Exam preparation

Build, schedule, assign, and publish an exam

Turn approved question snapshots into a controlled assessment with clear timing, assignments, policies, and accommodations.

AuthorAssessment administrator

Who does thisAuthor prepares; assessment administrator publishes

Before you startApproved questions and eligible students are ready

Successful outcomeA previewed, scheduled, assigned, and published exam

Assessment lifecycle. Seven connected stages from preparation through sharing results.

What this means in plain language

Building an exam combines content with delivery rules. Publication is a controlled transition: students should not receive access until questions, timing, assignments, and policy have all been reviewed.

Step-by-step

Create the exam with a clear name, subject, term, marks, instructions, and intended result policy.
Add sections and pin the approved question snapshots. Confirm order, marks, and any randomization blueprint.
Set the opening and closing window, duration, attempt limit, navigation, access code, late access, resume, and permitted integrity controls.
Assign the intended classes, groups, or students and record accommodations before publication.
Preview the exam as a student. Check instructions, question rendering, totals, accessibility, and submission behavior.
Complete the readiness checklist, publish the exam, and send only the approved assignment notice.

ExamNova Exam Builder screen — **Live seeded-demo screen.** The exam workspace shows publication and assignment readiness.

ExamNova exam calendar — **Live seeded-demo screen.** Scheduled assessments are checked for timing and overlap.

ExamNova readiness dashboard — **Live seeded-demo screen.** Operational indicators help identify incomplete setup.

How to know it worked

Question and mark totals match the assessment plan.
The schedule uses the correct time zone and intended access window.
Only intended students are assigned, with accommodations recorded.
The published exam opens in preview and appears in the assigned student portal.

Common mistakes

Publishing before confirming student assignments and time zone.
Assuming randomization fixes an invalid blueprint.
Changing policy after attempts begin without an audited operational decision.

If something goes wrong

If publish is blocked, follow the readiness message rather than bypassing it.
If a student cannot see the exam, check assignment, eligibility, schedule, subscription, and permission state.
If totals differ, review section and question marks before allowing attempts.

Privacy and security: Exam access codes, assignments, question snapshots, and accommodations are sensitive. Share them only with the intended recipients.

What to do next

Explain the student workflow and run a controlled practice attempt before the live assessment.