Creating Tests for the Web

Creating a test for the Web implies that students will take the test at a computer using a web browser. When you create a new test by clicking the Web Test button on the Startup pane, you need to choose the specific web platform(s) for the test as shown below:

If you always want to make the same kind of web test, you can hide this dialog by making a selection and then checking the "Don't show this again." option. The program remembers the last option you selected and uses that as the default for all new tests.

The top of the test window shows the test name and type of test selected:

TestGen customizes the menus and buttons to make it easy for you to choose questions that are compatible with the test type you choose. If you select more than one platform, TestGen applies the options for the platform that has the most stringent requirements. For example, if you choose both TestGen Plug-in and HTML Practice test, the points option and short answer questions are not allowed, even though the TestGen plug-in supports them, because the HTML test does not allow these options.

TestGen Plug-in Tests

The TestGen plug-in, available for Windows and Macintosh, lets students take TestGen tests using a web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. Plug-in tests are compatible with web-based course management systems supported by Pearson Education companies, such as Course Compass, MyMathLab, EconLab, and FinanceWorks. Students need to download and install the TestGen plug-in on their computers and have log-in privileges to use these systems. The instructions for using the plug-in are provided by the publisher for each course management web site.

Note: If you create a web test on a Windows PC and students will take the test using Macintosh computers, you might want to increase the size of the font, to 14 point for example, before saving and distributing the test, since the difference in screen resolution between Windows PCs and Macintoshes causes the type to look smaller on Macintoshes. You can use the Global Style Replacement feature to resize a whole test at once.

Blackboard Tests

When you create a test for use with Blackboard® 6.x - 9.x, use the "Export" option on the File menu to export files that can be used with these course management systems. Instructors can upload the test files exported from TestGen into their Blackboard courses. See "Exporting Tests for Blackboard" for more information.

WebCT Tests

When you create a test for use with WebCT® 3.x, 4.x, CE 6.x, or Vista® 4.x, use the "Export" option on the File menu to export files that can be used with these course management systems. Instructors can upload the test files exported from TestGen into their WebCT courses. The tests exported for WebCT CE 6.x and Vista 4.x are in QTI format, which can be used with other QTI-compliant testing systems. See "Exporting Tests for WebCT" for more information.

HTML Practice Tests

When you create an HTML practice test, you use the "Export" option on the File menu to create a folder of HTML files that students can view with a web browser. The web browser needs to support HTML 3.0 or higher (frames, tables, forms) and JavaScript. Netscape® Navigator and Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher are compatible browsers. See "Exporting HTML Practice Tests" for more information.

Comparison of Web Test Types

Here is how the types of web tests are alike and different: