How to create a test?

Testportal allows you to create online quizzes, tests and exams tailored to your needs. You can select various question types, create test sets, choose access type, grading criteria, time limits, and explore other helpful features. You can also oversee your respondents during their remote assessments with Testportal's anti-cheating features.

Here, we will explain step by step how to create an online test that's engaging for your respondents.

Online test creation

To create a test, follow these steps:

In the My tests menu, click the green New test button. Next, you'll see the Basic settings screen. There, you can start working on your new test.

Clicking the New test button opens the Basic settings menu of a newly created assessment

Basic settings

Here, you will find two sections:

• Initial settings

Enter your test name. You can add a new test category or choose from the previously created ones. Categories are helpful if you want to author tests from various fields of knowledge. In the Description, you can include additional information about the assessment.

• Logo

You can add a logo to the new test if your plan supports this feature. You can also use the Testportal logo (default option) or hide a logo. Find more about how to add the organization’s logo to your test in another of our Help Center articles.

Confirm Basic settings by clicking the Save button at the bottom of the screen.

How to create a question - questions manager

• Adding new test questions

To add the first question to your test, select the Questions manager tab in the Test configuration menu on the left-hand side, and then:

1. Click the green Add question button.

2. Then, add the content of your Question 1 in the text box.

3. Next, select a question category or add a new one if needed.

Add the first question, then click Save and add next until your test is ready

Select an answer type from 6 different variants (e.g., short answer) the platform offers. You can also find out more about what question types can you create on Testportal.

You can also enrich your questions with various attachments, to make them more engaging and demanding. Read more about how to add a file to a question or answer on Testportal.

• Adding answers to questions

Add answers. For single-choice or multiple-choice questions, indicate the correct answer(s) by ticking the checkbox to the left of the answer.

Remember that short answer questions are case-sensitive. When checking a short answer question test, you will be able to mark answers as correct, even if they don't appear in the defined answer key.

To delete an answer, use the trash can icon to the right of it.

1. To add another answer field, select Add answer.

2. After adding answers, configure the Score settings section and save the question with the Save or Save and add next button.

3. Add more questions and answers in the same manner until your test is ready.

Test sets

In the Test sets section, you can configure the question order. Choose Random questions and answers order if you want the respondents to receive a randomized order of questions and multiple-choice answers.

You can define the number of questions drawn from the entire pool or each category. You can also configure test sets manually. For more information, see how to create test sets.

Question randomization is a great tool to fight cheating and ensure result reliability

Test access

Now, it's time to configure how your respondents can access your tests.

Testportal offers various types of test access to cater for all your needs

Online test sharing is possible via:

• a link,

• private access codes

• a group password,

• link (training/quiz),

• sharing as a tab in Testportal for Microsoft Teams.

If you choose private access codes, fill in the Number of respondents and click Add. Next, enter your respondents' emails in the table.

You can also use the training mode, in which you won't be able to see you respondents' results.

Email addresses you enter will receive their unique test access codes

Find out how to create a list of respondents to add them in bulk and save time.

Our Test access menu is also where you can configure the Honest Respondent Technology. To know how often respondents leave the test browser, select Enable warnings only. On each attempt to leave their tests, respondents will see a warning.

Set the Max. allowed number of times a respondent can leave test page to terminate the assessment for dishonest test-takers automatically. Click Save to confirm settings.

You can also find more information about the access to test on Testportal.

Test start page

The Test start page is where you add Instructions for respondents and configure the Test start form. Choose from the default fields or configure your own if needed. Click Save to confirm settings.

Test start page is what your respondents will see before starting their online quizzes, tests or exams

If you need to include personal data processing information, etc. and/or add a consent form to the Test start page, our EDU University, MAX and MAX Customized plan feature that option.

Reach out to us using the contact form, and we will provide you with detailed information.

Grading and the test summary

• Test end message and redirection

Here, you can set the information your respondents will see after completing their assessment. You can also set a redirect to an external website.

• Grading criteria

You can define your grading scale in the Grading criteria section. Use the scale in points or percentages of points.

• Information for respondents

Here, you decide what test-takers will see in their test end message. You can also enter different information for those respondents who passed the test and those who failed it.

Time settings

• Test duration

Testportal allows you to set the online test time limit for the entire test and each test question.

For example, to give respondents 30 minutes to complete their tests, use the Time to complete the test option.

Time limits provide better reliability of your test results

Using the Manual test activation, you can enter the test activation period. This way, the test will be active for a selected period of time. Select seven days if you want your assessment to be available for exactly one week from the activation with the Activate test button. Click Save to confirm settings.

To get the most out of your tests, read more about the time parameters.

When all test settings are ready, go through the Test Configuration again and check if all values are correct.

How to activate online test on Testportal?

You have two ways to activate a test:

• With the Activate test option, if you selected Manual test activation in the Time settings.

If you are sure the test is ready, activate it

• With the Schedule test option, if you chose Activation in a set time period in the Time settings. This will activate online test at the selected time.

Online test sharing

The next steps depend on the chosen type of test access.

Individual access codes will be automatically sent to respondents' email addresses just before the start of the test.

If you choose an access link, you must copy and send it to the respondents. Use emails, chat, or other communication methods.

If you choose a group password, provide your respondents with the sub-domain page address and test password. 

When a test is ready, remember to take it yourself before sending it to the respondents. It will allow you to spot possible errors and prepare for possible questions.

When you complete the test, you will see the result in the Test progress & results. If there are any errors in the test configuration, you can duplicate it on the My Tests screen by clicking the three-dot symbol and selecting Duplicate.

You can easily duplicate your Testportal-based online tests

It will create a copy where you can edit all questions, answers, and settings.

Remember, with the Respondent monitoring feature, you can monitor browser tab movements during test-taking. To know more, read our article about the test progress.

Honest Respondent Technology is an efficient, but non-instrusive test proctoring tool

Testportal offers extensive reporting and result analysis features. Make sure to explore more about the reports options.