SAM in MindTap Instructor HelpSkip to start of content.

Schedule an Exam

Assign exams to your class.

  1. From MindTap, click + Add / Create > Activity > SAM-Assignment.
  2. On the taskbar, click Schedule New.
  3. For Assignment Type, click Exam.
  4. Optional: Select the Subject.
  5. Select whether to view exams in your current course or exams from other courses.
    • Exams in this course
    • Other Exams
  6. Select the exam to schedule.

    To preview an assignment, click preview beside the assignment name.

  7. Click Next Step.
  8. Set the options for your exam.
    Assignment Name
    Unique name for your assignment.
    Instructions
    Additional instructions for students.
    Scoring and Delivery Options
    Configure your assignment.
    Pass/Fail
    Students must answer your percentage of questions correctly to receive a pass grade. Students who score below this threshold receive fail grades.
    Specify time limit
    Students have your number minutes to complete the assignment. The time begins when the student first launches their assignment.
    Allow SAM exam to be retaken
    Students can retake the exam 1-50 times before submitting it for a final grade.
    Randomize tasks / questions
    Students receive exam questions or tasks in random order.
    Note Not available for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) or Critical Thinking Challenge Exams.
    Display results at end of exam
    Show students their score after they finish the exam.
    Practice
    The assignment does not affect student grades.
    Restrictive Mode
    Students can only navigate to tabs, menus, or dialog boxes that lead to the correct answer. Students can still scroll, expand or collapse pane drop downs within the ribbon.
    Note Not available for MOS or Critical Thinking Challenge Exams.
    Task Options

    Configure tasks in the exam.

    Scenarios
    To assign a specific version of the exam:
    1. Click Modify Scenarios.
    2. Select a scenario.
    3. Click OK.
    Note Not all tasks have multiple scenarios.
    Display feedback for each task / item
    Show students feedback after each task.
    Specify incorrect actions per task

    Students can attempt each task 1-10 times before it is marked incorrect.

    Students are shown the number of remaining attempts.

    Specify password for student access
    Prevent students from starting until they enter a password that you provide.
    Best Practice Leave this field blank and set a password in the Assign to Course window. Passwords set in that step are easier to retrieve and edit.
    Specify when students can view reports
    • Never make reports available to students
    • Make student reports always available beginning 12:00 AM

      Select the first date on which reports are available.

    • Make student reports available

      Select both start and end dates and times for reports to be available.

    Display Playback in Student Study Guide
    When enabled, students can view playback of their incorrect tasks in the Playback column in the Study Guide report after the due date or when all attempts are completed.

    Not available if Specify when students can view reports is turned off.

  9. Click Save.
  10. In the Editing Activity window, set the activity title, description, dates, and location in the learning path to assign the activity to your course.
    Title
    Label for the activity in the learning path.
    Description
    Information or instructions displayed when the activity is opened.
    Require Password
    Password protection for scoreable activities to prevent students from accessing them ahead of time.
    Available Date
    When students can start work on the activity.
    Due Date
    When students must end work on the activity.
    Associated Topic
    Textbook topic related to the activity.
    Order Within Topic
    Position in the learning path under the specified topic.
  11. Click Add.