Overview
The Assessment module allows you to add a graded quiz at the end of a standard topic. Explorers must complete and pass the assessment before they can finish the topic.
Assessments are built using quiz activities that creators add throughout the topic. When the assessment runs, a set number of questions are randomly selected from those activities and presented to the explorer.
As a creator or administrator, you can configure several assessment settings to control how the assessment behaves, including:
the number of questions asked
the required pass mark (minimum score)
the number of allowed retakes
optional time limits
whether results are shown to explorers upon completion
whether results must be reviewed by an admin or assessor
These options allow you to design assessments that suit different learning goals — from lightweight knowledge checks to strict compliance testing.
Follow the steps in this article to enable and configure an Assessment module.
Step 1 - Enable the Assessment module
To include an assessment in a topic, first enable the Assessment module in the topic navigation.
Open the topic you want to configure in edit mode.
Navigate to Settings → Manage navigation.
Enable the Assessment module.
Once enabled, a new Assessment module appears in the topic. Explorers will reach this module after completing the topic’s knowledge content.
Step 2 - Configure assessment settings
After enabling the module, configure the assessment behaviour.
Navigate to the Assessment module in the topic navigation.
Click Edit.
Configure the following options:
Questions to be asked: The number of questions each explorer will be presented with during the assessment. Questions are randomly selected from the assessment question pool when the explorer starts the assessment. Your topic must contain at least this number of Quiz, Fill-in, or Match activities configured to appear in the assessment.
Minimum correct score to pass: The minimum number of questions an explorer must answer correctly to pass the assessment.
Number of assessment retakes allowed: The maximum number of attempts explorers can make if they fail the assessment before requesting an additional attempt from an admin or assessor.
Time limit: Optionally enable this setting to set a timer length (the number of minutes explorers have to complete the assessment).
Hide results after completion: Optionally enable this setting to prevent explorers from reviewing the answers to assessment questions after completing the assessment.
Hide assessment results until reviewed by an admin or assessor: Optionally enable this setting to require an administrator or assessor to review the explorer’s assessment results before they are released.
Click Save.
Step 3 - Ensure assessment questions have been added to the topic
Your topic must contain enough assessment questions to support the configuration.
Ensure the number of Quiz, Fill-in, or Match activities configured to appear in the assessment is at least equal to the number set for Questions to be asked.
How assessments affect creators
Once the Assessment module is enabled, creators will see a new option in Quiz, Fill-in, and Match elements that controls where the activity appears.
Creators can choose from the following options:
in this part (default): The activity appears in the topic content where it is created but is not included in the assessment.
the assessment: The activity does not appear in the topic content, but is included in the assessment question pool.
both: The activity appears in the topic content where it is created and is included in the assessment question pool.
Creators must create at least the required number of assessment questions for the assessment to function.
How assessments affect explorers
Explorers will see the Assessment module on the Navigation page near the end of the topic. The module is locked until all previous parts of the topic have been completed.
During the assessment:
Questions are randomly selected from the assessment question pool.
Explorers must answer all questions before seeing their result.
Explorers cannot complete the topic until they pass the assessment.
If explorers use all allowed retakes without passing, they can request another attempt from an admin or assessor. If the explorer fails again, an admin or assessor must approve another retake.
Best practices
Use a clear pass standard
Compliance training should usually require a 100% pass mark to ensure learners fully understand the material before completing the topic.Keep assessments focused
Assessments with 3–10 questions typically provide a strong indication of understanding without creating unnecessary effort for creators or explorers.Ensure the question pool is large enough
If questions are randomly selected from the assessment question pool, consider including more questions than the number asked in the assessment. This improves variation between attempts and reduces memorisation.Use practice questions within the topic
When appropriate, use the Both option for quiz activities so explorers can encounter key questions during the topic and again in the assessment. This reinforces learning before the final test.Protect question banks when needed
Enable Hide results after completion if assessment questions should not be easily shared or memorised. This is particularly useful when assessments form part of compliance or certification training.Use time limits carefully
Enable Time limit when you want to simulate a formal testing environment or discourage learners from searching for answers. Avoid strict time limits when the goal is deeper reflection or knowledge reinforcement.Use manual review for sensitive assessments
Enable Hide assessment results until reviewed by an admin or assessor if assessment results require human review before being released to learners.Provide clear assessment instructions
When creating assessment-only topics, clearly explain:the number of questions
the pass mark
the number of allowed retakes
whether a time limit applies
Clear expectations reduce confusion and improve completion rates.
FAQs
Can explorers retake an assessment?
Yes. If an explorer fails:
They can retake the assessment if they still have attempts remaining.
If no retakes remain, they can request another attempt.
This request sends an email to both:
the explorer
the portal administrator
The email includes a link to the explorer’s progress report.
How can admins authorise additional retakes?
Navigate to Admin → Topic → Enrolments.
Open the explorer’s topic progress report.
Locate the Assessment results section.
Click Allow retake.
How can assessors authorise additional retakes?
Open a topic from the Assess menu in the learner homepage.
Click on the Assess option.
Click on Assess Learners in the Assess panel.
Select a learner.
Click Allow assessment retake.
This resets the assessment and allows one additional attempt.
Note:
This does not reset the retake limit.
Admins and assessors must approve each additional retake manually.
Creators cannot approve retakes.
The explorer will automatically receive an email confirming the retake approval.
Can you create a topic that is only an assessment?
Yes.
Create a new topic.
Add a single part called Instructions (or similar).
Navigate to Settings → Manage navigation and disable the following modules:
Overview
Insights
Destination
Enable the Assessment module.
Configure the assessment settings.
Return to Part 1 and add a Text element with instructions for the assessment.
Add the required Quiz, Fill-in and Match activities, marking each for inclusion in the assessment.
Explorers will see the instructions first, followed by the assessment.
Why can’t I edit the Assessment settings in a topic from the library?
Topics imported directly from the Tribal Habits library cannot be edited, including their Assessment settings.
If you need to change settings such as the pass mark, retake limits, or time limit, you must copy the topic into your portal instead of importing it.
Once copied, the topic and its Assessment module can be edited as required.
Can short topics be used for assessments?
Yes, but in a lighter format without use of the formalised Assessment module. Short topics can include Quiz, Fill-in and Match elements which explorers may be required to answer correctly before progressing by using the 'Retry' setting.
Example: A short topic could contain 15 quizzes across five sections, allowing learners to complete them in smaller groups.
This is useful for knowledge checks, but it does not use the formal Assessment module.
Are manual assessments possible?
Yes. Enable Do not show assessment results until reviewed by an admin or assessor in the Assessment settings.
This allows an administrator or assessor to manually approve results after reviewing the explorer’s attempt.
Are there options for manual grading?
Yes. For complex assessments that require human evaluation, you can use (or combine the use of) Event, Task, Q&A, Upload and Requirement elements to create assessable activities.
These activities allow assessors to manually review submissions and assign results.
See the article on manual assessment activities for more information.