CBT (Computer Based Testing): creating and running in-school tests

How CBT works in School Vault

School Vault's CBT module uses a three-step pipeline:

1. Question Bank — build a reusable library of questions organised by subject, topic, and difficulty
2. Create Test — assemble a test from Question Bank questions and configure timing and behaviour settings
3. Assignments — assign the finished test to a specific class

Go to CBT from the main navigation to access all three sections.

Step 1 — Build questions in the Question Bank

Before you can create a test, add questions to the Question Bank. Questions in the bank are reusable across multiple tests.

1. Go to CBT → Question Bank → Create Question.
2. Enter the Subject (required) and optionally a Topic (e.g. "Fractions", "The Water Cycle").
3. Select the Difficulty: Easy, Medium, or Hard.
4. Select the Question Type:
   • Multiple Choice (Single) — one correct answer from several options; auto-graded
   • Multiple Choice (Multi) — multiple correct answers; auto-graded
   • True/False — a binary question; auto-graded
   • Short Answer — a text response; requires manual marking by the teacher
   • Fill in the Blanks — students complete a sentence; auto-graded
   • Matching — students match items in two columns; auto-graded
5. Enter the Question Text.
6. Optionally upload Media (an image for the question, e.g. a diagram or photograph).
7. For multiple choice and matching types, fill in the Answer Choices. Mark the correct answer(s).
8. Click Save Question. The question appears in the View Questions tab and is now available for use in any test.

Step 2 — Create a test

1. Go to CBT → Create Test.
2. Enter the Test Title (e.g. "Primary 3 Mathematics CA1 Practice") and select the Subject.
3. Optionally add a Description.
4. Set the Time Limit in minutes (required). Students see a countdown timer during the test.
5. Set the Passing Score as a percentage (default 60%).
6. Configure Test Settings:
   • Randomize Questions — each student sees questions in a different order (on by default)
   • Show Results Immediately — students see their score and answers as soon as they submit (off by default)
   • Allow Retakes — students can take the test more than once (off by default)
7. Optionally set a Schedule — Start Date & Time and End Date & Time — to control the window during which students can access the test. Leave blank for an open-ended test.
8. Save the test. Then add questions from the Question Bank to build the test paper.

Step 3 — Assign the test to a class

1. Go to CBT → Assignments.
2. Select the test from the dropdown.
3. Enter the Class ID of the class you want to assign it to.
4. Click Assign. Students in that class who are within the schedule window (if set) can now access the test on their student portal.

The student experience

Students log into the student portal and navigate to their assigned tests. The test opens in a clean interface with:

• A countdown timer (if a time limit is set)
• Questions displayed with answer input appropriate to the question type
• A progress indicator
• A Submit button when all questions have been answered

When the student submits, or when the timer runs out, the test closes and the result is saved. Auto-graded questions (multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blanks, matching) are scored immediately. Short answer questions require teacher review.

Common mistakes

• Trying to add questions directly on the test creation screen — questions must be created first in the Question Bank, then selected when building the test.
• Setting a schedule end date before all students have had a chance to sit the test. Once the window closes, students cannot access it.
• Assuming CBT scores feed into official marks automatically — they do not. CBT and the Mark Entry grid are entirely separate.
• Using a single question type for every question. Mixing Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blanks, and Matching adds variety and tests different cognitive skills.