Taking Assessments¶
Opening an Assessment¶
On your course page, click the name of the assessment (homework, quiz, or test) to open it. Read any instructions your instructor included, then click Begin (or Start) to begin.
If the assessment is not yet open (it shows a date), it will become available on that date. If it shows as closed, the due date has passed.
Question Types¶
Number Entry¶
Type a numeric answer or algebraic expression into the answer box. A formatted preview appears below the box as you type. See Math Input Help for how to enter fractions, exponents, square roots, and special symbols.
To open the visual math palette, click the yellow arrow (▶) next to the input box.
Multiple Choice¶
Click the radio button next to your chosen answer.
Multiple Answer (Checkboxes)¶
Check all correct answers. There may be more than one.
Matching¶
Use the dropdowns to match each item on the left with an item on the right.
Essay / Free Response¶
Type your answer in the text box. Essays are graded by your instructor, not automatically. You will not see a score immediately after submitting.
File Upload¶
Click Choose File, select the file from your computer, and click Upload. Follow any format requirements your instructor specified.
Drawing¶
Use the on-screen drawing tools to sketch your answer on the canvas. Depending on the question, you may be asked to draw:
- a function graph (plot a curve across a coordinate grid)
- a point plot (place one or more points)
- a line (plot a line through two points or with a given slope)
- a piecewise function (combine multiple segments)
The exact drawing tools available depend on the subtype your instructor chose.
Submitting Answers¶
After entering your answer, click the submit button for that question (often labeled Submit or Check) to submit. The system evaluates automatically for numeric and multiple-choice questions and shows whether your answer is correct.
For assessments with multiple pages, click Next to move to the next question after submitting.
Attempts and Hints¶
Each time you submit an answer to a question, that counts as one attempt. Viewing a hint is separate — it does not use an attempt.
- The number of remaining attempts is shown near the answer box.
- After using all your attempts on a question, you cannot change that answer.
- If the question has hints, a Hint button appears near the question. Click it to reveal the next hint. Some questions have more than one hint — click again to see the next one.
The scoring policy (highest score, last score, or average) is set by your instructor and shown at the top of the assessment.
Reading Feedback¶
After submitting:
- Correct — shown in green; feedback or solution may appear
- Incorrect — shown in red; remaining attempts are shown if any
- Partially correct — shown for questions where partial credit applies
Feedback visibility depends on the assessment settings your instructor configured. Some assessments show full solutions immediately; others show only scores, or nothing, until after the due date.
Time Limits¶
If the assessment has a time limit, a countdown timer appears at the top. The assessment closes automatically when time runs out. Your submitted answers are recorded; unsubmitted answers are typically not counted.
If you lose internet during a timed assessment, log back in quickly — your submitted answers are saved, but unsubmitted ones may not be.
Navigating a Multi-Question Assessment¶
Some assessments show all questions on one page; others show one at a time. If questions are on separate pages, use the Previous and Next buttons to move between them.
Submitting the Full Assessment¶
When you have answered all questions, click Submit Assessment (the button at the bottom). You'll be asked to confirm before the submission is finalized.
Once submitted, your answers are locked. Your score is shown immediately if the assessment is auto-graded.
After the Assessment¶
- Go to Grades (in the course sidebar) to see your score
- Click the assessment name to view question-by-question results and feedback (if your instructor has made them visible)
- For essay questions, check back after the due date to see your instructor's grade and comments
Common Issues¶
My answer was marked wrong but I think it's right
Check the preview to make sure the system parsed your expression correctly. For example, 1/2x may be parsed as (1/2)x rather than 1/(2x). If the answer looked correct in the preview and you still think the grading is wrong, contact your instructor.
I can't submit my answer Make sure the answer box is not empty and that your expression has no unmatched parentheses. If the problem persists, try a different browser or contact support.
I ran out of time Contact your instructor before the due date if you need an extension. Support cannot grant extensions — only your instructor can.