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Add Skills Assessment Questions

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This lesson will guide you through the process of creating the three different types of Skills Assessment questions.

Where to Start

Assessments navigation tab.
  1. Go to Assessments.
  2. Select View Assessments.
  3. Select a Skills Assessment from the list.
An example Skills Assessment Details page, with the Manage Questions option labeled as step 4.
  1. Select Manage Questions.
The Manage Questions screen, with the Add Question button labeled as step 5.
  1. Select Add Question.
The Creating a New Skills Assessment screen with Step 2 Add Questions option highlighted.

OR, if you have just created a new Skills Assessment, select Step 2 - Add Questions.

Basic Question

The Basic Question type allows for text input only, and is best used for simple letter, sound, or word recognition questions.

An example Skills Assessment question editor with Basic Question labeled as step 1, Prompt labeled as step 2, Background labeled as step 3, Font Face labeled as step 4, Font Size labeled as step 5, Directions labeled as step 6, Question Groups labeled as step 7, Create Another labeled as step 8, and Create labeled as step 9.
  1. Select the Basic Question type.
  2. Enter a Prompt.
    • This is what the student will see. The preview screen populates with the prompt text as it is typed in.
  3. (Optional) Select a white or black background color. If unchanged, the default grey background will appear.
  4. Select a Font Face.
    • The preview screen text updates to the chosen font.
  5. Select a Font Size.
    • The preview screen text updates to show how the prompt will appear with the new font size.
  6. (Optional) Enter Directions on how to assess the question.
    • This will display at the bottom of the screen for students, and can also be read aloud by teachers.
  7. (Optional) Add one or more Question Groups.
  8. (Optional) Select the Create Another checkbox to immediately continue creating questions.
  9. Select Create.

Image Question

The Image Question type allows for single image upload, and is best used for relating images and icons to simple words or sounds.

An example Skills Assessment question editor with Image Question labeled as step 1, Title labeled as step 2, Upload an Image labeled as step 3, the preview and editor screen labeled as step 4, Directions labeled as step 5, Question Groups labeled as step 6, Create Another labeled as step 7, and the Create button labeled as step 8.
  1. Select the Image Question type.
  2. Enter a question Title.
  3. Select Upload an Image to add an image to the question.

The uploaded image will be automatically centered and auto-scaled to fit the viewable area on the preview screen. Only one image is allowed in Image Questions; uploading a second image will replace the first image. Recommended image file types are GIF, JPG, and PNG.

  1. A preview of the uploaded image will display.
    • Select and drag the image to relocate it within the viewable area.
    • Select and drag the corner or edge squares to resize or stretch the image.
    • Select and drag the green icon at the top to rotate the image.
  2. (Optional) Enter Directions on how to assess the question.
    • This will display at the bottom of the screen for students, and can also be read aloud by teachers.
  3. (Optional) Add one or more Question Groups.
  4. (Optional) Select the Create Another checkbox to immediately continue creating questions.
  5. Select Create.

Advanced Question

The Advanced Question type allows for full control and customization of the question, and can be used in any scenario where simple text or image questions won't suffice.

An example Skills Assessment question editor screen with Advanced Question labeled as step 1, Title labeled as step 2, Background labeled as step 3, the editor and preview screen labeled as step 4, Directions labeled as step 5, Question Groups labeled as step 6, Create Another labeled as step 7, and the Create button labeled as step 8.
  1. Select the Advanced Question type.
  2. Enter a question Title.
  3. (Optional) Select a white or black background color. If unchanged, the default grey background will appear.
  4. Use the preview and editor screen to create the question visual.
    Available tools and features include:
    • Free draw
    • Shapes
    • Lines
    • Borders
    • Text
    • Upload images

View the Customize Options section below to learn more about these tools.

  1. (Optional) Enter Directions on how to assess the question.
    • This will display at the bottom of the screen for students, and can also be read aloud by teachers.
  2. (Optional) Add one or more Question Groups.
  3. (Optional) Select the Create Another checkbox to immediately continue creating questions.
  4. Select Create.  
Customization Options
The Preview and Move Tool buttons.

