Setting a time limit
You can set a time limit for your test if required.
To add a time component, launch the Test. Select the Assignment Setting (cog icon), under the Additional Tools section, select Add time limit.
Enter the time in minutes and select the relevant option under Submission rules.
For more details on how to set up a test, see the following guidance: Setting up a Test
Please note, scenarios illustrated in this guidance are based on set up commonly used for summative test. Changes in the test settings, for example, allowing students to submit late, will result in a slightly different workflow for your students.
What do students see?
The following section aims to capture scenarios for timed tests, to provide a staff an idea of what students would potentially see when attempting the test.
These sample scenarios are based on a test set for 60 minutes, with a deadline set for Friday, 8th November, 5:00 p.m. with the following test settings and conditions.
- Students have a 24 hour window to complete the test.
- Students are not allowed to submit late (Prohibit late submission option in Test setting turned on).
- Attempts will auto submit when timer ends (Auto submission under Time limit setting turned on).
- Student with accommodation awarded 25% extra time – they will receive 75 minutes
The timer will start when the student launches the test.
Scenario #1: Starting the test close to deadline or with less than allocated time
If a student starts the test with 10 minutes left before the deadline (i.e. at 4:50p.m. on Friday, 8th November) would they get the full 60 minutes or will the time be shorter?
The deadline will take precedence. The student will get the remaining minutes left up to the deadline. For example, in this case they would get 10 minutes.
Scenario #2: Time left for second attempt
If the test is set to allow multiple attempts, will the student get 60 minutes for each attempt?
No, the student will get 60 minutes in total. The timer will launch once the student starts the first attempt. With Prohibit late submission enabled, the student will only have any remaining time left for the second or subsequent attempts. For example, if the student had spent 45 minutes for the 1st attempt, they will have 15 minutes left on the timer when they start the second attempt.
Scenario #3: Abrupt shut down of browser/computer
If the student’s browser window or computer shuts down abruptly whilst taking the test, would Blackboard save their progress and how would this impact the timer?
Yes, Blackboard will save the student’s progress as they work on the test, allowing them to continue the attempt. However, they would lose the time from the moment of disruption up to restarting the test.
Scenario #4: Student with accommodation (extra time)
If a student has been awarded extra time to complete the test (via time limit accommodation), would they get the full time allocation if they start the test with few minutes to deadline? And would they be able to start a new attempt after the deadline?
Unlike Scenario 1 above, in this case the accommodation will take precedence.
Yes. A student with extra time /accommodation, will get their full time allocation even if they start the test close to/a few minutes left to the deadline and will be able to continue the attempt in progress past the deadline until the timer ends and auto submits the work (if this setting has been selected). When a submission is made after the deadline, this will marked as Overdue/Late.
No. If the deadline has passed, the student will not be able to start a new attempt.
Scenario #5: Student with accommodation (extra time) and multiple attempts
Will a student with accommodation get their full time allocation for each attempt?
Yes. The student will get their full time allocation (in this example, 75 minutes) for each attempt.
Previously, if a test was hidden from students whilst they were working on it they would be removed from the test. This no longer happens. If a student is midway through a test they are able to finish it unless the save and exit without submitting it. They will then no longer be able to access the test again.