Tests & Quizzes (Samigo)

​

Overview

Tests & Quizzes (Samigo) is a powerful assessment engine that enables instructors to create exams, quizzes, surveys, and practice tests. With support for 15+ question types, automatic grading, randomization, question pools, and comprehensive analytics, Samigo provides flexible assessment solutions for any learning context.

​

Key Features

​

Assessment Types

Create various types of assessments:

​

Question Types

Support for diverse question formats:

• Multiple Choice: Single or multiple correct answers
• True/False: Binary choice questions
• Short Answer: Text-based responses with keyword matching
• Essay: Extended written responses requiring manual grading
• Fill in the Blank: Complete sentences or statements
• Numeric Response: Answer with numbers, support for range tolerance
• Matching: Connect items from two lists
• File Upload: Students submit documents or files
• Audio Recording: Record and submit audio responses
• Calculated Questions: Variables generate unique versions
• Matrix Choices: Grid-based selection questions
• Hot Spot: Click correct areas on an image
• Extended Matching: Complex matching scenarios
• Survey (Likert): Rating scales for opinion questions

​

Creating Assessments

Build tests with a streamlined workflow:

​

Question Pools

Manage reusable question banks:

• Create pools: Organize questions by topic, difficulty, or type
• Import questions: Add questions from external files or other pools
• Export pools: Share question banks with colleagues
• Random selection: Draw questions randomly from pools
• Version control: Maintain multiple versions of questions
• Metadata: Tag questions with learning objectives, difficulty levels

​

Assessment Settings

Comprehensive configuration options:

​

Availability

• Available date: When assessment becomes accessible
• Due date: Deadline for submission
• Retract date: When assessment closes completely
• Late handling: Accept late submissions with/without penalty

​

Submissions

• Number of attempts: Unlimited or specific number
• Submission message: Custom confirmation text
• Submission email: Notify instructors of submissions

​

Timing

• Time limit: Set duration for completing assessment
• Auto-submit: Submit automatically when time expires
• Timer display: Show countdown to students

​

Organization

• Question layout: One per page, all on one page, or by section
• Navigation: Linear or allow jumping between questions
• Question numbering: Continuous or restart per section
• Display: Show/hide point values to students

​

Grading Options

Flexible grading and feedback:

• Automatic grading: Instant scoring for objective questions
• Manual grading: Review and score essay, file upload questions
• Partial credit: Award points for partially correct answers
• Negative marking: Deduct points for incorrect answers
• Grading rubrics: Apply scoring criteria to essay questions
• Feedback options: Immediate, on due date, or no feedback
• Answer key release: Show correct answers after submission

​

Randomization Features

Reduce cheating with randomization:

• Random question selection: Pull different questions from pools
• Random question order: Shuffle question sequence
• Random answer order: Randomize multiple choice options
• Calculated questions: Generate unique numeric values per student
• Random sections: Vary which sections appear to different students

​

Feedback Options

Control what students see after submission:

• Immediate feedback: Show results right after submit
• Feedback on date: Release feedback at specific time
• No feedback: Students never see answers (high-stakes exams)
• Question-level feedback: Custom feedback per question
• Answer-specific feedback: Different feedback for each answer choice
• Overall feedback: General comments on entire assessment
• Score thresholds: Custom feedback based on score ranges

​

Security Features

Maintain assessment integrity:

• Access password: Require password to begin assessment
• IP restriction: Limit access to specific IP addresses
• Proctoring integration: Compatible with proctoring services
• Honor pledge: Require academic integrity acknowledgment
• Secure delivery: Lock-down browser compatibility
• Submission confirmation: Email receipts to students
• Activity logging: Track student assessment activity

​

Analytics and Reporting

Comprehensive data on assessment performance:

• Item analysis: See which questions were difficult/easy
• Discrimination index: Identify how well questions separate high/low performers
• Score distribution: Histogram of student scores
• Question statistics: Average score per question
• Time on assessment: How long students took
• Attempt comparison: Compare multiple attempts
• Export results: Download data for external analysis

