For best Blackboard testing results, view and follow the steps contained in this Blackboard Testing Tips for Students tutorial. A video tutorial with instructions is available here or you can read the recommendations below. The video requires Adobe Flash Player 8.0 or higher available on their website.

WATCH THE TEST TAKING TIPS VIDEO

Before the test:

Turn off all pop-up blockers, instant messaging software, virus scanning software or other software programs that may cause your computer to run slowly. Rebooting your computer may help free system resources.

Students using wireless for test taking should check that the connection is good. Move the mouse over the Wireless Network Connection icon on the Taskbar to see how good the connection is. If no connection is established either reboot or click Start > Connect To > Wireless Connection. This will generally start the enabling process. If it does not click on Enable.

Dial-up and broadband users should check time-out settings when taking tests that last a long time. Use the following instructions (on Windows computers)

  1. Click on Start, go up to Settings and click on Control Panel
  2. Double-click on Internet
  3. Click on the Connection tab near the top of the Internet window
  4. Under Dial-up settings, choose the service you use to connect to the internet
  5. Click on the Settings button
  6. Click on the Advanced button near the bottom. You should see a check box on the window that appears which says: "Disconnect if idle for ____ minutes"

*Note: You can set this higher than its current value, but you should not uncheck this option. - If you are using a dial-up connection, disable call-waiting.

Students taking timed tests using IE8 may see the timer blocking the Submit button. BEFORE taking the test, click the Compatibility View button located in the navigation bar just to the right of the address bar. There is also a Compatibility View Setting under Tools, to make .murraystate.edu a compatible website.

During the Test:

Maximize your browser window before starting the test and do not minimize your browser window during the test. Do not Alt+Tab out of the test or use the Back button during testing. Also do not click outside of the testing window, as this can cause some browsers to lock up. Shut down all other programs when getting ready to take a test to leave open all resources on the system.

Blackboard Testing & myGate Time-out Issue  - Students taking tests or quizzes in Blackboard should close all open browsers except the one containing the Blackboard Test/Quiz. This includes the browser used to access the link from within myGate. Users have reported being locked out of their tests because of the myGate session time-out box popping up during the test. To avoid this, simply close the browser containing myGate after logging into Blackboard.

When launching the test be careful not to double-click the test link as it may lock you out of the test by launching a second attempt. Trying to print the test may also lock the test/browser.

Avoid using scroll buttons on a mouse or keyboard. Be sure to click the "Submit" button. Do not press "Enter" on the keyboard during the test in place of clicking "Submit".

Do not click on the Submit button until you are either done or have run out of time. Click Submit only once; it may take a few moments to receive confirmation of successful submission.

For best results do not use the Save button next to each question. Saving every question may result in an error saying some questions may not be answered. For best results save periodically using the SAVE button next to SUBMIT at the bottom of the test window.

If There Is A Problem:

If you receive an error message, contact your instructor immediately before disregarding it. Your instructor and/or Blackboard support will need the exact wording, step-by-step directions of what happened when the error occurred, as well as computer and date information. Complete and submit the Problem Report Form as soon as possible, the form is on the Help page.