Student Problems with Blackboard Testing

Inactivity

When taking a test, you are essentially just viewing one web page. This makes it appear as though you are inactive, and you may find yourself disconnected due to inactivity. One way to prevent disconnection is, prior to taking the test, to open a second browser window and use it to generate Internet activity every now and then.

Quitting by accident

If power is lost, the window is accidentally closed, or the browser crashes, students will need to contact the instructor.

Double-clicking to access or submit a test

If a student double-clicks on the link to a test, Blackboard reads the first click as an attempt to take the test and the second click as a second attempt, and will therefore block access. Students will need to contact the instructor.

Students should not double-click on either the Save or Submit button. This can lock students out of the test environment and access can only be cleared by the instructor.

Clicking the “Back” or “Forward” buttons

The web browser's "Back" or "Forward" buttons should never be used within Blackboard, and particularly when taking a test. If these buttons are used, a student will be locked out of the test and won't be able to re-take it until the instructor clears their attempt.

Clicking outside the test area

Clicking the course outside the test area (for example, on the "Announcements", "Course Information", etc) will cause the system to prematurely "Submit" the test before the student is finished.

Resizing the browser window may erase data

Be careful not to close or resize the window. Select a comfortable window size prior to clicking on the test link. In Netscape, resizing the test window will cause information entered up to that point to be erased. All answers will need to be re-entered.

Pop-up Blockers

Ensure you disable any pop-up blockers as these may affect tests in Blackboard. Pop-up blockers come as a part of many software products such as Windows XP, Service Pack 2, Norton Antivirus, Yahoo and Google Toolbars.

Firewalls

If a firewall is installed on a computer and/or network system, an error message may be generated informing you that your system was configured to deny access to this URL. The solution is to take the test somewhere that doesn't have a firewall.

For tests that present one question at a time, students should click the Next button rather than hit Enter on the keyboard.

Don't worry! The student can change the firefox browser setting. Here is the path: Tools > Options > Web Features > Advanced > Check on Change Status Bar text.