You import an existing test through Create new → Use existing test. Examplary reads a QTI package or Moodle XML file directly, and uses AI to pull the questions out of a Word file or PDF. You get a test you can edit, share and grade right away. Exporting a test as a QTI package works too.
So there's no need to retype anything. If you don't have a test yet, Examplary's AI test generator can write one from your own teaching materials.
Importing works on every plan. On the Basic plan, you can create up to five tests. Once you reach that, Use existing test is locked.
Importing a test
- Click Create new and choose Use existing test.
- Drag your file into the box, or click Upload document. You can also paste text with Paste text.
- Click Import test.
All the files you add in one go end up in one test. For separate tests, import the files one at a time.
There's a quicker way too: drag a file straight onto your list of tests. If you drop it inside an open folder, the test goes into that folder.
Which files you can import
| File | How Examplary reads it |
|---|---|
| QTI package (.zip, QTI 2.x or 3.0) | Directly, without AI |
| Single QTI item (.xml) | Directly, one question per file |
| Moodle XML | Directly, without AI |
| PDF, Word (.docx), text, HTML or image | With AI, in the background |
Files can be up to 50 MB. Older Word files (.doc), PowerPoint, Excel and QTI 1.2 don't work. Save a .doc file as .docx or PDF first.
What the AI does with a PDF or Word file
The AI copies the questions word for word, in the same order and language, and picks the question type that fits each one best. Sub-questions like 1a and 1b become separate questions, with their shared text above them. You'll see the questions appear while Examplary works.
If the file has an answer key, a rubric or points, they come along. If it doesn't, the AI writes scoring criteria itself. Images in a Word file come along too. From a PDF, Examplary takes images and tables as clippings of the page. If your file has no introduction or closing text, the AI writes one.
Look closely at the points and at any scoring criteria the AI wrote itself. Creating a rubric or scoring criteria explains how to change them.
What comes along from QTI and Moodle
From a QTI package, questions keep their own question type, such as Multiple choice, Checkboxes, Short answer, Essay, Sequence, Matching and Fill in the blanks. Correct answers, points (rounded to whole points), images and formulas come along. Test settings such as the duration don't, and sections become one list of questions.
From Moodle XML, multiple choice and true/false questions become Multiple choice or Checkboxes, essay questions become Essay, and descriptions become a Paragraph. Other Moodle questions become Short answer, with the first correct answer as the criterion. Examplary skips hidden questions.
Examplary converts the points of Moodle questions to a scale of 1 to 10. A question worth 0.5 points becomes 5 points, and a question worth 1 point or more becomes 10. Adjust the points where you need to.
Adding questions to a test you already have
To add questions from a file to an existing test, go to Add question at the bottom of the test and choose Import questions from file. The questions are added at the end. The test's title and settings don't change.
Exporting a test as QTI
In the test, click Share → Export and choose QTI 3 package or QTI 2.1 package. You'll find the same options in a test's menu in your list.
The package holds the questions, images, formulas and the correct answers to closed questions, plus data only Examplary uses, such as rubrics and model answers. Choose QTI 2.1 if the other platform can't read QTI 3.
Not every platform reads everything. Rubrics usually don't carry over, and question types without a QTI equivalent, such as Formula or Voice recorder, only work in platforms that support custom question types like these. Results and source materials aren't included in the package. To send a test straight to Woots or Ans, see Sending questions to Woots and Ans.
Troubleshooting
I get a message that the file can't be imported or processed. The format isn't supported. Save the file as .docx or PDF and try again.
It says "Could not generate questions". The AI couldn't get any questions out of the file. Try again, or split a long file into parts.
Some questions are missing. With a very long test, the AI can stop before it gets to the end. Count the questions and import the last part with Import questions from file.
It says "File is too large". Files can be up to 50 MB.