Blackboard Exam Formatter

Instructions for Formatting 📝

How to format each question:

There are two ways to start a question:
- Start the question with a number (e.g., 1. or 2)).
- Start the question with a question type tag on its own line (MC, MA, TF, ES, BL, MAT, FIB_PLUS, NUM).
If you use a number, write the question text on the same line. If you use a tag, write the question text on the next line.
You may leave a blank line to separate questions.

Multiple Choice / Multiple Answer (MC/MA)

Answers must begin with a letter in alphabetical order. Mark the correct answer(s) with an asterisk immediately before the option letter. If no tag is used, starred answers determine whether the question is MC or MA. Example:

1. Which city is the capital of Arkansas? *A. Little Rock B. Fayetteville C. Bentonville

MC Which city is the capital of Arkansas? *A. Little Rock B. Fayetteville C. Bentonville

Matching (MAT)

Matching questions must start with MAT or match on its own line. Use a forward slash to separate the term and the definition (e.g., A. Term / Definition). Use a new line for each pair. Example:

MAT Match the animal to its sound. A. Cat / Meow B. Dog / Woof C. Bird / Chirp

True/False (TF)

The line immediately after the question must contain only TRUE or FALSE. Example:

3. The sky is blue. TRUE

TF The sky is blue. TRUE

Essay (ES)

Essay questions must start with ES on its own line. The question text must be on the next line. Essay questions do not include answer lines. Example:

ES Explain how climate change affects coastal ecosystems.

Fill-in-the-Blank (FIB)

Start with BL (or blank) on its own line. The line(s) immediately following must contain only the correct answer text. Each line is considered one correct answer. Example:

BL The capital of France is? Paris

blank The capital of France is? Paris

Fill-in-the-Blank (Variables) (FIB_PLUS)

Start with FIB_PLUS on its own line. Put the question text on the next line. Use [name] placeholders in the text. Define each variable on its own line as name: answers (you may also use name = answers). Every placeholder in the question must have a matching variable defined. Example:

FIB_PLUS
Write a sentence using a [color] and an [animal].
color: red | blue
animal: cat | dog

Numeric (NUM)

Start with NUM on its own line. Put the question text on the next line. The first answer line is the number. Optional tolerance on the next line using ±, +/- or tol: value. Example:

NUM
What is pi rounded to two decimals?
3.14
tol: 0.01

Feedback

Example

1. Which city is the capital of Arkansas?
*A. Little Rock
B. Fayetteville
C. Bentonville
@@ Correct. Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas.
@@! Not correct. Review state capitals.

Directions

Put each feedback text on its own line directly under the answers
Use @@ to specify a correct answer.
Use @@! to specify a wrong answer.
At most one @@ and one @@! per question.
Works for MC, MA, TF, BL/FIB, and MAT. Essay questions do not export feedback.
Included in the Pool ZIP export; not included in the plain .txt download.

Examples

    1. Which gas makes up the majority of Earth's atmosphere?
    *A. Nitrogen
    B. Oxygen
    C. Carbon Dioxide
    @@ Correct: Nitrogen is the largest component.
    @@! Review atmospheric composition.
    
    2. Select all renewable energy sources.
    *A. Solar
    *B. Wind
    C. Natural Gas
    
    TF
    The Amazon rainforest produces most of Earth's oxygen.
    FALSE
    @@ Correct: This is a common misconception.
    @@! This statement is incorrect.
    
    BL
    The tallest mountain in Africa is?
    Mount Kilimanjaro
    
    ES
    Explain how technological advances have changed communication in the last 50 years.
    
    MAT 
    Match each file type with its typical software.
    A. .psd / Adobe Photoshop
    B. .xlsx / Microsoft Excel
    C. .mp3 / Audio Players
    
    3) What is the capital city of Japan?
    A. Edo
    *B. Tokyo
    C. Kyoto
    
    MA
    Which of these are considered mammals?
    *A. Bat
    B. Crocodile
    *C. Dolphin
    
    blank The chemical symbol for gold is?
    Au
    
    FIB_PLUS
    Write a phrase using a [feeling] and a [weather].
    feeling: happy | tired | excited
    weather: rain | sunshine | snow
    
    NUM
    How many days are in a leap year?
    366
    tol: 0
    
    match Match each continent with one of its major landmarks.
    A. Africa / Sahara Desert
    B. Asia / Great Wall of China
    C. Europe / Eiffel Tower
    
    TF
    Water boils at 90°C at sea level.
    FALSE
    
    4. Who wrote the play "Romeo and Juliet"?
    *A. William Shakespeare
    B. Mark Twain
    C. Jane Austen
    
    BL
    The fastest land animal in the world is?
    Cheetah
    
    FIB_PLUS
    Complete the sentence using a [profession] and a [tool].
    profession: doctor | engineer | artist
    tool: stethoscope | wrench | paintbrush
    
    ES
    Describe the importance of biodiversity in natural ecosystems.
    
    MA
    Which of the following are prime numbers?
    *A. 2
    *B. 11
    C. 15
    @@ 2 and 11 are primes.
    @@! 15 is not prime.
    
    match Match each planet with its characteristic.
    A. Jupiter / Largest planet
    B. Venus / Hottest surface
    C. Mars / Known as the Red Planet
    
    NUM
    What is the speed of light in vacuum (m/s)?
    299792458
    tol: 10

Export

Download Test (.txt)

Creates a Blackboard “Upload Questions” text file that you can add directly to a test in Ultra.

Open or create a test in Ultra.
Select the + button inside the test.
Choose Upload questions from file.
Select the exported .txt file.

*Always review the test afterward to confirm every question imported correctly.

Download Question Pool (.zip)

Creates a reusable Question Bank that you can import into your Ultra course.

Open Question Banks in your Ultra course.
Select Import or Import from file.
Upload the exported .zip file.

*Always check the imported bank to make sure every question appears as expected.

FIB_PLUS and NUM questions aren't currently supported yet in pool (.zip) imports; use Test (.txt) if your exam includes those types.