Using Test Banks with WebCT

Some textbook publishers provide test banks on CD or for downloading from their Web sites. The test banks usually require proprietary software to use the test banks. Some of the proprietary software includes a format that is advertised as WebCT compatible.

If you want to use a test bank that has not already been packaged for WebCT, the first thing to do is to follow the publisher's instructions for creating, saving and uploading a WebCT formatted exam or quiz into your course shell. If that doesn't work as advertised, the next thing to try is to import the quiz or exam into Respondus. We have a site license. If you need information on how to obtain the software and install it, please visit the Instructor Resources page linked to the ENMU-Roswell Distance Education page.

Tasks Overview

  1. Launch Respondus.
  2. On the Start tab, click the Import Questions button and follow the instructions.
  3. If this isn't successful, read the Help on file formats for importing.
  4. Once the questions import successfully, save the quiz and give it a name.
  5. Click the Preview and Publish tab at the top of the Respondus window.
  6. Click the Publish to WebCT button on the menu (on the left side of the screen).
  7. Click the Publish Wizard button.
  8. Select the type of Publish. The default is to single course.
  9. The second step is selecting or adding a server. If you haven't configured a WebCT server on the computer where you're working, select Add a server, and read and follow the directions carefully. I recommend something simple like 'campus' or 'prison' to distinguish servers if you need to load both regular WebCT and correctional WebCT courses.
  10. If you're working on a PC to which only you have access, you can click the 'remember my user name' checkbox. The first time you log in, you need to enter your WebCT user name and password. If you're working on a multiuser computer, you will need to log in with your WebCT user name and password each time you publish a quiz.
  11. Select a course from the dropdown list next to step 1. If you would like to use the questions in this quiz on a midterm or final exam, create a new category. I use the name of the quiz as both the category (question set) and the quiz itself.
  12. Leave the defaults for step 3, and click Next to Publish to the WebCT server.