Manually marked question.  The question is answered by writing longer texts.

The Essay question type allows candidates to answer by writing longer texts, with the opportunity to use formatting such as tables, LaTex, special symbols and mathematical symbols. The question type also has these options:

• Limit the maximum number of words
• Word count
• Spell checker
• Expand the writing area in full screen

This article explains the layout of Essay questions, details their specific options such as text box sizing and toolbar layouts, and covers word limits.

Question layout

In the question's edit mode, you can do the following: 

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  1. Replace text with desired question text.
  2. Write the question text in LaTeX mode. Add formulas (LaTex), files, tables, links, image, PDF, audio and / or video clips to the question text.

  3. Set General options for the question type. Read more about General options for questions. 

     Select Advanced settings to make the question a Mandatory question.

  4. The Drawing tool allows candidates to express their answers visually with a simple, easy-to-use freehand drawing tool.

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  1. Replace text with desired question text.
  2. Write the question text in LaTeX mode. Add formulas (LaTex), files, tables, links, image, PDF, audio and / or video clips to the question text.
  3. Set General options for the question type. Read more about General options for questions. 

Specific options

By clicking on the interaction element, you can access specific options unique to the Essay question type:

1. Enter an explanation text for the question. This text will appear in the workspace above the essay writing area. "Fill in your answer here" is set by default. 

2. Set initial number of text lines: This defines how many lines the text box displays in the candidate's viewport initially.

   Expand automatically: If enabled, the text box will automatically expand as the candidate writes over multiple lines.

   Note: If the candidate writes more lines than what is set in the number of lines of body text, and expand automatically is not set, the candidate must scroll in the text field to read the entire text. 

   1. Example: 10 lines of body text, do not expand automatically. 

      

   2. Example: 10 lines of body text, expand automatically. 

      

3.  
   • Toolbar layout: This gives you the choice of setting the default or basic toolbar for candidates:
     • Default: Provides candidates with all available tools in the text editor toolbar, including options for rich text formatting, full-screen mode, and a temporary backup button.
     • Basic: Provides candidates with only essential tools for text formatting (like bold, italics) and bullet lists. All other options are removed, including full-screen mode and the temporary backup button. See what the default toolbar contains in Get familiar with the text editor in Essay questions - for candidates.
   • Use plain text: Enable this option to prevent candidates from using rich text editing. This means they will not be given options like heading formatting, bold, italics, or other formatting tools.

   • Limit maximum words: This ensures that candidates cannot write more words than the limit you define for the question. The word count will be visible to candidates in the lower right corner of the Essay question and will update constantly as they write. When the limit is reached, the word count color changes to red, and the candidate cannot write any more.

     

   • Show word count:  This allows candidates to see how many words they have written. The word count appears in the lower right corner of the screen.
4. An External Identifier is a unique string that helps link the question to external systems for data collection, without serving any internal purpose in Inspera Assessment.