Before reading this article please note that we have full test banks for Computing Technology for All, Python, Java, C++, Operating Systems, Discrete Math, Data Structures Essentials (Pseudocode), Digital Design, and Linear Algebra.
zyBooks now supports the ability for instructors to create multiple-choice tests for their class using a set of questions created by our authors, for certain zyBook subjects. The tests that you create can be exported as a set of MS Word documents. Note that zyBooks does not provide a testing platform and tests cannot be taken and graded online in the zyBooks platform. Students do not have a "Tests" tab. You are able to distribute tests to students using whatever written or online means you wish.
Creating a test
To get started, navigate to the "Tests" tab. Then click the orange "+ Test" button.
This will take you to our "Create a test" experience.
You will need to name your test which you can do on the right side of the screen.
Next, expand a chapter on the left to see which sections have test questions.
Expand a section to see which questions are available in that section.
Answers can be previewed in place. Answers will also be available in the documents you will export at the end.
Use the checkboxes on the left to select the questions you want to use in your test. You can select as many questions as you like from as many sections and chapters as you like.
Once you have selected all of your questions, you can switch to the "Organize test" view using the toggle at the top of the page. You can always go back to the "Select question" view to add or remove questions later.
Questions can be reordered by clicking and dragging the gripper handles on the left.
After you have selected all of the questions you'd like to add and organized them into an order you are happy with, click "Review and export" to review the test and export it.
This will take you to the "Review and export" experience where you can give your test one last look before exporting it.
From the " Review and export" page, select the format you want to export. (Note that QTI is not turned on for all zyBooks by default. To request the QTI options, email support@zybooks.com)
Selecting Word .docx will produce the following three documents,
1. The test, with no answers
2. The test with answers inline
3. A concise answer key with only answers
The other two options will produce a QTI zip file. The following guides provide instructions for uploading a QTI zip file into an LMS
Known limitations
Please note, we have discovered a few limitations/issues related to importing tests into Brightspace and Blackboard using the QTI format. We have informed the support teams at both Brightspace and Blackboard of the issues.
Brightspace
- Question choices are not able to support importing images. Images work ok in the questions themselves just not in the choices.
- Occasionally MathML will not render correctly.
Blackboard
- Code is not styled in traditional code font.
- Occasionally MathML will not render correctly.
These issues can be resolved manually after importing, by editing the tests.