Steps to Preview a Test if It Is Hidden From Students

Due to the peculiarities of how Blackboard roles are defined, instructors are only able to preview a test while in Student Preview mode. The only small hitch in this process is when tests are not currently available to students, such as when they are only made available during a certain date range. The following steps will allow you to preview a test in Student Preview mode without opening the test up to all students.

2) Exit student preview mode and when prompted keep the preview user on the roster.

3) Navigate to where the test is deployed in the course and from the test's drop down menu select "Edit Test Options".

Note - The following steps will only apply if Test availability is set to "Yes" and the test is set to open at a date in the future. If the test availability is set to "No" it must be set to "Yes" during step 6 below.

4) Scroll down to "Test Availability Exceptions" and click "Add User / Group".

5) Add Preview User to exceptions.

Select the preview user from the list of users on the roster and click Submit.

6) Make test available to preview user.

In the "Test Availability Exceptions" area, set the number of attempts for the preview user (for example, Unlimited attempts) and then the date range the preview user can have access to the test, making sure that the start time has already passed. When complete, click Submit.

8) Preview the test in student preview.

Enter student preview mode and navigate to the test. It should be visible and the preview user should now be able to Begin it.

9) Remove the exception.

Once complete the availability exception should be reverted. Alternately, exit student preview mode and select the first option to delete preview user data.