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Required Formatting to Import into D2L with Respondus 4.0

Respondus allows you to import the following file formats:
• Plain text (.txt)
• Rich-text (.rtf)
• MS Word (.doc and .docx)
• Tab/comma delimited (.csv) format
• StudyMate Class format (.zip and .xml)

Respondus allows you to import the following question types:
Note: Questions MUST BE formatted properly in order for the import process to work correctly.
• Essay (Written Response)
• Fill in the blank
• Matching
• Multiple choice
• Multiple response (multi-select)
• Ordering
• Short answer
• True or false

Question Types – Specific Formatting Requirements

Before questions can be imported into Respondus they must be organized in a specific format. Each question type has required formatting elements that must be followed in order for the question to import properly.

Below are the specific formatting requirements for each question type that can be imported into a D2L course. An example of each question type is provided.

For All Question Types

• Each question must begin with a question number, followed by either a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. The question wording must follow the question number. At least one space should be between the question number and the question wording.
• Correct answers are identified by placing an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice (unless otherwise instructed).
• DO NOT put a space between the asterisk and the answer choice.
• If a correct answer is not marked, Respondus will automatically select the letter “A” as the correct answer.
• You will be warned if a question does not have an answer selected for it prior to completing the import.

ESSAY (WRITTEN RESPONSE)

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: E”. The next line begins with the question number, and the question wording. On a new line, add the essay answer, beginning with “a.” or “a)”, followed by the text.

FILL IN THE BLANK

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: FMB”. The next line begins with the question number, and the question wording. The words to be filled in are placed in [square brackets]. Fill in the blank questions can include up to 10 words to be filled in, each of which can have up to 20 correct answers. Respondus allows multiple correct answers per [blank] to be specified by separating each correct answer inside the brackets with commas.

MATCHING

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: MT”. The next line begins with the question number, followed by the questions wording. Each answer option should consist of both parts of a correct match, and must begin with a letter (a-t) followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. The two parts of the match must be separated with an equal symbol (=) and there should not be any hard returns or blank lines within either parts of the answer.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Each question must begin with a question number, followed by the question wording. Each answer option must begin with a letter (A-Z) followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. Identify the correct answer by placing an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice (DO NOT put a space between the asterisk and the answer choice).

MULTIPLE RESPONSE (MULTI-SELECT)

The first line of the formatting must begin with “Type: MR”. The next line begins with the question number, followed by the question wording. Each answer option must begin with a letter (A-Z) followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. Each correct answer is identified by placing an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice (DO NOT put a space between the asterisk and the answer choices).

ORDERING

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: ORD”. The next line begins with the question number, followed by the question wording. Each answer option must begin with a letter (a-t) followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. Answer options MUST BE in the correct order.

SHORT ANSWER

The first line of formatting must begin with “Type: S”. The next line begins with the question number, followed by the question wording. Only one correct answer can be added per short answer question; however, it is possible to enter multiple, acceptable, forms of that answer.

TRUE/FALSE

Each question must begin with a question number, followed by the question wording. The answer options must begin with the letter “a” and “b” followed by a period “.” or a parentheses “)”. It’s important to note that the “True” (or “T”) answer choice must be listed prior to the “False” (or “F”) answer choice. If “False” appears first in the list, the question will be imported as a “multiple choice” question. Identify the correct answer by placing an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice (DO NOT put a space between the asterisk and the answer choice).