple-choice, multiple-answer, fill in the blanks, short answer / essay questions.
| Ref. | Exam timing | Assessment tool | Similarity checking | Support exceptions for SLD students? | Comments |
| 3A | Standard online exam | Blackboard Test | No | Yes (N/A) | RECOMMENDED
Always use Blackboard Test where test consists entirely of MCQs. |
| Gradescope online assignment | No | Yes (N/A) | Some staff may prefer marking options provided by Gradescope for exams with short answer and file upload questions. | ||
| 3B | Flexible Time-limited exam | Blackboard Test | No | Yes | RECOMMENDED
Always use Blackboard Test where test consists entirely of MCQs. |
| Gradescope online assignment | No | Yes | Some staff may prefer marking options provided by Gradescope for exams with short answer and file upload questions. | ||
| 3C | Fixed Start/Finish exam | Blackboard Test | No | Yes | RECOMMENDED
Always use Blackboard Test where test consists entirely of MCQs. |
| Gradescope online assignment | No | Yes | Some staff may prefer marking options provided by Gradescope for exams with short answer and file upload questions. |
4. Multi-part
An exam where separate elements need to be submitted of different types e.g. Part A is MCQ test, Part B is Essay-type paper.
| Ref. | Exam timing | Assessment tool | Similarity checking | Support exceptions for SLD students? | Comments |
| 4A | Standard online exam | Separate submission points, using most appropriate tool for each part e.g.
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Yes (essay questions only) |
N/A
Test – Yes Turnitin – No |
Students can spend as long they like on each section.
MCQs marked automatically. Turnitin provides good and familiar experience for markers marking “essay” paper. |
| Blackboard Test (mixture of MCQs, short answer and File Response questions) |
No | Yes | MCQs marked automatically.
Markers have to download uploaded papers individually; no online marking facility. |
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| Gradescope online assignment (mixture of MCQs, short answer and File Response questions) |
No | Yes | MCQs marked automatically.
Some staff may prefer marking options provided by Gradescope for exams with short answer and file upload questions. |
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| 4B | Flexible Time-limited exam | Blackboard Test (mixture of MCQs, short answer and File Response questions) |
No | Yes | MCQs marked automatically.
Markers have to download student papers individually; no facility to annotate uploaded papers within Blackboard. |
| Gradescope online assignment (mixture of MCQs, short answer and File Response questions) |
No | Yes | MCQs marked automatically.
Some staff may prefer marking options provided by Gradescope for exams with short answer and file upload questions. |
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| 4C | Fixed Start/Finish exam | Separate submission points, using most appropriate tool for each part e.g.
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Yes (essay questions only) |
Test – Yes
Turnitin – No |
MCQs marked automatically.
Turnitin provides good and familiar experience for markers marking “essay” paper. Turnitin requires setup of separate assignment for students allowed extra time. |
| Blackboard Test (mixture of MCQs, short answer and File Response questions) |
No | Yes | MCQs marked automatically.
Markers have to download student papers individually; no online marking facility. |
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| Gradescope online assignment (mixture of MCQs, short answer and File Response questions) |
No | Yes | MCQs marked automatically.
Some staff may prefer marking options provided by Gradescope for exams with short answer and file upload questions. |
Use of timers for multipart exams
Where the separate parts of a multipart exam would best be served by different assessment tools (e.g. a Blackboard Test + Gradescope) it is possible to split the exam into two or more separate assessments. But applying a specific time limit to one or more of these assessments means that students no longer have the freedom to choose how long to spend on each part.
Recommendation:
- Do not set a timer for multipart exams where these are standard 8 hour exams or fixed start/finish exams – allow students the full exam time to complete the two or more parts.
- Use the options within the assessment tool to view late submissions e.g. Blackboard tests where not all questions were completed by the deadline.
Page last updated on March 11, 2024 by Asif Muhammad