​

Assessment Parts/Sections

Organize complex assessments:

• Divide assessment into multiple sections
• Different settings per section (e.g., timing, randomization)
• Part-specific instructions
• Different question types per section
• Sequential or random part ordering
• Point allocation by section

​

Groups and Differentiation

Target assessments to specific students:

• Group release: Make available only to certain groups
• Section-specific versions: Different tests for different sections
• Differentiated timing: Extended time for accommodations
• Individual exceptions: Override settings for specific students

​

Import and Export

Move assessments between contexts:

• QTI format: Standard format for assessment exchange
• Import from file: Upload assessments from external sources
• Export assessments: Share with other instructors or institutions
• Copy within Sakai: Duplicate assessments across sites
• Question bank import: Bulk upload questions to pools

​

Best Practices

​

Assessment Design

• Align questions with learning objectives
• Use variety of question types to assess different skills
• Write clear, unambiguous question stems
• Avoid “trick” questions; assess understanding, not reading skill
• Provide point values proportional to question difficulty
• Include appropriate number of questions for time limit

​

Question Writing

• Make all answer choices plausible for multiple choice
• Avoid “all of the above” or “none of the above” when possible
• Keep language simple and accessible
• Avoid negative phrasing (“which is NOT…”) unless necessary
• Include diverse question difficulties for score distribution
• Proofread carefully for clarity and correctness

​

Settings Configuration

• Set appropriate time limits based on question count and difficulty
• Consider multiple attempts for low-stakes assessments
• Use question pools for randomization on important assessments
• Enable immediate feedback for practice tests
• Delay feedback until after due date for graded assessments
• Test all settings yourself before releasing to students

​

Security and Integrity

• Use randomization for online, unsupervised assessments
• Consider proctoring for high-stakes exams
• Set IP restrictions if students test in specific location
• Use different questions or versions for makeup exams
• Monitor submission times for unusual patterns
• Communicate academic integrity expectations clearly

​

Grading Workflow

• Grade one question at a time across all students for consistency
• Develop and use rubrics for essay questions
• Provide meaningful feedback, not just scores
• Review item analysis before finalizing grades
• Adjust grades for problematic questions if warranted
• Release grades and feedback in timely manner

​

Feedback Strategy

• Provide immediate feedback for self-check quizzes
• Delay feedback until all students submit for graded assessments
• Include answer explanations, not just correct/incorrect
• Use feedback to guide future studying
• Consider providing partial answer keys to encourage review

​

Common Use Cases

​

Weekly Quizzes

Reinforce learning with regular low-stakes assessments:

• 5-10 questions covering week’s material
• Multiple attempts allowed
• Immediate feedback with answer explanations
• Counts for small portion of grade

​

Midterm and Final Exams

Comprehensive high-stakes assessments:

• Randomized questions from pools
• Strict time limits
• One attempt only
• Delayed feedback until all students complete
• Proctoring or IP restrictions

​

Practice Tests

Help students prepare for exams:

• Unlimited attempts
• Questions similar to actual exam
• Immediate detailed feedback
• Not graded
• Questions from same pools as real exam

​

Surveys and Feedback

Collect student input:

• Anonymous response option
• Likert scale and open-ended questions
• Not graded
• Results summary for instructor
• Use data for course improvements

​

Adaptive Testing

Create branching assessment paths:

• Initial diagnostic assessment
• Different question sets based on performance
• Personalized feedback
• Remediation resources for struggling students

​

Technical Details

Tests & Quizzes (Samigo) is implemented using:

• Assessment Data: AssessmentGradingData for submission storage
• Question Types: Extensible question type framework
• Grading Engine: Automatic and manual grading components
• Question Pools: Reusable question bank management
• Randomization: Statistical algorithms for fair question distribution
• Integration: Direct synchronization with Gradebook
• Export Format: QTI 1.2 and 2.1 support for portability