A Multi-Format Assessment (MFA) is a new type of exam or assignment that you can create in Cadmus. Unlike classic Cadmus assessments, which primarily support long form text-based assessments, MFA allows you to include different types of questions within the same assessment. These question types include:
- Multiple choice
- Short answer
- Extended response
- Fill in the blanks
- True & False
All of the above question types, excluding extended response, are automatically marked, with the scores calculated by Cadmus. Details about auto-marking can be found here.
Currently, Multi-Format Assessments do not have templates like classic Cadmus assessments does.
How to set up a multi-format assessment
The process of creating a Cadmus assessment through your LMS remains the same. From there on, setting up a Multi-Format Assessment is very straightforward.
- Create a Cadmus link in the LMS.
- Click Create new instructions.
If your institution has signed up for MFA, you’ll come across the following pop-up once Cadmus is launched.
Select Multi-Format Builder and click Confirm.
The Multi-Format Builder
Once you have set up a new Multi-Format Assessment, you will be taken into the Multi-Format Builder environment.
To switch between Classic and Multi-Format Builder at any time, click the Switch Format Button on the top bar.
This will display the format selection pop-up again.
NOTE: Switching from one format to another will not save or carry over the questions and content within the builder to a different format.
The builder consists of three main working areas:
Settings tab
The Settings tab is where you can manage requirements and settings for your assignment and attach resources. These areas are the same as within classic Cadmus.
For more details on the Requirements and Resources sections:
- Setting requirements (Canvas).
- Setting requirements (Blackboard, Moodle, D2L)
- Add resources to your assessments
Questions tab
The Questions tab is where you can view and reorder all the questions in your assessment.
Question details
The icon on the left of the question indicates the question type, while the points assigned to each question are shown on the right.
Moving and reordering questions
Questions and section headers can be reordered via drag and drop. Questions can be moved in and out of sections. Sub-questions can be reordered and moved in and out of parent questions.
Workspace
Assessment overview
The Assessment Overview can be used to provide students with general instructions or information about the assessment. This can be enabled or disabled using the toggle selector on the right.
Question blocks
Every question you create will be displayed as an individual block within the main workspace.
While each question type will have specific settings, all question blocks will have:
- Question number
This indicates the position of the question in the assessment. - Question type
This can be selected using the dropdown provided.
- Points allocated
This can be set using the input box, on the top-right of the block
- The question itself
This can be set and edited by writing directly into the question block. Every question would need to be at least 20 characters long
- Additional Feedback option
More context for the correct answer can be provided against each question.This would be visible to the students only after marking is complete.
To add additional feedback
- Click the + button next to Additional feedback.
- Add context about the correct answers.
- Click Save to confirm changes.
- Delete question block option
- To delete a question click on the Bin icon.
- You’ll be prompted for confirmation. Click Yes, Delete to confirm.
- Deleting a question block is irreversible and your content will be lost.
Information on specific question types and their settings can be found here.
Action bar
The Action bar sits at the bottom of the workspace and enables you to edit your assessment in three ways.
- Add question
Click Add question to add a new question block. - Import question
Click Group import from bank to import individual or multiple questions from a QTI file or a question bank. - Create new section
Click Create new section to add a section header. Section headers can be used to separate your assessment into parts.