Blackboard Online Quiz Tips for Students

Review these helpful tips before taking an online quiz/test/exam in Blackboard.

Ensuring optimal performance of your laptop

1. Regularly install updates on your computer to ensure your computer does not force install updates when you are about to write a quiz.

2. Check your computer is free of viruses and spyware by running regular security checks.

3. Fully charge your battery before taking the quiz.

4. Connect to a wired high-speed internet connection if possible.
   Most wireless modems also have a wired port. If you have access to your modem and a LAN cable, you will be able to take an exam on a wired internet connection even at home.

5. If using Wi-Fi, take the exam where you receive the strongest Wi-Fi signal.

6. Check that your browser supports the most recent release of Blackboard (Blackboard Browser check).

Tips for taking quizzes

1. Put all mobile devices on airplane mode during an exam/test to avoid overloading the wireless internet.

2. Close all browser windows.

3. Do NOT start answering questions until the entire page has loaded. Watch your browser status bar to verify the entire page has loaded.

4. NEVER use the forward/backward/refresh buttons on your browser. You may get locked out of the test.

5. NEVER use the mouse scroll wheel to advance to the next question because it may accidentally change your answer to the question you just completed.

6. Be patient while waiting for pages to load once you click to progress to the next question, to save, or to submit. Do NOT double-click.

7. Keep an eye on the exam timer and double-check answers before submitting the test.

8. SAVE your answers after each question.

9. Click SUBMIT once you have completed the test. Do NOT close the browser window or navigate to another site until you see the confirmation page.

10. Do NOT ignore warning messages. Let your instructor know if you receive one.

What to do if the quiz is not submitted

1. Wait a minute. If the Submit button doesn’t work or the quiz page doesn’t react, wait a minute in case the page loads slowly. Do NOT close the browser window.

2. Note down any details about your attempt. Record the time when the quiz page froze. If the quiz is not using Respondus LockDown Browser, take screen captures of the quiz page with your answers and save it in a document. If the quiz is using Respondus LockDown Browser, take pictures of the quiz page with your answers on your cellphone (if you are allowed to have it during the exam).

3. Resume the quiz if possible. After you have made the copy of your answers, close the browser window and open a new browser window. If the quiz is using Respondus LockDown Browser, close and re-open it. Re-launch the quiz. If the given time has not been passed and the previous session was not closed by the system, you will be able to resume the quiz. The answers you already entered may not show up. Try to complete the quiz while the quiz is still available to you.

4. Report to your instructor. Email your instructor with a copy of your attempt’s evidence and a brief explanation of the problem you experienced. Your instructor will decide whether you need another chance to take the quiz.

Please note these are best practices based on our experience. There could be many other factors that can impact quiz/exam performance.

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