Multiple forms let one assessment ship as several validated variants of the same paper. Cirrus randomly assigns one of the available forms to each candidate. Use this article to decide whether you need multiple forms and to set them up.
What a form is
A form is a set of questions delivered together, with its own grade-score transformation (assessment scale) attached. The form determines what the candidate actually sees.
When to use multiple forms
Two main cases:
- Randomness with prior validation: you want each candidate to receive a different paper, but you want every paper to be psychometrically validated in advance. Multiple validated fixed forms let you randomise without losing validation rigour.
- Resits: you want a different paper for the second attempt without authoring a separate assessment. Cirrus assigns a form the candidate has not already seen.
Multiple forms only works with Fixed forms. Linear On the Fly Testing (LOFT, Random forms) generates per-candidate questions on the fly, so it does not need multiple forms; you can only create one LOFT form per assessment. See Step 4: Forms.
Create multiple forms
- Open the assessment and select the Forms tab.
- Select + Add form.
- Enter a title and choose how many questions to draw from the pool.
- Select Create form.
- Repeat for each additional form.
Each form can use the same or a different scale (set on the Scale tab).
Scheduling with multiple forms
Schedule the assessment as usual. When the assessment has more than one form and the assessment option Random test form is enabled in Step 2, Cirrus picks one form at random for each candidate at start time. With three forms, each candidate gets one of the three.
For resits, Cirrus picks a form the candidate has not already received, as long as one is available.
Identify the form per candidate
A Form column is available on the marking screens and in reports. Use it to see exactly which form each candidate answered.
Multiple forms versus LOFT
| Multiple fixed forms | LOFT (random) | |
|---|---|---|
| Each candidate gets the same questions? | No, randomised across the available forms | No, fresh selection per candidate |
| Forms validated in advance? | Yes | No |
| Resit handling | Cirrus picks an unseen form | Cirrus draws new questions |
| Setup effort | One per form | One pool |
| Content exposure | Limited by form count | Limited by pool size |
For tight psychometric balance, multiple fixed forms are stronger. For very large pools and lower-stakes exams, LOFT is simpler.