We’d been hearing this request for a long time: the ability to create fill-in-the-blank questions in online exams, with auto-grading options based on accepted answers. We listened, and we went even further: introducing our new question format available in Nexam, Flexible Content.
Three Types of Answer Zones, Right Within the Question
Our new question format lets you create answer zones directly within the question text, using different formats:
- short answer, in a free-text field;
- dropdown list, to choose from predefined options;
- drag and drop, to move elements into the right spot.
You can even mix all three types of zones within the same question. For example, you could ask students to fill in a conjugated verb in a sentence, select the correct grammatical tense from a dropdown list, then drag and drop each word into its grammatical category in a table, all within a single question.
Customizing Each Answer Zone
Each type of zone comes with its own configuration options.
| Zone type | Configuration option | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Short answer | Text box length | Give (or withhold) a hint to candidates about the expected length of their answer |
| Short answer | Case sensitivity | Choose whether auto-grading should account for upper/lowercase, depending on the level of precision required |
| Dropdown list | Available choices and correct answer | Define the full list of options offered to candidates, as well as the answer(s) considered correct |
| Drag and drop | Adding decoys (also called distractors) | Offer visible elements that don’t match any correct answer, to check whether candidates truly understand the material rather than guessing by elimination |
Automated and Fair Grading
The new Flexible Content format is 100% compatible with auto-grading, using the various automated grading strategies available in Nexam.
But as always with Nexam, if a zone requires human judgment, for example to assess the quality of a written response, the question goes through Nexam’s anonymized grading module. Graders don’t know whose submission they’re evaluating, which ensures fairness while simplifying their work: no need to juggle multiple tools, no matter how complex the question. Nexam’s built-in grading guides also support graders through this process, ensuring consistent grading from one grader to the next.
Why Create a Fill-in-the-Blank Question with Our Flexible Content Format?
This format gives you more room to build assessments that reflect the reality of the learning or the skill being evaluated. A language fill-in-the-blank exercise, a diagram to label, a matching table to complete: all of these scenarios become possible without multiplying the number of separate questions.
For teachers, trainers, and certification managers, this means assessments that are closer to real-world situations, without complicating grading.
Learn More
For detailed step-by-step instructions, answer zone configuration, and accepted answers, see the Flexible Content article in our help center (log in to your Nexam account required).
Want to learn more about Nexam’s Fill-in-the-Blank options? Request a demo →