Online Test

Online Test

Create a test that learners can take up online within the Zoho People interface. Handpick questions from the question bank or use the random question generator. New questions can be added too. Single, multi-choice, and true or false types of questions can be added and the result is shown as soon as the learner completes the test. Unlike the offline test which essentially involves uploading a soft copy question paper, Online tests are carried out online as part of the course, it is also possible to grade learners.

Watch our help video to learn how to create an online test:


Some key points to know about online test

  1. Single, multi-choice, true or false, fill in the blanks, match the following, hotspot type questions can be added.
  2. Test duration can be specified.
  3. Questions can be added when creating a test or from the question bank. Random questions can be added using the Random Question Generator as well.
  4. Clicking on "Start" will be counted as an attempt.
  5. All questions must be answered within the given duration. Answers cannot be changed later.
  6. Unanswered questions will be considered as incorrect answers.
  7. Even if there are unanswered questions when time concludes, it still counts as one attempt.
  8. Results are auto-calculated and you can choose to display or hide the result at the end of the test.
  9. Based on account settings, and course grade configurations, it is also possible to grade online tests.

Creating an Online Test

  1. Navigate to the module tab in an existing course (LMS > My Courses > select a particular course > Module tab).
    or
    Create a new course (LMS > My Courses > + > Course > select blended or self-paced and add a new batch (a batch is only required for blended learning).



  2. Now create a new module and add a test or from an existing module, click the add + icon and select Online Test.
  3. Now in the Add Online Test window, enter the name and description. You can mark the test as mandatory if required.
  4. Use the Maximum allowed attempts option to specifically limit the number of attempts or allow unlimited attempts. 
  5. Choose Grade Category if applicable and click Save to proceed to the next tab. 



  6. Click on Add Assessment to begin. Use the 3 cards namely Assessment Details, Assessment Preferences, and Score Preferences to tune the assessment to your preference. 
  7. If you want the test to carry a time limit use the Assessment time limit setting, which allows you to limit time for the entire test or on a per-question basis. 
  8. If you want to shuffle questions with every attempt enable the Shuffle questions checkbox.
  9. Within Score Preferences, you can enforce a pass percentage. Specify which score is to be considered as the final score (either the last attempt score or the highest of any attempt). 
  10. Finally, enable the show marks to learner option to display marks scored, answers, etc as per your preference at the end of the test.







  11. Once all information is added and options set, click Next to proceed.
  12. You will now be viewing the Questions tab where you will add the questions of the assessment. This tab also holds the editable Introduction and Thank You sections.



  13. Click on Add Questions to add a new question from scratch or use the drop-down option to access Add from Question Bank and Add Random Question option. There are 8 types of questions you can add to your test.



    You can use the Random Questions Generator to automatically search and add the required number of questions based on the specified criteria from your question bank. The Add from Question Bank option lets you manually choose and add questions from the question bank (which comprises of the questions previously added when creating other tests). When using the question bank option, you can also import questions (XML format) by using the Import button.







    Custom feedback: Set up different feedback for correct and incorrect responses.



  14. Now that you have your questions added click Next to move to the Security tab to enable additional options that can improve the credibility of answers in the test.



  15. Now navigate to the next tab - Publish for a quick glance at the assessment and test link. (The course should be published before the test can be taken by learners). You can also click on Preview to see a preview of the assessment.



  16. The assessment is now marked ready. You will again be redirected to the Add Online Test page.  Navigate to the Test Completion tab.
  17. The Test Completion tab allows you to specify when the test is to be marked as completed. You also have the option to mark certain course entities as incomplete when the learner scores below the specified percentage. Click on Save and head to the Lock Properties tab.



  18. Use the Lock Properties tab to lock the test until a specific point in time or unless a specific course entity is completed. Finally, you can use the Resources tab to add any additional reference materials for the test. Finally, click Save to complete.

Question Types - Description & Example

Notes
Note 1: Partial marks are only available for multiple, fill in the blanks, and match the following question types.
Notes
Note 2: When Allow partial marking is disabled, (default) Candidates must get the answer completely correct to gain marks (choose all the correct choices / make the correct matches / fill the correct answers).
NotesNote 3: When Allow partial marking is enabled, the total marks will be split between the correct choices (total marks / total number of correct answers) thus, the resulting partial marks will be awarded for each correct answer.
  1. Single - only one correct answer.
    Use the radio button to mark one of the answer options as the correct answer.
  2. Multiple - multiple choices can be added and partial marks can be given for partially correct answers. 
    Use checkboxes to mark some of the answer options as correct answers.
  3. True or False- only one correct answer.
    Use the radio button to indicate if the correct answer is true or false.
  4. Fill in the blanks  - Use the Insert Blank option to insert blank spaces within a sentence. Multiple blanks can be added and partial marks can be given for partially correct answers. Candidate must fill in the blanks to answer, (choose either Exact Match or Contains to control how the answers are validated). Enable the Case Sensitive radio button if required. 
  5. Match the following  -  matches are added, Use the left and right columns to add options and corresponding matches. The choices will be automatically shuffled during the test and candidates will have to match choices correctly. Partial marks are also supported.
  6. Hotspot - an image is added, and a circle or a rectangular area is marked as the right answer. Candidates must click the correct area to score marks.
  7. Dropdown - Use the Insert Dropdown button to insert a dropdown within a sentence. Add multiple answers and use the radio button to indicate the correct answer.  Candidate must select the correct answer from the list of dropdown options. 
  8. Descriptive - The candidate must provide an elaborate answer, a word limit can be enforced. Once the candidate answers the question, an email will be sent to the course administrator/trainer to evaluate the answer and enter the marks. They can also share feedback on the answer.

Editing an Online Test

An online test can be edited by clicking on dit from the ellipsis icon.



Some important points to note regarding editing a test:
  1. Tests can be edited at any time, even after a test is marked ready or after a learner has attempted the test.
  2. Changes within the Basic Info tab (except duration), Lock Properties tab, and Resources tab will be updated immediately. 
  3. When duration is updated, the updated duration will only be reflected in all new attempts of the test. (in case of any current ongoing attempts)
  4. New questions can be added, new questions will only be shown in new attempts of the test.
  5. Existing questions can also be edited. However, if a learner has taken the test already, the learner will have to re-attempt the test as the updated question will only be shown in new attempts. 
  6. If the updated question is from the question bank, edit history can be seen by accessing the question bank. i.e, for questions with previously taken attempts the edit history is stored in the system.