How to Schedule a Timed Assessment with SimplTests

Why Schedule Assessments in SimplTests?

Sometimes you need a timed exam that students take during a specific window—a quiz during class, a take-home that closes at midnight, or a practice test with a strict deadline. SimplTests lets you schedule any saved test with open and close times, an optional join code for security, and an attempt limit. Students visit a link, enter their name, and take the exam. You get a dashboard to see who started and who submitted. No Canvas or Moodle required—though you can still export to those platforms if you prefer.

1. Save Your Test First

Scheduling works with saved tests. Create your test in Create Test, then save it to Saved Tests. You must be signed in to schedule assessments. Open your saved test and click Schedule Assessment.

2. Set Timezone and Open/Close Times

On the Schedule Assessment page, choose your timezone (e.g., America/New_York, Europe/London). Set when the exam opens and when it closes. Students can only start the exam during that window. Times are in your selected timezone—no guesswork for remote or international students.

3. Configure Join Code and Attempt Limit

Optionally require a join code—students must enter it to start. You can set one yourself or let SimplTests generate one. Set an attempt limit (e.g., 1 or 2) so students can't retake indefinitely. Give the session a name (defaults to the test title) so you can identify it in your exam list.

4. Create and Share the Link

Click Create. You'll get a shareable link (e.g., yoursite.com/exam/abc123) and the join code if you enabled it. Share the link with students via email, your LMS, or a class announcement. They visit the link, enter their name (and join code if required), and start the exam when the window is open.

5. Track Attempts in the Dashboard

Open the exam dashboard from your exam list or the shareable link (replace "take" with "dashboard" in the URL if needed). You'll see each student's attempt: name, when they started, when they submitted, and their score (for auto-graded questions). The dashboard updates automatically as students complete the exam.

Tips and Best Practices

• Use a join code for high-stakes exams to prevent unauthorized access.
• Set the close time a few minutes after class ends to give stragglers a buffer.
• Share the link and join code in advance so students can bookmark it.
• Check the dashboard during the exam window to see who has started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Done

You've scheduled a timed assessment. Students take it during the window, and you track attempts from the dashboard. Need to export instead? See our guides for Canvas, Moodle, and more.