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Online exam platforms offer a flexible and secure way for candidates to complete their assessments, whether they are in a physical setting or testing remotely.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how to create tests using an online exam system and the benefits, ensuring an effective and seamless experience for educators and candidates alike.

How to add questions to online exams

Most online assessment platforms provide a question library where you can create and upload exam questions. Using a mix of question types helps make your exams more engaging and versatile for testing knowledge.

When adding questions, you typically have two options:

  • Create on platform: Effortlessly design questions individually using the platform’s question builder, with a range of formatting options including bold text, bullet points, tables, images, and equations, ensuring a seamless and professional exam setup.
  • Bulk import: Upload multiple questions at once often using a CSV file, making it quick and efficient if you already have existing questions ready to import.
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How to customise an online exam

Once your questions are added onto an exam platform, you can begin tailoring the exam experience with features such as:

Question banks: Add extra security by automatically generating unique exams from question banks. Setting rules based on categories ensuring each candidate gets a tailored set of questions.

Time limits: Setting a time limit ensures all candidates are tested equally and reduces the risk of cheating by limiting the time available to search for answers.

Student tools: Providing tools such as calculators, notepads, bookmarks, and highlighters ensures students have the resources they need during the exam.

Instructions: Include instructions for candidates to review before the exam and access during the test, helping them stay focused.

Grades: Define grade boundaries by setting the percentage required to achieve each grade. The platform will automatically calculate these based on the scores for each question, ensuring accurate results.

Retakes: Automate the retake process by specifying the number of attempts allowed and setting delays between attempts if needed, removing the manual task for admins to generate them each time.

Results: Decide whether to release results immediately or defer for review, and customise the insights students receive, such as their score, time spent, cohort metrics etc.

Certificates: Automatically generate branded certificates for passing grades, with options to include QR codes for verification and set expiry dates.

Proctoring: Determine the level of proctoring to minimise cheating, whether through a lockdown browser or full webcam recording with AI detection for suspicious activity.

How to invites candidates to an online exam

After customising your exam experience, you can invite students using various methods. Your choice will depend on factors such as the number of candidates, the tools at your disposal, and the level of automation required. Here are some common options:

  1. Inviting candidates via email: Entering individual email addresses is ideal for inviting single or small groups of candidates at a time.
  2. Bulk importing users via CSV: For larger groups, importing candidates using a CSV file offers a fast and efficient solution for mass uploads.
  3. Pre-generating user accounts: Creating candidate accounts in advance streamlines access and simplifies the onboarding process for test takers.
  4. Shareable user group link: This method allows candidates to join a user group easily by clicking a single, shareable link, reducing administrative effort.
  5. Automating enrolment: By integrating with existing systems like a CRM or LMS, enrolment can be automated through APIs or Zapier, eliminating administrative tasks and ensuring smooth candidate registration.

How to schedule an online exam

Once you're satisfied with your exam setup, you can schedule it to go live for your candidates.

Depending on your needs, you can choose to have all candidates take the exam at the same time or provide a specific access window, allowing them to complete it at their convenience. This flexibility accommodates different time zones and schedules.

Additionally, you can set relative deadlines based on when a candidate enrols, giving them a set period to complete the exam. This ensures a fair and structured timeline for all participants.

You’re ready to launch your online exam!

Once you've designed your questions, customised the format, and scheduled your exam, you're all set to go! Your candidates will be notified through your chosen method, and you can sit back and relax while the exam platform handles the rest.

Discover how Synap can help to create your online exams

Want to see how it’s done? Explore this case study to learn how one client created and launched their online exams in just 4 days. Ready to try it yourself? Arrange a tailored demo and enjoy a 14-day free trial today!