Moving to a (new) digital exam platform:
how to reuse your questions?
When transitioning from paper-based exams to digital formats, or when moving from one digital exam platform to another, one of the biggest concerns for exam authors is how to get their existing questions into a digital exam platform. Fortunately, most modern platforms offer one or more ways to import pre-existing content, which saves time and reduces the need to recreate questions from scratch. In this article, we will explore three common methods for importing questions into a digital exam platform, allowing you to leverage your legacy question bank efficiently.
1. Importing questions using a QTI package
One of the most standardised ways to import questions into a digital exam platform is through a QTI package. QTI (Question and Test Interoperability) is a widely accepted format that allows the transfer of questions and tests between different learning systems.
How does it work?
QTI packages contain questions in a zip file that you can upload to your exam platform. Once uploaded, the platform reads the package and imports the questions into your item bank. This is particularly useful if you have been using one specific exam platform in the past and need to move your question bank to a new platform.
Advantages
- Standardised format: QTI is designed to work across different platforms, making it ideal for institutions that use multiple systems.
- Bulk import: You can import large sets of questions (up to 1000 items per import) at once, saving a lot of time.
- Various question types: QTI supports a wide range of question types and allows for the creation of custom interactions.
Things to keep in mind
- Platform compatibility: Not all digital exam platforms fully support the QTI standard or all QTI question types, so verify what your platform supports exactly before proceeding.</li
- Item-specific limitations: Some complex items, like those containing custom styles, MathML, or multi-interaction elements, may not be imported correctly. You will need to manually adjust these after the import.
- Platform-specific limitations: Every digital assessment platform can have its own specific features or tailor-made options. These may not always work cross-platform or be part of the QTI export and import.
2. Importing questions from a PDF document
Another option gaining traction is the ability to import questions directly from a PDF document. This feature, through the use of AI, allows users to import questions by simply uploading a PDF file.
How does it work?
You upload a PDF containing your exam questions, and the platform uses artificial intelligence to identify the questions and answers, automatically importing them into your question bank. During the import process, authors often still have the chance to select extra text or discard blocks of text that do not have to be imported. This feature typically supports widely used question types such as multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions.
Advantages
- Automate manual steps: AI handles the extraction of questions and answers, making it quick and easy to import existing exams
- Error detection: The AI can even add the correct answer in fill-in-the-blanks questions and select the correct answer in multiple-choice questions.
- No manual entry: Saves a lot of time as you do not have to manually retype or copy questions.
- Supports a wide range of formats: as you can convert files from many types to a PDF (e.g., Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, …) any existing content you have in one of these formats can be imported.
Things to keep in mind
- Manual review: While AI helps streamline the process, you will still need to review the imported questions to ensure the correct settings, such as scoring and answer choices.
- Extra cost: AI-based features often come with an extra cost. As AI evolves, it brings numerous innovative features that require development time and resources. Consequently, AI-based features, such as the PDF-import, may come at a higher price in some cases.
3. Importing multiple-choice questions from Excel
Some digital exam platforms also allow for Excel imports, specifically for multiple-choice questions. This method is particularly effective if you have a large set of structured data that can be easily formatted into a spreadsheet.
How does it work?
With this method, you format your questions in an Excel file with predefined columns for the question text, answer choices, and correct answers. Once the Excel file is uploaded, the platform parses the data and adds the questions to your digital item bank.
Advantages
- No learning curve: Most subject matter experts can work with Excel. This way, they do not have to learn how to work with a new platform and can generate new questions easily.
- Bulk import: You can import hundreds of questions at once, making it an efficient way to transfer large sets of multiple-choice questions.
- Customisable feedback: Some platforms also allow you to import custom feedback for correct and incorrect answers via Excel, giving you more control over the learning experience.
Things to keep in mind
- Limited question types: This method is typically limited to multiple-choice and similar question types. If you have more complex question formats, such as essays or drag-and-drop questions, you will need to use another method.
- Formatting requirements: The Excel file must be formatted exactly as required by the platform. If there are errors in the format, the import process may fail.
- No media support: Images, videos, or other media files usually cannot be imported via Excel and need to be added manually afterwards.
4. Extra: Custom migration
In some cases, for example when you use more exotic question types or need to import information from very specific item options, none of the above-mentioned options may be applicable. This situation asks for a custom migration of the question bank and some providers offer these services.
How does it work?
This method depends on the needs and requirements of the customer. Every case must be approached differently. Clients sometimes want to import all the images as well or they need specific sets of metadata. The provider will then sit together with the client and discuss what they need and what steps need to be taken. The R&D-team will then migrate the questions into the platform in one batch.
Advantages
- Tailored import: The provider can fully customise the import to your needs.
- No additional effort: The custom import is fully managed by the provider, ensuring that you are not required to contribute any effort. All tasks are handled on your behalf, allowing you to focus on other priorities.
Things to keep in mind
- Extra cost: This method is usually not available for free. The provider can offer this as a service and the R&D team needs to invest some hours into this, so it is no surprise that this comes with an additional cost.
- Longer duration: It can take longer before the import is done by using this method. The other methods are things you can try yourself and can be done very quickly. The custom migration can take up more time, as it needs to fit into the planning of the provider’s team.
assessmentQ
Moving your existing questions into a digital exam platform does not have to be a daunting task. With options like QTI packages, AI-powered PDF imports, Excel file imports, and custom migrations you can streamline the process and save valuable time. With assessmentQ, the intuitive digital exam platform, all of the mentioned methods are available. The platform offers you multiple ways to migrate your question bank into assessmentQ.
Conclusion
As you see, importing questions into a digital exam platform has never been easier, thanks to the variety of options available today. Whether you are transitioning from paper-based exams to digital exams or moving between e-assessment platforms, there are numerous methods to ensure a smooth process. With options like QTI, PDF import, Excel import or even a custom migration, the task is manageable, allowing you to start conducting digital exams in no time.
