page 1 of 19

1
How to take a Perception online exam

• this guide explains how to take an online exam
  using Questionmark Perception and the QMS
  Questionmark Secure browser
• click your mouse button to step through this
  guide
• use the yellow button to retrace your steps

þ
2
viewing this guide full-screen
Try this now Position the cursor anywhere over
this guide and click your right mouse
button. Then select Full Screen from the pop-up
menu Press the Esc key on your keyboard at any
time to return to Blackboard.
3
where is the exam room?

• make sure you know where and when the exam is
  scheduled
• it may be in a computer room that you have never
  visited
• if so, make sure you know how to find it even
  if that means a visit in advance of the exam!
• turn up for the exam on time
• if you are late, you may not be able to take the
  exam or may have less time to complete it
• bring your student ID card with you

4
when you get to the exam room

• find a vacant computer and log on
• make sure that the display and mouse are working
  correctly before you start the exam
• if not, let the invigilator know, log off and use
  another computer

5
are you sitting comfortably?

• adjust your seat for comfort if necessary
• switch off your mobile phone!
• place all bags out of reach beneath the desk
• place your student ID card on the desk
• the invigilators will check these during the exam

6
starting the exam

• Do not start the exam until you are told
• the invigilator may start you in groups, with a
  few seconds delay between each group
• If your exam is timed, Perception will
  automatically submit your exam when your time is
  up, if you havent already done so.
• If your exam is untimed, invigilators will tell
  you when to start and stop

7
starting the exam

• Log in to Blackboard
• Access your course
• Go to the assignments content area
• click the link in the course menu on the left
• Select the appropriate exam
• click the link
• there may be another link to a version of the
  exam for people who have learning differences
  such as dyslexia

8
QMS Questionmark Secure

• QMS Question Mark Secure is a special web browser
  that only allows you to view your exam.
• You will not be able to
• view any other web pages
• use any other programs
• When you have finished the exam, you can Close
  the browser

9
Log on to Perception
enter your ISS (email) user ID and password
click the Enter button to start the exam
10
Load the QMS browser plug-in
click the Open button to start downloading the
browser plug-in
11
Load the QMS browser plug-in
click the Open button to start downloading the
browser plug-in
12
one at a time or all in a row?
some tutors create tests where you must scroll
down to read and answer the questions.
13
one at a time or all in a row?
when you have answered all the questions, click
on the Submit button at the bottom of the
page. DO NOT click the button until you have
finished!
14
one at a time or all in a row?
most tutors create tests where you use these
navigation buttons to move from question to
question. This guide shows you how to use these.
15
reading the rubric
the exam title appears at the top of the screen
the exam rubric (instructions) is shown at the
start of the exam read carefully!
click the Next button to move on to the first
question
16
which question is this?
this tells you which question this is
and so does the arrow on this horizontal list of
questions
17
moving between questions
if the exam has many questions, you will have to
scroll the list sideways to see them all
you can jump to any question by clicking on its
number try this now
18
finding your way around
the blue blob indicates that you have already
answered question 1
you have jumped to question 7
19
beware of hidden answers!
keep an eye on the time remaining you will not
be able to add or change any answers when the
timer reaches zero
you may need to scroll to see the whole question
and all its answers
20
flagging questions
use the Flag button to add a visual mark to
questions in the list for example to remind
yourself to have a second look at them if you
have any spare time at the end of the exam try
this now
21
flagging questions
a Flag is added to the question you can Unflag
it later when you have answered it
22
answering every question
23
answering every question
click the Submit button to have your answers
recorded and scored try this now
24
viewing your score
you may be provided with feedback by some tests
in which case the green blobs show correct
answers and the red blobs show wrong answers
click on a question number to see more detailed
feedback try this now
25
feedback on individual questions
this shows your answer
you can use the Next and Previous buttons to
easily check all your answers
this shows your score
and this is the feedback
26
partially-correct answers
yellow blobs indicate partially-correct answers
that did not gain full marks
27
at the end of the exam
close the secure browser by clicking the red x
button
28
a few suggestions on exam technique

• you should attempt to answer every question
• no marks are deducted for wrong answers
• if you are unsure of the answer, either
• flag the question and move on to the next one, or
• flag the question and guess the answer now
• keep an eye on the time remaining
• when you have answered the final question
• return to flagged questions and answer them
• double-check all your answers if you have time