Preview: Selecting the Preview button displays a preview of the question without the editing buttons, showing what the student will see during testing. Select the Preview button again to return to the edit screen.

Move Tool: Use the Move Tool to select different elements to be edited, moved, or resized.

The Drawing Tool icon, and Line Color and Line Width options.

Drawing Tool: Use the Drawing Tool to free-draw shapes, images, and text. Available customizations include changing the Line Color and the Line Width.

The buttons for the Circle, Square, Triangle, Decagon, Diamond, and Star Tools, and the accompanying Line Color, Fill Color, and Line Width options.

Shape Tools: Premade shape tools available for use include the Circle, Square, Triangle, Decagon, Diamond, and Star Tools. Select a shape tool, and select and drag the cursor to place a shape of the desired size. Once placed, select and drag the shape to relocate it within the viewable area. Select and drag the corner or edge squares to resize or stretch the shape. Select and drag the green icon at the top to rotate the shape. Available customizations include changing the Line Color, Fill Color, and Line Width.

The Line Tool button, and the accompanying Line Color, Line Width, and Line Arrow options.

Line Tool: Use the Line Tool to place straight lines. To place a single line, select the Line Tool, select the location to start the line, and hold and drag the cursor to the location to end the line. To place multiple connected lines, such as when creating a custom shape, select the Line Tool, select the location to start the first line, and continue selecting where each successive line should end, until the final line connects to the start of the first line. Once placed, select and drag the line or shape to relocate it within the viewable area. Select and drag the endpoint, corner, or edge squares to resize or stretch the line or shape. Select and drag the green icon at the top to rotate the line or shape. Available customizations include changing the Line Color and Line Width, and whether to include one, two, or no Line Arrows.

The Border Tool button, and the accompanying Line Color, Fill Color, and Line Width options.

Border Tool: Use the Border Tool to create a border within the viewable area, and/or to add a background color. Selecting the Border Tool automatically places a rectangular border near the edges of the viewable area. Once placed, select and drag the border to relocate it within the viewable area. Select and drag the corner or edge squares to resize or stretch the border. Select and drag the green icon at the top to rotate the border. Available customizations include changing the Line Color, Fill Color, and Line Width.

The Text Tool button, and the accompanying Font Color, Font Face, Font Size, and Font Alignment options.

Text Tool: Use the Text Tool to create a text box and add written text. Select the Text Tool, and select the desired location in the viewable area. Type the desired text, and select outside of the highlighted text area. The text becomes an editable object. Select and drag the text box to relocate it within the viewable area. Select and drag the corner or edge squares to resize the text box. Select and drag the green icon at the top to rotate the text. Available customizations include changing the Font Color, Font Face, Font Size, and Font Alignment.

The Image Tool button.

Image Tool: Use the Image Tool to upload images from your saved files. Once an image is chosen and placed, select and drag the image to relocate it within the viewable area. Select and drag the corner or edge squares to resize or stretch the image. Select and drag the green icon at the top to rotate the image. Multiple images may be uploaded.

The general editing tool buttons, including Undo, Redo, Delete Element, Copy Element, Paste Element, and Clear Canvas.

Editing Tools: Multiple editing tools are available along the bottom of the editor screen.

  • Undo: Undo the last change that was made.
  • Redo: Redo the last change that was undone.
  • Delete Element: Remove the selected element.
  • Copy Element: Copy the selected element.
  • Paste Element: Paste the last copied element.
  • Clear Canvas: Clear the viewable area canvas of all elements.
The placement tools, including Send to Back, Move Back, Move Forward, and Send to Front.

Placement Tools: Element placement tools are available along the bottom of the editor screen, and allow elements to be moved between the foreground and background, in front of and behind other elements. The Send to Back and Send to Front options place the selected elements as the bottom layer or the top layer, respectively. The Move Back and Move Forward options move the selected elements back and forward one layer at a time.

Next Steps

Now that you know how to create questions, check out how to Administer a Skills Assessment.

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