Build a Test Manually

If you want to select each item to include in a test, you can create a test manually on the test builder page. When building a test manually, you can choose to add existing items from your item libraries, and you can also create new items by filling out templates directly in the test builder.

You can also follow the instructions in this section to add items to a test created in the test generator.

1.To start building a new test manually, select Create New Test on the Dashboard or Tests tab. The test builder appears with the first blank page already added.

2.To choose a language for the test, select an option from the Test Language dropdown above the test builder. Once you have selected a language, you can only add items that are available in that language. Once you’ve added any items to the test, you cannot change the selected test language unless all items are available in both languages.

3.Add or create each item you want to include in the test:

• To add an existing item from your available libraries, select Add from Library. Apply the appropriate filters and then select Add Items to Test in the toolbar for the item or items you want to add to the test. Your libraries may include items provided by Texas Assessment, items you created, and items shared with you.
• To create a new item, select Create from Template and select an available item template.

4.When you add an item to a test, the test builder displays the item’s template.

• You can edit the content for added items by following the same process that you would use to create items in the item builder.
• After editing an item, select Save Item in the item toolbar. Items and tests are saved separately.

5.To add more items to the test, select Add New Item in the Layout panel on the left. Select Add Items to Test in the toolbar when you have finished making your selections. A new thumbnail will appear in this panel for each item you add.

• When you add an item set to the test, an Add Item to Passage button appears below the item set thumbnail, allowing you to create new items that belong to that set.
• You can add multiple items at one time by marking the checkboxes beside the Add button.
• You can rearrange the items in your test by selecting Up or Down under the item's thumbnail.
• You can select Delete in an item thumbnail to remove that item from the test. This action will not delete the item from its library, only from the test you are creating.
  • To delete multiple items, you can select the checkbox at the top of each thumbnail and then select Delete Items at the bottom of the Layout panel.

6.At any point when you’re building a test, you can enter test details (such as its name, grade, and available tools) from the Test Properties panel accessed from the toolbar at the top of the screen.

7.You can delete a draft test at any time in the Test Editor if the test does not yet contain any items.

• Saved draft tests can be permanently deleted at any time from within the Tests tab.

  • Select the checkboxes of the tests you want to delete and then select Delete in the toolbar. This does not delete the items that have previously been added to the test.

8.Optional: To see how the test will appear to students, select Preview Test in the toolbar. You can only preview an item after it has been saved. You can enter sample responses to machine-scored items and select Item Score to make sure the items are being scored correctly.

9.Optional: To view a summary of test information, select the Summary tab in the left panel. This summary view shows you the test’s total count of items, item sets, unique standards, unique item types, and pages. It also shows you which standards are aligned to each test item.

10.Depending on how you want to administer the test, do either of the following:

• To publish the test for online administration, selectPublish Test in the toolbar. Once you publish a test, you will be able to administer it to students in the Test Administration Site.
• To build a test booklet for paper administration, navigate to the Tests tab and select Build Booklet from the dotted menu to the left of that test.