NOTE: Use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge. Internet Explorer can no longer be used with Brightspace.

NOTE: If you’re having problems in a Brightspace course, you should always contact your instructor first. This is important not only so that your instructor can contact support on your behalf and resolve the problem much more quickly, but also so that your instructor knows you’re having problems before a due date has passed.

Please review the following guidelines for taking online exams or tests using the Brightspace Quizzes tool.

Before Taking An Online Exam

  1. Choose the most reliable internet connection and device available:
    • Your best option is to use an on-campus connection or a cable/DSL
      connection. Dial up is not recommended
    • If you have a choice, choose a “hard-wired” internet connection over wireless
    • Mobile devices (e.g. smartphones and tablets) are supported for quizzes and
      assignments Brightspace, but if you have a choice, use a laptop or desktop computer.
  2. Close programs that you are not using, especially any file-sharing programs or ongoing downloads that may be running in the background.
  3. Before logging into Brightspace, clear your browser’s cache and cookies. Then exit your browser
    completely before attempting to access the site again.

Note: If you are unsure how to do this, search your browser’s Help menu for “clear cache.”

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While Taking An Online Exam

  1. In a timed quiz, the clock keeps ticking after you click Start Quiz and Confirm. The clock will keep ticking until you click Submit, even if you log out of Brightspace or shut down your computer. As long as the clock is ticking, you should be able to re-enter the quiz and continue.
  2. Check your answers prior to submitting the quiz. If you changed an answer, make sure the question has auto-saved prior to submitting the quiz. Click here to see how auto-save works in Brightspace quizzes.
  3. Do not shut down the browser or log out of Brightspace right after hitting Submit Quiz. This allows the system to properly save your responses and grade your quiz automatically, if that option is enabled.
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Browser Issues You May Encounter

  • If your computer is not responding immediately and appears to be frozen, do not repeatedly hit
    a key (e.g. the ESC key), as this may cause the system to freeze. Be patient.
  • If your browser does freeze or if you lose internet connectivity during the quiz, you should:
    1. Shut down the browser. Do NOT submit quiz, and do NOT log out.
    2. Reopen the browser.
    3. Go back into Brightspace.
    4. Navigate to the course and enter the quiz again.
      Note: If this does not work and you cannot enter the quiz again, try a different browser
    5. Continue taking the quiz.

Note: In a timed quiz, the clock keeps ticking from the moment you first entered the quiz.

If, after trying the steps above, you continue to experience difficulties accessing or completing your quiz, please contact your instructor.

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If You Were Unable to Submit Your Quiz

If you left the Brightspace quiz before managing to click Submit, your work should be automatically saved, but after a certain point you will not be able to re-enter the quiz to submit it. If this happens, contact your instructor and they will be able to submit the quiz for you.

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Issues with Assistive Technologies

There is a known issue with MathJax and Brightspace Quizzes. Click here for more information.

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