Use this workflow to set up a Simplified Blueprint matrix based on Topics.
Extended Blueprint is the most advanced option for system-driven question selection. There is also a simpler alternative: the Simplified Blueprint based on Topics.
What is a topic?
Topics can be used to categorise items by topic, difficulty level, subject, or theme. They are added by item authors in the tags panel of each item.
Topics can also be used to let the system select questions for assessments based on one or more topics. This is called a Simplified Blueprint.
Why use a simplified Blueprint?
The Extended Blueprint pulls questions from multiple collections matching required Learning Objectives and Taxonomies. With large item banks, this can result in complex Blueprint question pools and matrices.
A Simplified Blueprint pulls questions based on Topics. Because Topics are configured per collection, you can build a Blueprint question pool from just one or a few collections — creating a more straightforward and controllable matrix.
Extended vs. simplified blueprints
| Extended Blueprint (EB) | Simplified Blueprint (SB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Learning Objectives and Taxonomies | Topics |
| Managed by | System administrators via Admin | Authors at item level |
| Scope | Across all collections | Within a single collection |
Topics cannot be shared across collections. Topics from Collection A cannot be used in Collection B.
How to create a simplified Blueprint
Select Blueprint during Step 1 to enable the Simplified Blueprint under the Question Selection tab.
On the Question Selection tab:
- Click Add blueprint.
- Select Simplified — with topics.
- The system presents a list of collections that include Topics. You only see collections (with Topics) that you own or that have been shared with you.
- Select one, several, or all collections to use and click Select.
- The blueprint matrix appears, showing all available topics and the collection(s) they belong to.
- For each Topic, select the amount of score or the number of questions to include (see below).
Set up based on available score or questions
Once the matrix is generated, define the question selection per Topic using one of two methods:
- Select how many marks a candidate can score per Topic.
- Select how many questions with a specific Topic to include.
- Per Topic, select a score or a number of questions — not both.
- When selecting a score, ensure the available questions can deliver it. For example: if there are 2 questions available with Topic X worth 2 marks each, a score of 3 cannot be selected.
- The question selection matrix can be changed up until you generate an assessment form. After that, it cannot be changed. You will see the warning: "You have already created a form based on this blueprint. To change the blueprint you need to delete the form."
Blueprint settings
Blueprint options
Use the cog icon to select specific Blueprint settings:
Fix question pool on publish
Normally the items of the question pool which is aligned with the blueprint will be used. This means after creating an assessment with a blueprint, later added questions that match the LOs/Taxonomies will also be included in the assessment.
However when enabling this setting, the question pool will be fixed when publishing the assessment. No newly added questions will be included.
Item Types
Select which question types you wish to include if you only want specific question types in the assessment. It's basically a filter of question types.
This allows you to make sure certain question types will never be included. Using this you can ensure only non-human-marked questions can be drawn so your assessment can be scored automatically. In that case, make sure "Essay" and "File response" are disabled.
it allows you to publish the assessment with the option "Do not assign Assessors".
(show advanced options)
Item purpose
Choose between Summative, Formative or Both. Meaning your blueprint will be based on questions marked as Summative or Formative.
Summative or Formative?
When creating items authors can mark a question as being Summative or Formative. See here for more information.
Sections - Count section as one item
When enabled a section with 3 questions will counted as 1 item.
Points to remember when using blueprints
- Available questions depend on the assessment type: only summative, only formative, or both (Mixed).
- Items are eligible for a Blueprint assessment if they are Live and have a Topic attached.
- Only items with a Topic are available in a Simplified Blueprint.
- To randomise question order, enable Display questions in random order in the Assessment options.
If you are using a Blueprint, withdrawing an item from the collection requires creating a new version of the assessment. Otherwise, the withdrawn item will still appear in the Blueprint forms.