How to Add a New Test

Instructors can create test for course sections and assign them on the student portal. Test can be copied from section to section or shared from instructor to instructor.

New tests can always be added to the Test Database in VIAS.

Go to the Academics Tab>Grading System>Tests>click on Add/Edit

2. Enter the Test Details.

1. Name: the title of the test
2. Select the School
3. Select the Course the test is for
4. Scoresheet Access: select one of the options from the drop-down menu
  1. No Access
  2. May view scores but not answers
  3. May view after completing the test
  4. May view after the test is closed
  5. May view on a specified date
  6. You have the option the check the following boxes:
    - Allow Students to view answer rationale
    - Allow Cross out
    - Hide Question Navigation
    - Hide Answer Letters
    - Randomize Question Order
    - Highlighter: a highlighter function will appear on the side of the screen if you allow
    - Calculator: a calculator will appear on the side of the screen if you allow
    - Disable Copy and Paste

e. You can also enter a Time Limit for the exam or leave it blank
f. Check the box “Enabled” if you want VIAS to automatically score the test.

3. Click Save.

How to Add a New Test

New tests can always be added to the Test Database in VIAS.

Go to the Academics Tab>Grading System>Tests>click on Add/Edit

2. Click Add Test.

Enter the Test Details.
Name: the title of the test
Select the School
Select the Course the test is for
Scoresheet Access: select one of the options from the drop-down menu
No Access
May view scores but not answers
May view after completing the test
May view after the test is closed
May view on a specified date
You have the option to check the following boxes as different accommodations for students to use within testing. This is helpful when providing assistance for students with disabilities.
Allow Students to view answer rationale - you may type why the answer choice is the best choice to help student’s process information.
Allow Cross out - allows students to cross out the answer choices during the test. This is a test taking strategy and can be used as an accommodation.
Hide Question Navigation - The students will not be able to jump from question to question. The students will also not be able to see how many questions are left within the test.
Hide Answer Letters - This removes the letter answer choices.
Randomize Question Order - This makes every student’s test questions in random order to help reduce the possibility of cheating.
Highlighter: a highlighter function will appear on the side of the screen if you allow students to have the accommodations. This is great for students who have dyslexia.
Calculator: a calculator will appear on the side of the screen if you allow
Disable Copy and Paste - students cannot find answers within a web browser and then copy and paste a response from the browser. This also helps reduce the possibility of plagiarism.
You can also enter a Time Limit for the exam or leave it blank
Check the box “Enabled” if you want VIAS to automatically score the test.
Click Save.

How to add Test Questions to a Test

Once you have entered all the test details you are ready to generate the test questions. VIAS has many different types of questions to use within the test. Instructors may use one or more types of questions within the test.

Go to Academics Tab > Grading System > Tests > Add/Edit > Test Details.
Click Add Question.

Types of Test Questions:

Question type	description	accommodations
Multiple Choice	Type question in question box. Assign point value of question.	Hint box is provided to help students. Answers can be randomized for each student. Text can be bolded or italicized within the question.
True False	Type true or false statements in the question box. Assign point value of question.	Hint box provided.
Short answer	Type a short answer question in the question box. State the text limit amount of characters or words allowed within the response. Assign the point value.	Hint box provided. Text can be bolded or italicized. Text can be enlarged.
Essay	Type a short answer question in the question box. Provide the text limit amount of characters or words allowed within the response. Assign the point value.	Hint box provided. Text can be bolded or italicized. Text can be enlarged.
Multiselect	Question has more than 1 answer. Type question in box. Choose a scoring type. Assign the point value.	Choice to randomize answers for each student. Use image is currently not working. Provide a hint. Text can be bolded or italicized. Text can be enlarged.
Matching	Students match key components together. Type the directions for the matching task in the question box. Choose the scoring type. Assign the point value.	Can add distractors to increase student thinking. Use image is currently not working. Provide a hint. Text can be bolded or italicized. Text can be enlarged.
Order Items	Students drag the answers into the correct order. Type the directions in the question box. Click drag in available options. Choose the scoring type. Assign the point value.	Students can drag answers in the correct order. Can add distractors to increase student thinking. Provide a hint. Text can be bolded or italicized. Text can be enlarged.
Instructions Only	Instructors use this option at the beginning of the test to state directions. Instructors can also use this option with more open-ended test options. Students could email responses.

How to add Answer Choices

After choosing and entering the test questions, instructors need to add the answer choices for the questions. Click Add Answers.
1. Type the answer choice in the box.
2. Continue adding answer choices to meet the requirements needed.
3. Click into the box of the correct answer.
4. If you are providing rationale for the correct answer, type it below the correct answer.
5. Click Save.

Assigning Scoring Types

Perfect Response - the answer the instructor provides is the correct answer. All other answer choices that students may make will be counted incorrectly.

Addition with Negation - (Only available in MultiSelect) The correct answers are scored with points and the distractors scored with 0 points. Partial credit can be given if the student makes one or more of the correct multi-select choices. The disadvantage is the student who selects all choices would also receive 100% credit for the question.
Advanced Scoring - (Only available in MultiSelect) Allows partial credit for students. Instructors can assign point values to each answer choice for partial credit.
Additive consecutive - Only available in Order Items) Student starts with 0 points and receives credit for each response put in consecutive order.