Online Tests and Exams

Quizzes:

The Quercus Quizzes tool can be used for automated online tests, including multiple choice and other common question types. Sharing of answers among students can be deterred through quiz configuration strategies including:

  • Randomization of questions from a large question bank
  • Configuration of time limits
  • Modularized test segments released in sequence

However, it is recommended that the Quizzes tool be used for lower-stakes or open-book assessment, or assigned less weight in the grading scheme, given completion is unsupervised and there is potential for academic integrity offences. For guidance on how to support academic integrity in online assessments, please see Academic Integrity and Teaching Online/Remotely.

Accessibility and Accommodation Options in Quercus Quizzes

Accessibility and Accommodation Options in Quercus Quizzes (PDF)

Assignments:

The Quercus Assignments tool can be used to create a drop-box for students to submit digital responses to one or more test or essay questions designed as “take-home” or “open-book” assessments. Assignments settings can be configured to accept a variety of file types.

Administer Take-home Exams Using the Assignments Tool on Quercus

 

Final exams:

In general, CTSI does not recommend the use of Quercus online tools alone for final or other high-stakes exams based on U of T policy, given the challenge in ensuring the appropriate conditions required by policy. Redesign of final assessments and/or adjustment of grading weighting is recommended. Notwithstanding the availability of new technologies, developing and preparing a computer-based exam, especially an online exam, requires a significant amount of advance preparation. In addition to preparing the actual assessment, instructors should consider the need for administrative logistics related to online proctoring or other computer-based assessment methods should those options be pursued to ensure the integrity of the assessment.

University of Toronto institutional policy anticipates that final exams will be conducted in a manner such that the identity of students writing exams can be verified in an appropriate manner. Further, is it important that students are only able to access approved supports or aids during the exam, as a means of ensuring no academic offences occur.

Note: Divisions or faculties who are developing procedures or strategies specific to their unique needs may reference the U of T Assessment and Grading Policy and the guidance around online proctoring offered in the Academic Integrity and Teaching Online/Remotely guide.

The University of Toronto does have recommended vendors with preferred rates forprogram areas that plan to contract a third-party platform to add additional support for academic integrity. These services may be appropriate in some program contexts.

  • Online proctoring is available through two recommended vendors, Examity and ProctorU. See Online Proctoring Guidelines for more information.
  • Computer-based testing with enhanced features has been adopted by some units within the University of Toronto through under contract with ExamSoft to provide an advanced solution for high-stakes assessments.

Grades in Quercus:

Exam and final course grades should not be posted in Quercus courses. Grades posted in Quercus allow students to view their progress, and do not represent their official final marks. Students can view their final grades on ACORN.