Topics Map > Sakai > Sakai 23 Help > Tests & Quizzes
Sakai 23 - Tests & Quizzes: How do I create a short answer/essay question?
How do I create a short answer/essay question?
This allows for a short answer or essay question to be added to a new or existing assessment. This question type presents users with a question followed by a text box in which they enter the answer. This type of question must be manually graded.
Go to Tests & Quizzes.
![](/images/group278/134776/4afe8ec4-8d48-45ba-b3ad-4d898c2848b2.png)
Select the Test & Quizzes tool from the Tool Menu.
Select an assessment.
Questions may be added to any assessment. Select an existing assessment or create a new one.
Note: You may also add a question directly to a question pool.
Create a New Assessment.
Set the point value for the question.
![](/images/group278/134776/68a55d21-f4c9-4c8a-a42d-2aa08da3d029.png)
Enter the point value for this question. Questions may be worth any point value you choose.
Tip: Keep in mind that the point value of all the questions in the assessment will equal the point value of the assessment in the Gradebook. So if you want your assessment to be worth a total of 100 points, you should assign point values to your questions accordingly.
Display points?
![](/images/group278/134776/79923dcc-80a6-4b53-91d1-15cc425dab76.png)
Do you want students to see the point value as they are taking the test? If so, leave the default setting of Yes. If you prefer that students do not see the point value for the question, select No.
Add Rubric. (Optional)
![](/images/group278/134776/6912786d-9474-4fb3-8748-fb04bf81b8da.png)
Grading rubrics can be selected on manually graded question types. You can select an existing rubric or create a new one by following the steps outlined in How do I add a rubric to an assessment (i.e., test or quiz)?
Minimum Point Value. (Optional)
![](/images/group278/134776/ee2e70a1-3882-4779-b426-1bb4d7a0b28f.png)
This option lets you specify a certain number of points that is awarded automatically to every user who attempts the question, regardless whether or not the user selects the correct answer.
Extra Credit. (Optional)
![](/images/group278/134776/64ffd06b-025f-467b-a8a6-b899fe95eb8a.png)
Selecting this option lets you mark a question as extra credit. This means that the points awarded for this question are not counted as part of the "total points" for the assessment and there are no points deducted for skipping this question or answering incorrectly. However, users answering correctly will receive the question point value added on top of their total points earned in the assessment.
Add Question Text.
![](/images/group278/134776/1c38babb-5f62-4538-86fd-af7de97811e1.png)
Type the Question Text into the text box provided.
Note: To edit with Rich Text Editor, click the hyperlink to open the full menu.
Add attachment. (Optional)
![](/images/group278/134776/4bb2fa1a-40ed-459f-9d0f-286216695441.png)
Click Add Attachments to browse for and select a file attachment if desired.
Assign to part. (Optional)
![](/images/group278/134776/b55c6298-cbd1-45df-871e-4e08303761c2.png)
If you have multiple parts in your assessment, you may assign the question to a different part.
Assign to pool. (Optional)
![](/images/group278/134776/01d0e965-e3fe-4616-bdee-75c6be6de542.png)
If you have an existing question pool and would like to copy this question to the pool, select the pool name here.
Provide model answer. (Optional)
![](/images/group278/134776/4e3fda95-07bf-4bec-9575-1281e9c9c682.png)
Provide a model answer to the short answer/essay question in order to show students a generic version of the expected answer. It may also assist graders with feedback.
Note: To edit with the Rich Text Editor, click the hyperlink to open the full menu.
Provide Feedback. (Optional)
![](/images/group278/134776/a5399bd2-57ba-4f7f-b217-f9cd6e7915ba.png)
Feedback is optional text available for students to view after the particular question is graded.
Note: To edit with the Rich Text Editor, click the hyperlink to open the full menu.
Click Save.
![](/images/group278/134776/eab2e846-6f54-4985-b7fc-6e6bb77501c4.png)
Click Save to save the question (or Cancel to exit).