How to create a basic test

Applies to

Content developers

Prerequisites

Before completing this task:

Have one or more completed items available in the Item Library.
Understand the basic structure of the test you want to create.

Purpose

This guide explains how to create a basic test in TAO by assembling existing items into an assessment. Creating a test allows you to define the order of questions, organize content into sections, and prepare an assessment for delivery to test-takers.

Steps

1. Open the Tests module

Select the Tests icon in the Assessment Builder Bar.
Review the Test Library displayed on the left side of the screen.
Navigate to the folder where you want to create the new test.

2. Create a new test

Select the destination folder in the Test Library.
Click New Test.
Enter a name for the test.
Click Save.

3. Open the test authoring view

Select the newly created test.
Click Authoring in the Action Bar.

4. Organize the test structure

Tests can either have a flat structure (all items added to one test Part) or be organized into Test Parts and Sections:

Test Parts are the highest level of organization.
Sections are subdivisions within test parts.

To add structure:

Click New Section to create an additional section.
Click New Test Part to create an additional test part.

If no additional structure is added, all items will be placed in the default Part 1, Section 1.

5. Search for items

Use the Item Library on the left side of the screen.
Select Item from the drop-down menu above the library.
Browse folders containing available items.

You can locate items using one of the following methods:

Basic search

Open the appropriate item folder.
Enter a keyword in the search box.
Review matching results.

Advanced search

Click the + icon next to the search box.
Select search criteria from the available metadata fields.

6. Add items to the test

Select the item you want to include.
Click Add selected item(s) here.
Repeat for all required items.

Recommended: Add items in the order they should appear in the delivered assessment whenever possible.

7. Reorder or remove items/sections

To modify the item sequence:

Use the Up and Down arrows to move items or sections within the test.
Select the Delete icon to remove unwanted items/sections.

8. Edit the properties.

Select the cog wheels icon to view the configuration properties for the test, test Parts, Sections, or individual Items.
Configure the test’s settings:

Level	Configurable properties
Test (entire)	Time limits Define the scoring method for the assessment
Part	Test navigation (linear vs non-linear) Test taker tools Time limits
Section	Test taker tools Randomization of items and sections (Selection and Ordering) Time limits
Item	Designate an item as required or fixed even if shuffling is enabled at the Section level Test taker tools Weights (for test scoring) Time limits

9. Save the test

Save your work regularly while building the test.
Perform a final save after all items have been added and organized.

Next Steps

After creating the test, you must create a delivery to make the test available for use in a session.