Item types¶

An item's type decides how test-takers answer it. They might choose from a list, type, drag, work on an image, upload a file or speak. The type also decides whether the system marks the answer or a marker does.

This page lists the types, grouped by what test-takers do, to help you choose one. Each type's own page has the steps to create it, and most have a practice test.

Try the simulation to see four types side by side in a test, as a test-taker does.

Reading test simulation

See four item types the way a test-taker does, with a guide beside each step. Isla Muir sits the Year 9 Reading test: multiple choice, multiple choices, an order interaction and extended text, all beside one article. Notes along the way show the settings behind each screen. Just want to look around? Skip straight to free practice.

Open simulation →

Choose an item type¶

You choose the type from the Type dropdown when you create an item with Add Test Item. The dropdown appears once you've chosen the Module. See Create an item.

The dropdown lists only the types your site offers, so you may see fewer than appear here. See Settings.

Choose or set an answer¶

Multiple Choice — test-takers select one answer from a list. Use it when exactly one answer is correct. See Multiple choice.
Multiple Choices — test-takers select every answer they think is correct. Use it when more than one answer can be right. See Multiple choices.
Text Spot Interaction — test-takers select words or phrases in a passage of text. See Text spot interaction.
Slider Interaction — test-takers drag a slider to a value on a scale. Use it for numbers, measurements and ratings. See Slider interaction.

Type an answer¶

Text Entry — test-takers type a short answer, such as a word or a number, which is checked against the answers you set. See Text entry.
Extended Text — test-takers write a longer answer in their own words, from a few sentences to an essay. A marker scores it. See Extended text.
Coding — test-takers write program code in a code editor. A marker scores it.

Match, sort and fill gaps¶

Match Interaction — test-takers match items in one list to items in another. See Match interaction.
Associate Interaction — test-takers form pairs from a single pool of text or images. See Associate interaction.
Gap Match Interaction — test-takers drag words or images into gaps in a passage of text. See Gap match interaction.
Order Interaction — test-takers drag text or images into the right order. See Order interaction.

Work on an image¶

Hotspot Interaction — test-takers select one or more marked areas on an image. See Hotspot interaction.
Select Point Interaction — test-takers select a point anywhere on an image, with no marked areas to choose from. See Select point interaction.
Graphic Gap Match Interaction — test-takers drag text or images onto marked areas of an image. See Graphic gap match interaction.
Graphic Order Interaction — test-takers drag numbers onto marked areas of an image to show an order. See Graphic order interaction.
Graphic Associate Interaction — test-takers draw lines between marked areas of an image to connect them. See Graphic associate interaction.
Position Object Interaction — test-takers drag smaller images into place on a larger one. See Position object interaction.
Drawing Interaction — test-takers draw, write or mark up an image with drawing tools. A marker scores it. See Drawing interaction.

Upload, record or watch¶

File Upload — test-takers upload one or more files they've made in other software, such as a document or a video. A marker scores it. See File upload.
Video Response Timed Interaction — test-takers watch a video and tap it at the right moments. Each tap is scored by whether it falls inside a time window you set.

A speaking item is a file upload item with the Speaking sub type. Test-takers record a spoken answer, and a marker scores it. See Speaking item.

Give information¶

Instruction — shows information or directions, with nothing for test-takers to answer. It isn't marked. See Instruction.

Items from another system¶

Learnosity — shows an item from Learnosity, a third-party item bank, inside your test. It works only where Janison has connected your site to Learnosity.

How each type is marked¶

Most types are marked automatically: the system compares each answer with the correct answer you set. The exceptions are:

Extended text, file upload, speaking, drawing interaction and coding items, which markers score.
Text entry items with Semi-automatic scoring. Answers that match are marked automatically, and a marker scores the rest. See Text entry.
Instruction items and survey items, which aren't marked.

To set how an item is scored, see Set scores.

Sub types¶

Some types have sub types that change how the item works for test-takers. When a type has them, a Sub Type dropdown appears below Type.

File Upload — Speaking records a spoken answer in place of an upload. See Speaking item.
Match Interaction — Drag and Drop, Checkbox and Draw Lines change how test-takers make their matches. Drag and Drop is the default. See Match interaction.

Sub types appear only for the types your site has switched them on for. See Settings.

Composite and survey items¶

Two kinds of item are made from the types above, and each has its own way in.

Composite items¶

A composite item combines several interactions under a shared stem, such as a multiple choice interaction and an extended text interaction about the same passage. You create one with Add Composite Item, not from the Type dropdown. Most types can be an interaction in a composite item. Inline Choice can only be used there: it places a dropdown of choices inside the text. See Composite items.

Survey items¶

Survey items gather opinions and information, and they aren't marked. You create one with Add Survey Item, and its Type dropdown offers a shorter list of types. See Survey items.

Change an item's type¶

You can change the Type of an item while you're editing it. A warning appears, because anything the new type doesn't use may be lost when you save. Select Cancel in the warning to go back to the saved type.

Once an item has open attempts, editing is limited and the Type can't be changed.

Settings¶

Administrators configure these settings at Settings > Test Designer Settings.

Available Question Types — controls which types authors can use, and where. Each row is a type, with these columns:

For Tests lists the type in the Type dropdown on New Test Item. Multiple Choice is always ticked.
For Surveys lists it on New Survey Item. Only the types that can be survey items have this box.
For Composite lets the type be an interaction in a composite item. The column appears once Composite is ticked under For Tests. Inline Choice has only this box.
Response Conditions adds an Add Response Condition link to items of the type.
Sub Types shows the Sub Type dropdown for the type. Nothing is ticked here at first.

Your site can only use the types Janison has released to it. A type Janison hasn't released doesn't appear in the table.

If the table lists Sequence, Cloze, Text Spot, True/False or Multiple Short Answers, leave them unticked. The test player can't show these types, and test-takers see a "not supported" message in their place.

Enable semi-automatic marking (under Question Options) — adds the Semi-automatic scoring type to text entry items.