Instructor Guide: Exporting Student Test Results

By Tom Maliszewski, Platinum Educational Group

The Purpose of Assessments

Assessments are not just about measuring knowledge; they provide insight into how students learn and retain information. By examining how students approach an exam—not just their final scores—we can identify gaps in their test-taking skills. If a student does not know how to take an assessment, we cannot accurately measure their understanding. Teaching students how to take tests effectively allows us to evaluate their knowledge more accurately and helps them build the skills needed for success in future assessments. Platinum offers three videos at the top of the student home page that can provide students with essential tools on How to Read a Textbook, How to Study, and How to Take a Test. 

Overview

Student test results can be exported for any linear exam, generating an Excel file with a detailed breakdown of student responses. This export allows instructors to analyze student performance, track testing behaviors, and identify potential academic integrity concerns.

Benefits of Exporting Test Results

Exporting student test data allows instructors to:

• Identify students who may be rushing through exams, affecting their performance.

• Recognize students who spend excessive time on individual questions, which may indicate reading difficulties or test anxiety.

• Detect potential academic dishonesty between two or more students.

  
  

Steps to Export Student Test Results

1. Log in to EMSTesting or Platinum Tests with your Instructor role.

2. Select the appropriate class and click on the Gradebook icon.

3. Locate the desired test and click on its title.

4. Select the checkbox next to the student(s) whose results you need.

5. Click the Export Answers button.

6. Save the exported file to your computer for further analysis.

Contents of the Exported File

The exported Excel file includes the following columns:

• Student Name

• Question Number

• Question Reference ID (Unique identifier for the specific question)

• Student Answer

• Correct Answer

• Is Student Correct? (0 = incorrect, 1 = correct)

• Flagged (0 = unflagged, 1 = flagged)

• Confidence Level (0 = none, 1-5 = student confidence in their answer)

• Archived (Indicates if the question has been archived)

• Excluded (Indicates if the question was excluded from test results)

• Answered On (Timestamp of when the student submitted their answer)

Note: If a student’s exam export appears empty, they did not take the exam.

Interpreting Student Behavior from Test Data

• Rushing Through Tests: If students answer each question in under a minute and score poorly, they may not have read the questions thoroughly or considered their answer choices carefully. This would include attempting to get the answer choices to the best possible two choices.

  
  

• Spending Excessive Time on Questions: Students who take significantly longer than average on each question but still score poorly may struggle with reading comprehension or test-taking strategies.

  
  

• Guidance for Time Management:

  • True/False Questions: ~30 seconds per question

  • Multiple Choice Questions: ~60 seconds per question

  • Short Answer Questions: ~120 seconds per question

  • Essay Questions: 10-15 minutes per question