Appendix D - Importing Items as Simple Text

For simple items that only require plain text and have no ancillary information, the simple item text importer can get items into FastTest very quickly. For image and rich text support, use the Word XML Importer.

Format

The item is begun with a number followed by either a dot (“.”) or a parenthesis (“)”). After the number, the stem is entered and can take up any number of lines. Answers are entered vertically after the stem (one per line) and are preceded by an answer marker. A valid answer marker is an upper or lower case letter followed by either a dot (“.”) or a parenthesis (“)”). An asterisk before an answer marker denotes that answer as correct; i.e., gives it an answer weight of 1.0.

If item weights are used for partial answers, an item weight is denoted by (‘[weight]’) followed immediately by an alpha with either a dot (“.”) or a parenthesis (“)”). You should not use the asterisk if item weights are used; i.e.,

[.5]a. Partially correct answer

Full Example

1. What is the capital of Minnesota?
  a. Duluth
  b. Minneapolis
 *c. Saint Paul
  d. New Ulm

2. What is the capital of Iowa (Partial Points)?
  [0]a. Ames
  [1]b. Des Moines
  [0]c. Iowa City
  [.5]d. Dubuque

3. What is the capital of South Dakota?
 *a. Pierre
  b. Sioux Falls
  c. Rapid City
  d. Bismarck

4. What is the capital of North Dakota?
  a. Pierre
  b. Grand Forks
  c. Fargo
 *d. Bismarck

5. What is the capital of Wisconsin?
  a. Green Bay
 *b. Madison
  c. Milwaukee
  d. Eau Claire