How to Install and Configure Respondus Exam Author

• Downloading the program
• Computer requirements
• Installing the program
• Starting the program
• Setting personality
• Check for Updates
• Configure Respondus to Missouri State University's Blackboard server
• Problems with installation

Downloading the program

Before installing, you will need to download Respondus4Campus.exe. Faculty can access the Respondus Exam Author downloads and current license keys in Blackboard under the Community tab within the specific community titled, Academic Community. On the left, within the course menu, it is located under Tech Tools and Resources > University Licensed Technology > Respondus 4.0 (Exam Author). License Keys expire on July 31st of each year and must be reset by each user. Respondus is generally used in conjunction with a course management system such as ANGEL, Blackboard, eCollege, WebCT, and can also be used with IMS QTI-compliant assessment systems.

Computer requirements

Operating System
Windows 10, 8, 7

Memory
32 MB RAM minimum

Hard Disk Space
10 MB of free hard disk space for program files

Monitor
1024x768 or 1280x720 minimum resolution

Download Time
The file size is approximately 10 MB.

Learning Management System
Respondus 4.0 is compatible with the following learning management systems and industry standards:

• Blackboard Learn 9.x
• Brightspace 10.x
• Instructure Canvas
• Moodle 3.x
• IMS QTI 1.x

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Install and Configure Respondus Exam Author 

Installing the program

1. Click the Respondus Setup file, and then click Run.
2. On Respondus 4.0 Campus Wide InstallShield Wizard click Next.
3. Accept the license agreement, and then click Next.
4. Leave the destination folder settings and project folder settings at default, and then click Next.
5. When you are finished with the wizard, click Install.
   
    
6. The installation will also ask whether you want to install the Respondus Equation Editor. Go ahead and do so.
   
    
7. When the installation is complete, click Finish to close the Wizard.
    

Starting the program

After you have installed the program, you will need to do an initial setup before you begin using Respondus.

Installation password

1. Once Respondus is installed, start the program by double-clicking the Respondus 4.0 Campus-Wide icon that appears on your desktop.
2. Activate your copy by entering the following information in the available boxes:
   1. Institution Name: Missouri State University
   2. Local Support Contact(s): http://helpdesk.missouristate.edu
   3. Installation Password: This is found in the Blackboard Organization that you downloaded the software from.
3. Click License.
   

Setting personality

When you first start using Respondus you will need to set the LMS Personality.

1. From the Current Personality list, select Blackboard.
   
    
2. Click OK.
    

Check for Updates

Before doing anything else, make sure to check for updates to ensure that you have the most current version of the software and all security and update patches installed. Click the Help menu and select Check for Update. Do this even if you just downloaded and installed the program.

 

Configure Respondus to Missouri State University's Blackboard server

1. Make sure that you have checked for updates as shown above.
2. Under the Start tab, Open or Create a new Respondus file.
3. Enter a name and description for a sample exam then click OK.
   
    
4. Click the Preview & Publish tab.
   
    
5. Select the Publish option and click the Publish Wizard button.
   
    
6. On Step 1 of the Publish Wizard, leave the default selection. On Step 2, select - add new server - from the Blackboard Server menu. Click Next.
   
    
7. Select Yes, check for preconfigured server settings, and then click Next.
   
    
8. Complete the fields with your chosen name to remember the server. We recommend using Bb SaaS or something similar. Select Run connection test and click Next.
    
   Please Note: If your BearPass ID Password is updated, you will also need to update it in Respondus.
    
   
    
9. You will be prompted to log in to Blackboard. Click OK to proceed.
   
    
10. You might be prompted to download a Helper Tool. Click OK.
    
     
11. If prompted, select Yes to allow the Helper Tool to be installed on your computer.
    
     
12. After the Helper Tool is installed, select Agree & Continue on the Blackboard Terms of Use pop-up.
    
     
13. Click the Missouri State University BearPass button to go to the login screen.
    
     
14. Enter your BearPass Login; this is the same username and password you always use to login to Blackboard/My Missouri State. Click Log in to proceed.
15. Once you are logged in, click the Close After Login button in the top right corner.
    
     
16. Click Next once the connection test is successfully completed.
    
     
17. Click Finish
18. Click Next on the Publish Wizard. 
    
     
19. You will be prompted to log in to Blackboard again. Follow the steps in #12-15 above.
20. You are now connected to the MSU Blackboard server and your Blackboard courses should appear from the Choose Course list to publish your test or pool. Select a course from the list, and choose your desired options under Step 3. Click Next to publish your exam to Blackboard.
    
     
21. If you chose Link Exam to Content Area and make available on Step 3 above, choose the course content area where students will access the exam.
    
     
22. When the Publish process is successfully completed, click Finish to return to the Respondus options.
    
     
23. If you would like to confirm that your exam was uploaded successfully, open a browser and log in to Blackboard. Navigate to the course and content area where the exam was published. You should see your Respondus exam at the bottom of the page.
    
     

Problems with installation

If you have any problems with installation or configuration, contact the Computer Services Help Desk.

Please Note: If you receive this error after setting up the server when trying to publish an exam or retrieve questions from Blackboard, open Internet Explorer in the background and try again. You don’t have to use Internet Explorer for anything; it simply has to be open for this error to disappear. If this still doesn’t resolve the problem, see Troubleshooting Respondus Exam Author for further steps.

To request help related to this article, please see our Service Catalog.