Exam Import from Answer Key File
The Exam Import form Answer Key tool is used to create an Exam from a spreadsheet consisting of a Section_Title, Answer and CompetencyID columns. The import process will create an Exam with a specified Title, add a distinct set of Sections to the Exam with specified Section Titles, and for each row, create a new Item with the specified Answer that is linked to the specified Competency ID. In essence, it is a quick method of constructing and Exam with a new set of Items.
The reasons for creating an Exam using Exam Import from Answer Key File are:
- More rapid development of Exams, as the spreadsheet import method is faster than creating and linking each Item to the Exam using the Exam Layout.
- Limiting exposure of your Exam Banks to external users. By using Exam Import from Ffile, external users to CE such as subject matter experts (SME) or contract authors do not have to be trained to use CE or be exposed to the system at all.
- Is ideal if not concerned with Item text or option text.
Exam Import from File is reached from the Main Menu, Item Writing → Exam Tools → New Exam from Answer Key File
Import Files
Exam Import from Answer Key supports importing Exams from Microsoft® Excel (.xlsx). The user can download the import templates using the template hyperlink. Note: Microsoft® Excel must be installed to open or maintain these files.
Uploading an Import File
To upload an Exam Import file, click the Select button.
This will open a file dialog. Select the file and click Open button.
The import file will be uploaded but not Imported yet. To import the Items to the database click the Import button.
If no New Exam Title is specified, a warning message will appear. If no import file is selected, a warning message will appear. Otherwise the import file will be processed.
When complete, a message area will appear indicating how many records were processed and any validation issues that occurred. If successful a green message are will indicate success. If there were validation issues a yellow message are will appear.
Exam Import Notes
The Exam Import file consists of three columns.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| SECTION_TITLE | This is the Title that you want to give to the Section you are adding to the Exam. Each Item linked to an Exam must be linked to a Section that has been added to the Exam. For each distinct SECTION_TITLE value, a distinct Section is created. So if there are 3 distinct SECTION_TITLE values, there will be 3 Sections added to the Exam. |
| ANSWER | This is an optional field. It represents the Answer for the new Item that will; be created and linked to the Section of the Exam. Valid values are A, B, C, D, E or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. |
| COMPETENCYID | This is an option field. If set, must be a valid Competency for Items in the Selected Exam/Item Bank. See Bank and Bank Level. See Competency Entry for more on Competencies. |
Exam Import Sample
| Section_Title | Answer | CompetencyID |
|---|---|---|
| First Section | A | 25 |
| First Section | C | 32 |
| First Section | D | |
| Second Section | A | |
| Second Section | C | 25 |
This will create an Exam with two Sections (First Section and Second Section) as there are two distinct Section Title values. First Section has 3 new Items created for it with Answers of A, C, D. The first Item is linked to Competency 25 and the second Item is linked to Competency 32 with the third Item having no Competency set up. The Second Section has two Items with Answers of A, C. The first Item has no Competency setup and the second Item is linked to competency 25.
