Introduction

Exams, tests, quizzes, and assessments are common ways instructors measure your understanding of course concepts and learning objectives. Depending on the course, your instructor may use traditional exams, timed assessments, quizzes, written assignments, discussions, projects, or other evaluation methods. The Concourse Syllabus will explain how you will be assessed in each course. This page will show you how to locate, access, complete, and review exams in Blackboard Ultra, while also highlighting important settings such as time limits, submission rules, accommodations, and instructor feedback. Understanding how Blackboard exams work before test day can help reduce stress and ensure you receive credit for your work.

Accessing Exams

Your instructor may place tests, quizzes, and exams in several different locations within Blackboard Ultra.

You may find assessments:

• Inside weekly course modules

• In the Course Content area

• Through the Activity Stream

• Through the Blackboard Calendar

• Via instructor announcements

• Inside learning modules that must be completed in sequence

Note: Assessment availability is controlled entirely by the instructor. The IDEA Team cannot make any alterations unless with instructor approval. 

Some exams may not appear until a specific date and time. Other exams may remain hidden until you complete prerequisite content.

If you cannot find an assessment, review:

• The Course Content page

• The current week’s module

• The Calendar

• Recent Announcements

• The Concourse Syllabus

• The Gradebook

If you still cannot locate the assessment, contact your instructor immediately. Do not wait until the last minute. 

Understanding Assessment Settings

Before starting an assessment, select it and review the Details & Information panel.

This area may contain important information including:

• Due date

• Time limit

• Number of attempts allowed

• Instructions

• Availability dates

• Point value

• Grading rubric

• Accommodations

• Whether late submissions are allowed

• Whether results are shown immediately

Many student issues occur because important instructions were missed in this area. Always review this information carefully before beginning.

Accommodations and Exceptions

Blackboard Ultra allows instructors to provide accommodations and exceptions for individual students.

• These may include:

• Additional testing time

• Extended due dates

• Additional attempts

• Alternative availability dates

If accommodations have been applied to your account, Blackboard will automatically adjust the assessment settings. Always verify your available time and due date before beginning your assessment.

Timed vs. Untimed Assessments

Untimed assessments allow you to work at your own pace. Depending on instructor settings, you may be able to save your work, leave the assessment, and return later before the due date.

Timed assessments begin counting down once you select Start Attempt.

• Depending on instructor settings:

• The timer may continue even if you leave Blackboard.

• The timer may continue if you close your browser.

• The assessment may automatically submit when time expires.

• Late submissions may not be allowed.

Never start a timed assessment until you are prepared to complete it.

Question Types

Blackboard Ultra supports many different question types.

• Common question types include:

• Multiple Choice

• Multiple Answer

• True or False

• Matching

• Fill in the Blank

• Short Answer

• Essay

• File Upload

• Calculated Formula

• Hot Spot

• Ordering

Each question type may behave differently, so read the instructions carefully before answering.

Taking an Assessment

1. When you are ready, select Start Attempt.

2. Depending on instructor settings, Blackboard may display all questions on one page or present them one at a time.

3. Some instructors randomize questions or answer choices.

4. Some instructors allow backtracking while others do not.

5. Always read the assessment instructions before proceeding.

Saving Your Work

Blackboard Ultra automatically saves most responses as you work.

You may see notifications indicating that your work has been saved.

Even though Blackboard automatically saves responses, it is still recommended that you:

1. Use a reliable internet connection.

2. Avoid refreshing your browser unnecessarily.

3. Save lengthy essay responses in a Word document before pasting them into Blackboard if permitted by your instructor.

4. Verify that uploaded files are attached before submitting.

Remember that auto-save does not mean your assessment has been submitted.

Submitting an Assessment

Before submitting your assessment:

• Answer every required question.

• Review essay responses.

• Verify uploaded files.

• Check the remaining time.

• Review your answers if allowed.

When you are finished, select Submit. Once submitted, your attempt is complete.

Note: Saving your work is not the same as submitting your assessment.

Confirming Your Submission

After submitting, Blackboard should display confirmation that your assessment was successfully received.

The confirmation usually includes:

1. Submission date

2. Submission time

3. Attempt information

4. Submission receipt

Always verify that you receive confirmation before leaving the page.

Viewing Grades and Feedback

Depending on instructor settings, grades may be available immediately or after the instructor finishes grading.

To review your results:

1. Open the assessment.

2. Open your submitted attempt.

3. Review any available feedback.

You may see:

• Your score

• Correct answers

• Instructor comments

• Rubric results

• Question feedback

• Overall feedback

Not every instructor enables every feedback option.

Multiple Attempts

Some assessments allow multiple attempts.

If multiple attempts are available, Blackboard will display the number of attempts remaining.

Your instructor determines whether Blackboard uses:

• Highest score

• Average score

• Most recent score

Always review the assessment instructions if multiple attempts are allowed.

Common Student Mistakes

• Starting a timed assessment before being ready

• Using a phone instead of a computer

• Missing the due date

• Forgetting to submit

• Assuming auto-save means submitted

• Uploading the wrong file

• Waiting until the last minute

• Ignoring assessment instructions

• Not checking accommodations

• Not reviewing instructor feedback

Frequently Asked Questions

Page Summary

On this page, you learned how to locate, complete, submit, and review tests, quizzes, and exams in Blackboard Ultra. You also learned about assessment settings, time limits, accommodations, automatic saving, multiple attempts, grading, and instructor feedback. Understanding these features before test day can help reduce stress and prevent common submission mistakes.