Using the Assignment Tool on Brightspace, there are several settings that can affect the testing experience for students. This guide details the settings that we recommend for final exams and the reasoning behind those recommendations.
Start by adding an assignment. The recommended way to add an assignment is to:
- Go to Content in the Navigation bar of your Brightspace course (located underneath the UVic logo).
- Choose the module or topic where you would like to place the assignment.
- Click “Upload/Create” and then click “New Assignment” from the drop-down menu.
Alternatively, If you wish to quickly add the assignment now and place it in a module later, go to “Course Tools” in the Navigation bar and choose “Assignment” – and then click “New Assignment”.
Learn more in How do I create an assignment in Brightspace? Or, continue here for suggested exam settings.
Note: This guide is organized around the ‘new assignment experience’. If you are using the classic assignment experience, you can switch on the new experience (click the arrow that appears under the blue navigation bar on the right side of your screen) or contact LTSIsupport@uvic.ca for help!
Step 1: General Settings
Instructions
Include any Instructions for your exam/assignment. These instructions will be visible to students on the exam/assignment Start Date. You can attach a PDF (or other document/media file) using the Insert Stuff Button – this is a great way to provide exam/assignment questions.
Due Date
Include a Due Date. If a student submits their exam/assignment after this time, it is marked as late. Be sure to also specify a Start Date and/or End Date under the availability dates section.
Visibility
Visibility: Keep in mind that students will not be able to see your exam/assignment until you set visibility as show. Your exam/assignment will not automatically become visible on the Start Date. You can toggle your exam to visible after you set up the exam, so you do not need to change this setting during your initial set up. Your exam/assignment will have an open eye icon if it is visible and an eye with a slash icon if it is hidden.
Score Out Of
Specify how many points you will use to score the exam/assignment. Keep in mind that you can score an assignment out of a particular number of points (say 100 points) but have the assignment worth a different weighting in the gradebook (say 7% or 7 points).
Attach your exam/assignment to the gradebook picking / creating a grade item under In Grades: Choose from Grades.
Step 2: Availability Dates & Conditions
The availability dates & conditions section is where you can adjust settings related to accessing the assignment such as when your assignment is available and how long students have to complete it; and if there are any actions that need to be completed before a student can access an assignment and special access for particular students.
Availability
Has Start Date: This is the time when the exam/assignment becomes available to students.
Has End Date: This is the time when the exam/assignment ends. Students must submit before the end date. Once this time passes, students are no longer able to submit their work.
Special Access
Use this section to grant special access to specific students in the course to allow a longer time limit or different dates/times that they can access the exam/assignment. Instructors are responsible for setting special access for students who require testing accommodations.
- Do not set up ‘Groups’ of students who require special access because groups are student-facing, meaning students can see which peers are in various groups.
Step 3: Submission & Completion
The submission & completion section is where you can adjust settings related to how students will submit their work.
Submission Type
- Use the File submission option when students will submit their work as a file(s), we usually recommend this option.
- Use the Text submission if students are submitting a video (see Creating a video assignment using Brightspace and Echo360) or short online text submission.
Submissions

Step 4: Evaluation & Feedback
The evaluation & feedback section is where you can adjust settings related to marking.
Rubrics
You might consider adding a rubric as they can speed up grading and help with consistency, particularly if you have TAs helping with grading. You can create a new rubric or add an existing rubric. Learn more in our resource How do I add/edit a rubric?
Annotation Tools
We recommend checking the setting make annotation tools available for assessment. This setting allows you to markup student work during the grading process.
Other Resources
These additional resources will be helpful as you prepare to give an online exam in Brightspace:
- Exam Guide
- Online Exam Checklist
- Invigilating Online Exams at UVic
- Instructor Help Guides: Assessment & Grading in Brightspace (step-by-step instructions for specific activities in Brightspace)