Top Hat Test tips for faculty: before, during, and after your test

A student works alone on a laptop.

Published April 13, 2020

By Orly Stein

Top Hat test provides instructors with tools to securely administer tests on students’ own devices. 

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Author

Orly Stein (UB Student, Class of 2022) is an Information Technology and Management major from Long Island, NY. In the future, she hopes to get more experience with cyber security and pursue a career in the field. In her free time, Orly enjoys playing soccer, going to SoulCycle with her friends and snowboarding.

Whether testing remotely or relying on student devices for secure testing in the classroom, Top Hat Test has features to help make that process simple and secure:

  • Create or import questions using the Top Hat Editor or import your question
  • Be notified and take action when students break pre-defined test rules
  • Set time limits, randomize question order and other specialized test settings  
See full, step-by-step guides for using Top Hat Test

Here are some tips to make sure your test runs smoothly.

Preparing before your first test

Video: Before your Top Hat Test

Administering your test

  • Take an attendance poll first. This will help you ensure that all students are properly enrolled in the course and connected to Top Hat.
  • Know how students access the test. Tell your students they can access the test by logging into your Top Hat course, then clicking the tab marked Assigned. From there, they can click the title of the test to begin.
  • Easily identify students who break the rules. You can set the limits for your test ahead of time, including how long each student has to take the test, and how many times they are allowed to navigate away from the Top Hat screen. When this happens, a student is locked out of the test. You can give them access again by clicking their name and then selecting Unlock.
Video: During your Top Hat Test

After the test

  • “Hand back” test results instantly. When you select Hand Back, student can immediately see their grades.
  • Finalize grades, and edit if needed. If you have to adjust a student’s score, you can manually edit the grades using the Top Hat Gradebook. 
  • Sync test scores to UB Learns. Using the Top Hat Gradebook, click Export Grades to synchronize grades between Top Hat and UB Learns.
Video: After your Top Hat Test

Get help for you or your students

For help with any step of the testing process using Top Hat Test, contact Top Hat customer support at support@tophat.com, or by calling 1-888-663-5491.