If you find yourself asking how to customize your tests created on HelpTeaching.com, you’ve come to the right place.

Once you have created your test using Test Maker, there are numerous ways to customize your exam so it is consistent with your previous assessments. There are a host of options to personalize your test before it is printed, copied, and distributed. HelpTeaching.com has created alternatives to suit the most detail oriented test creator.

Below are the tabs that appear above your test and a brief explanation of how to customize your next assessment!

“Edit” tab: Often the order in which you found the questions is not the order in which you would like them to appear on your test. Clicking the “Edit” tab allows you move any of your questions up or down until the order is set to your liking! This is also the section where you can delete a question that no longer fits your assessment goals.

In the “Edit” section of your exam page, you can also create a copy of your test. Clicking “Copy” creates a second version of the same test, allowing you to edit one version, while leaving the other completely intact! Some teachers use this to create two forms of a test to avoid cheating. Others use it to change a few test questions from year to year. Another simple way to keep a test fresh is to use the “Shuffle” feature, which lets you randomly rearrange your test questions.

The “Edit” tab also allows you to insert a page break if a question is separated among two pages. Use the “PDF” tab described below to check the layout of your exam to see if this function is needed.

“Test Setup” tab: This is a catch all section for formatting your test’s style. Look at the options available to make your test customized:

• Number of lines between questions
• Arrange questions in one or two columns
• Show test title
• Show test taker’s name place holder
• Show test date place holder
• Show class place holder

This is also the section to place instructions for the students that will appear above the questions. This is an ideal place to advise students on how many points each question is worth, where and how to record their answers, or what type of writing instrument that should be used.

“Share” tab: Your colleagues can benefit when you put together a good test. Email someone in your school or department to share what you have created using HelpTeaching.com. Also, if you have a student absent for an extended period of time, this function will send the test to that student so they do not fall too far behind.

“Print Preview” tab: This section allows you to see exactly how your customized creation has turned out before sending it to the printer, which can be done from this tab.

“Answer Key” tab: Print the answers to this test for your records. Give them out to your students to check their own work or to complete a post-test activity.

“PDF” tab: PDF files can be used to print a consistent, cleaner version than a test from the “Print Preview” screen because it prints without URLs and/or  dates, that might be a part of computer settings. This is one of the many benefits of a Help Teaching Pro subscription.

Learn all of the options available on HelpTeaching.com for a fully customizable assessment for you, your colleagues, and your students!

Next post I will discuss the use of question groups on HelpTeaching.com.

Related Topics:
Using Math Images on HelpTeaching.com
Using Question Groups on HelpTeaching.com
How to Customize Your Tests Created on HelpTeaching.com
How to Find Questions on HelpTeaching.com
How to Write Good Test Questions

Putting together a challenging yet fair test for your students is a difficult task for even the most experienced teacher. So many variables go into choosing the format, creating the questions, and locating the appropriate maps, charts, passages, and documents that some very basic, but very important, factors often go forgotten. So if you’re grappling with how to design a good test, keep reading… we’ve put together useful tips and advice you can use right away.

1)    Give the students confidence right away.

The first question of your test should be relatively easy. The students with test anxiety and those who are unsure of their knowledge will feel their confidence buoyed from getting the first question correct.

2)    Mix it up…

Each test can and should have a mixture of question types. Earlier grades should have a mixture of multiple choice, true/false, and others. Upper grades should blend multiple choice questions, questions with documents, and short answer questions. You can utilize our Free Test Maker to come up with questions for all K-12 subjects.

3)    …But the format within those question types should remain consistent.

For example, all of the multiple choice questions on your test should have the same amount of choices.

4)    Be chrono-logical.

Students will often recall your lessons and classwork while taking the test. Putting your test questions in the order in which you taught the unit will allow them to cycle through the unit in their mind and hopefully jog their memory.

5)    Search to the ends of the earth for a good question.

Whatever your state assessments may be, there are past tests out there for you to peruse and use.  Find similar assessments from around the country and use their questions. Have a skill that you would like to reinforce on your test? Do an image search for the perfect picture, graph, or chart and create a question around the document. Websites such as HelpTeaching.com give you the ability to create tests from user created content from teachers just like you.

6)    Timing is everything.

It’s better to have your weakest student finish early than to have them not finish at all. Don’t try to pack too many questions into one class period. If there is just too much information to limit the amount of questions, spread out your test over two days, or change your assessment to an essay. Written assignments allow you to assess greater amount of content in one overriding question instead of 25 smaller questions. If you are afraid your higher level students will finish too early or will not be sufficiently challenged, prepare a secondary assignment those who finish early can complete in class and those who do not can finish at home.

Test or quiz creation can be a difficult task. A poorly created test can make an well prepared unit finish with a crushing thud, forcing you wait a whole year to rectify those mistakes. Follow the tips above for a smoother testing period. Good luck!

My next post will focus on customizing your tests using the features on HelpTeaching.com.

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Joe Pizzuto-Pomaco is an educator, writer, and editor who has taught in public and private schools 15 years.