Sakai DocumentationSakai 19 User Guide (English)Tests and QuizzesHow do I create a short answer/essay question?

How do I create a short answer/essay question?

This allows for a short answer or essay question to be added to a new or existing assessment. This question type presents users with a question followed by a text box in which they enter the answer. This type of question must be manually graded.

Go to Tests & Quizzes.

Select the Test & Quizzes tool from the Tool Menu.

Select an assessment.

Questions may be added to any assessment. Select an existing assessment or create a new one.

Note: You may also add a question directly to a question pool.  

Create a New Assessment.

Click Add.

For more information on creating new assessments, see How do I create an assessment?

Or edit an existing assessment.

Select Short Answer/Essay from drop-down menu.

After selecting Short Answer/Essay from the drop-down menu, the program will open additional options for the question.

Set the point value for the question.

Enter the point value for this question.  Questions may be worth any point value you choose.  

Tip: Keep in mind that the point value of all the questions in the assessment will equal the point value of the assessment in the Gradebook.  So, if you want your assessment to be worth a total of 100 points, you should assign point values to your questions accordingly.

Display points?

Do you want students to see the point value as they are taking the test?  If so, leave the default setting of Yes.  If you prefer that students do not see the point value for the question, select No.

Add Question Text.

Type the Question Text into the text box provided.

Note: To edit with Rich-Text Editor, click the hyperlink to open the full menu.

Add attachment. (Optional)

Click Add Attachments to browse for and select a file attachment if desired.

Assign to part. (Optional)

If you have multiple parts in your assessment, you may assign the question to a different part.

Assign to pool. (Optional)

If you have an existing question pool and would like to copy this question to the pool, select the pool name here.

Provide model answer. (Optional)

Provide a model answer to the short answer/essay question in order to show students a generic version of the expected answer.  It may also assist graders with feedback.

Note: To edit with Rich-Text Editor, click the hyperlink to open the full menu.

Provide Feedback. (Optional)

Feedback is optional text available for students to view after the particular question is graded.

Note: To edit with Rich-Text Editor, click the hyperlink to open the full menu.

Click Save.

Click Save to save the question (or Cancel to exit).