Test categories | User Guide

Categories are used (mostly) for aggregating the scores for the various questions and responses in terms of the learning outcomes that are being measured. They are also then referenced in the reports, by grouping together the scores for the questions that belong to each category. Certain categories, however, have other uses. This topic describes how to configure certain categories and their function.

Test taker tools

Scratchpad

This category is only available to TAO Ignite or Enterprise.

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-option-scratchpad`	Provides a test-taker with a place to make notes, in the form of a Scratchpad.	Parts, sections, items

For more information on how scratchpad works for test takers, see Test-taker tool configuration.

Answer Masking

This category is only available to TAO Ignite.

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-option-answerMasking`	Answer Masking allows the test-taker to mask and unmask answers in choice interactions. For Ignite users, answer masking is added as a category for an Item - rather than selecting it from the list of test taker tools in test authoring.	Items

Text input

Definition

Used in

x-tao-option-answerMasking

Answer Masking allows the test-taker to mask and unmask answers in choice interactions.

For Ignite users, answer masking is added as a category for an Item - rather than selecting it from the list of test taker tools in test authoring.

Items

Answer Eliminator

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-option-eliminator`	The Answer Eliminator allows the test-taker to eliminate answers in Choice interactions. This is useful if there is a long list of answer choices, and the test-taker has a learning disability.	Items

Calculators

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-option-calculator`	Simple calculator	Items, Sections
`x-tao-option-calculator-scientific`	Scientific calculator	Items, Sections
`x-tao-option-calculatorBodmas`	Bodmas calculator	Items, Sections

Highligher

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-option-highlighter`	The Highlighter allows the test-taker to highlight parts of the text in an item.	Items, Sections

Line reader

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-option-lineReader`	The Line Reader allows the test-taker to visually isolate a line of text.	Items, Sections

Text to speech

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-option-tts`	The text-to-speech functionality allows the test-taker to hear the test questions, or parts of them, read aloud.	Items, Sections

Automatic media playback

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-sequence-ended-nav-next`	This category is generally used for items containing one or more Media interaction, where the media is configured to play automatically. If this category is added, the next item (usually containing questions pertaining to the media) will display automatically once the media on the previous item has finished playing. This category is only applicable to items in test Parts with Linear navigation. For a full walkthrough of configuring automatic navigation, see this Knowledge Base article.	Items
`x-tao-manual-nav-disable`	If `x-tao-sequence-ended-nav-next` is enabled, this category will disable navigation for test takers while they are on that item. This is applicable even if the item is the last one in the section, test-part or test. This category is only applicable to items in test Parts with Linear navigation.	Items

Text input

Definition

Used in

x-tao-sequence-ended-nav-next

This category is generally used for items containing one or more Media interaction, where the media is configured to play automatically. If this category is added, the next item (usually containing questions pertaining to the media) will display automatically once the media on the previous item has finished playing.

This category is only applicable to items in test Parts with Linear navigation.

For a full walkthrough of configuring automatic navigation, see this Knowledge Base article.

Items

x-tao-manual-nav-disable

If x-tao-sequence-ended-nav-next is enabled, this category will disable navigation for test takers while they are on that item. This is applicable even if the item is the last one in the section, test-part or test.

This category is only applicable to items in test Parts with Linear navigation.

Items

Session attachments and configuration

Asset attachments for sessions (developing feature)

This category is under development and can be enabled as a Beta feature.

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-attachment-[ID]`	Experimental support for adding attachments (such as PDFs) to items and tests via the experimental Assets in TAO Portal is now available. The category is configured during test authoring; the asset must previously be uploaded and stored in the TAO Portal. The attachment can be accessed by the test-takers during an assessment. Supported formats can be previewed inline, while unsupported formats are offered for direct download instead of opening in an unsupported previewer. Supported formats are: PDF, HTML, or images. For a full walkthrough of how to add a PDF to a session, view this Knowledge Base article. If fullscreen mode is configured for the session, the download button will be unavailable and the attachment not accessible.	Parts, sections, items

Text input

Definition

Used in

x-tao-attachment-[ID]

Experimental support for adding attachments (such as PDFs) to items and tests via the experimental Assets in TAO Portal is now available. The category is configured during test authoring; the asset must previously be uploaded and stored in the TAO Portal. The attachment can be accessed by the test-takers during an assessment.

Supported formats can be previewed inline, while unsupported formats are offered for direct download instead of opening in an unsupported previewer.

Supported formats are: PDF, HTML, or images.

For a full walkthrough of how to add a PDF to a session, view this Knowledge Base article.

If fullscreen mode is configured for the session, the download button will be unavailable and the attachment not accessible.

Parts, sections, items

Adding a watermark

Text input	Definition	Used in
`x-tao-option-watermark` `x-tao-option-watermark-`	The watermark helps discourage test content leakage by providing traceability for any content that is shared via screenshots or screen recordings. The watermark is rendered as a semi-transparent overlay of numbers divided into groups. The groups consist of portions of the test taker’s login hash, which is 60 characters. Adding this options as a category allows you to apply the watermark to specific areas of a test. Optionally append `diagonal` to the prefix to change the format of the watermark. Applying the category at a higher level (e.g., test part) automatically applies it to all nested sections and items. For more information, see Watermark for session delivery.	Parts, sections, items

Text input

Definition

Used in

x-tao-option-watermark

x-tao-option-watermark-

The watermark helps discourage test content leakage by providing traceability for any content that is shared via screenshots or screen recordings.

The watermark is rendered as a semi-transparent overlay of numbers divided into groups. The groups consist of portions of the test taker’s login hash, which is 60 characters.

Adding this options as a category allows you to apply the watermark to specific areas of a test.

Optionally append diagonal to the prefix to change the format of the watermark.

Applying the category at a higher level (e.g., test part) automatically applies it to all nested sections and items.

For more information, see Watermark for session delivery.

Parts, sections, items

Test taker tools

Scratchpad

Answer Masking

Answer Eliminator

Calculators

Highligher

Line reader

Text to speech

Navigation

Automatic media playback

Session attachments and configuration

Asset attachments for sessions (developing feature)

Adding a watermark