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Adding rules to a dynamic section

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A dynamic section in a test form contains rules that select test items from an item pool. You can use dynamic rules when you want to randomly generate a test form for all candidates or deliver different items to different candidates.

This article explains how to add rules to a dynamic section.

1. Select Add

Select your section folder in the Test Form Rules screen.

IMPORTANT: The section’s Content Type must be set to Dynamic in Section Properties. For more information, read ‘Edit Section Properties’ in Adding sections to a test form.

Select Add to open the Section (Dynamic) dialog where you can create rules.

2. Set up the rule

Enter a name for the rule in the Rule Name field.

Enter the minimum and maximum number of items you want the rule to select in the Minimum number of items and Maximum number of items fields. You must ensure the number of items specified by all rules in a dynamic section match the Total items setting in Section Properties. For more information, read ‘Edit Section Properties’ in Adding sections to a test form.

Select Non scored to remove all scores from the items chosen by this rule.

TIP: Non scored is useful for dynamically adding pre-test items to a test.

3. Search for items

You must run a search in the Section (Dynamic) dialog to find items for your rule.

Select Create Parameter to search for items.

Choose a parameter type in the Select Type menu. For information about all search parameters, read About test form search parameters.

Choose the subjects you want to search in under Select Projects.

TIP: You can select multiple subjects if they are part of a subject group. This allows you to search for items across subjects.

Select the relevant setting or enter a value in the following steps. These change based on the parameter type you choose.

The Available Items count shows you how many items are available based on your search parameter.

Select Create to run the search and return the available items.

You can search for more items or select Done to view the items returned from your searches so far.

IMPORTANT: Friend and enemy relationships do not work with dynamic rules.

4. Refine search parameters

The Search Parameters grid displays all currently active search parameters.

Column	Description
Type	The type of search parameter. For more information about the different types, read About test form search parameters.
Parameter	The values used in the search parameter.
Item count	The number of available items returned by the search parameter.

To change the details of a search parameter, select it in the grid.

Select Edit Parameter to change the parameter settings in the Edit Parameter dialog.

Select Delete to remove a search parameter.

TIP: Select Create Parameter to add additional search parameters.

5. Refine search results

The Search Results grid displays all the items that match your search parameters.

Select Match all parameters to show items that match all search parameters (AND logic). Select Match any parameter to show items that match at least one search parameter (OR logic).

Column	Description
Item ID	The unique ID assigned to the item.
Name	The name given to the item in Item Authoring.
Usage count	The total number of times the item has been delivered.
Test form count	The total number of test forms the item has been added to. NOTE: This only accounts for items added to fixed sections.
Facility value	The difficulty value between 0 and 1. Also known as the P value.
Item type	The type of item. This can be Question, Information, or Survey. NOTE: Items from ContentProducer can also be Rubric or Source.
Scored	Yes indicates the item is scored. No indicates the item is non-scored.
Marked metadata	The marked learning outcomes associated with the item. For more information, read ‘Setting up Marked Learning Outcomes’ in Using tags in items.
Required tools	The tools associated with the item. This includes source material and images that open as a pop-up. You must add the listed tools to the test form before it can validate. For more information, read Adding tools to a test form.
Keywords	The Keyword tag values associated with the item.
LO	The Learning Outcome tag values associated with the item.
Marking type	The marking type of the item. This can be Computer (Auto) or Human. NOTE: Items from ContentProducer can also use Smart Mark.
Question type	The type of question.
Total marks	The total number of marks assigned to the item.
Unit	The Unit tag values associated with the item.

6. Preview items

To see a preview of the item in delivery, select it in the grid and use the Preview Item button.

7. Save rule

Select OK to save your rule and return to the Test Form Rules tab.

IMPORTANT: You must also select OK in the Test Form Rules tab to save your changes to the test form.

NOTE: You may experience performance issues if you add more than 50 rules to a section.