Test: Use Launcher to Start the ILIAS Test

1 Initial Problem

• For Tests the "Info"-tab serves vital funcitionality as a launching pad. Users have difficulties to unterstand that such vital functionality is to be used under the non-descript label "Info".
• This form requires users to provide input and take in some important information before actually starting the interaction with the course content. Having the buttons above the form will fail for the same reason as in the survey bug for Success Criterion 2.4.3 Focus Order. 

• We also need a proper place for the Access Codes in case of anonymous tests.
• Another problem is, that the password input is already part of the Test.
• Many test creators want their participants to accept special terms for a test, and now misuse "Compulsory Questions" or "Preconditions" for this.

2 Conceptual Summary

"Info"-tab 

• The "Info"-tab can be switched off in the Settings-tab
• The "Show More Information"-Feature is eliminated
• The Info-Tab always shows all test properties
• The Info-Tab will no longer show "Introductory Message" or a "Start Test" button

"Test"-tab

We add a new "Test"-tab, which is the leftmost tab, left of the "Questions"-tab presented to those who can edit.

The link to the test, in the overarching container, leads to the new "Test"-tab. If a user with "read" permission clicks on the link/the title of a test, ILIAS presents the "Test"-tab displaying

• the "Introductory Message" (if applicable) as Panel

and in the Modal:

• The Exam-Conditions checkbox, which must be confirmed (if applicable),
• then the password enter field (if applicable),
• then (for anonymous tests) the access code enter field (if applicable)
• then the checkbox for the use of "Previous Answers" (if applicable)

Clicking on "Start Test" will start the test, if no dependencies were set, i.e. there are no conditions, no password, no access codes, and the use of previous answers is not allowed; otherwise the modal is shown.

• The "Test"-tab gets its own permanent link in the footer.
• The "Test"-tab uses the launcher component.
• If the "Info"-tab and the "Result"-tab are deactivated, only the Test page, without a Tab bar, is shown.

Any time limits and limits of test attempts are shown in the "Test"-tab.

"Settings"-tab

• Remove setting "Show all Test Properties"
• Add checkbox "Exam Conditions" – Byline: "Participants must select a checkbox to start the test. Please use the introductory message to present the exam conditions to the participants if the label alone is not sufficient."
• Add setting to deactivate the "Info"-tab

Currently, there is no "Modal-Launcher", so the action menu entry 'Start Test' will open the "Test"-tab.

3 User Interface Modifications

3.1 List of Affected Views

• Test > Info-tab and Action Menu
• Test > Settings
• New: Test > Test

3.2 User Interface Details

3.2.1 Info-tab switched off

3.2.2 Info-tab switched on 

3.2.3 Settings

Please note that the introductory message will be entered in another subtab after the implementation of Test: Move General Settings to UI Forms and use IPE.

Addition by Strassner, Denis [dstrassner], 29 JUN 2023: Please add the setting, to deactivate the Info Tab, analog to the Category, to the Additional Features of the Settings:

3.2.4 Modal with Password & Exam Conditions checkbox

3.2.5 Launcher with some settings and message

3.2.6 Action Menu

Outdated mockups

After entering a access code, the "Start the test" changes to "Resume the test":

3.3 New User Interface Concepts

UI Component > Launcher

3.4 Accessibility Implications

We see no new implications.

4 Technical Information

{The maintainer has to provide necessary technical information, e.g. dependencies on other ILIAS components, necessary modifications in general services/architecture, potential security or performance issues.}

5 Privacy

No new personal data will be stored with this feature.

6 Security

From the security point of view, there is no change compared to before.

7 Contact

• Author of the Request: Tödt, Alexandra [atoedt], Strassner, Denis [dstrassner]
• Maintainer: Strassner, Denis [dstrassner], Becker, Maximilian [mbecker]
• Implementation of the feature is done by: Databay AG

8 Funding

If you are interest in funding this feature, please add your name and institution to this list.

• Universität Bern
• Universität Hohenheim
• Universität Stuttgart

9 Discussion

Kunkel, Matthias [mkunkel], 06 JUN 2023: The action menu of the test object needs to be extended, too. Maybe 'Start Test' would be a good label.

Strassner, Denis [dstrassner], 16 JUN 2023: I have extended the mockups. As we have no modal launcher, the action menu 'Start Test' will only open the "Test"-tab.

JourFixe, ILIAS [jourfixe], 26 JUN 2023: We highly appreciate this suggestion and accept the feature request for ILIAS 9. Please change the label on the modal (3.2.4) from 'Start' to 'Continue' to prevent a second (or even third) appearence of a start button.

Riebe, Katharina [kriebe], 04 JULY 2023: Thumbs up! Looks good!

10 Implementation

Implemented with the merge of PR 6298

Test Cases

Test cases completed at 27 OCT 2023 by Strassner, Denis [dstrassner]

• C221: Testeigenschaften anzeigen und Info Reiter deaktivieren (edited)
• C222: Start und Ende des Tests (edited)
• C223: Testpasswort hinzufügen (edited)
• C226: Anzahl von Testdurchläufen begrenzen  (edited)
• C227: Bearbeitungsdauer begrenzen  (edited)
• C236: Verwendung vorheriger Lösungen  (edited)
• C245: "Test unterbrechen" anzeigen  (edited)
• C12929 - Wartezeit zwischen Durchläufen erzwingen (edited)
• C63625 - Prüfungsbedingungen aktivieren

Privacy

No change required

Approval

Approved at 25 OCT 2025 by Strassner, Denis [dstrassner].