For questions that require number or text responses without multiple choices, BluePrint offers Numeric Entry and Text Entry question types. This is particularly well suited for times when your learners must work through questions with no answers provided, coming up with the correct answer entirely on their own.

In this article, we’ll cover what you need to know to build each type. In general, Numeric Entry questions should cover any numeric answer, while Text Entry questions should cover any text answers. But there are specifics that can cause confusion, so read on for a deeper understanding.

Numeric Entry (NE)

Here’s an overview of what a NE question WILL and WON’T do:

• WILL accept additional zeroes, decimals, and commas that do not affect the numeric value

  • Ex: A correct answer of 7 will also accept 7.0, 07, 007, etc.

• WON’T allow learners to enter anything besides numbers, periods and commas
  • Ex: A learner will not be able to enter $15; only 15
  • Ex: A learner will not be able to enter “100 and 200”

Text Entry (TEXT)

Here’s an overview of what a TEXT question WILL and WON’T do:

• WILL ignore capitalization and spacing
  • Ex: A correct answer of “Fable” will also accept “fable,” “FABLE,” and “f a b l e”
• WON’T accept multiple items in any order
  • Ex: A correct answer of “Monday, Tuesday” will not accept “Tuesday, Monday”
• WON’T accept items that can be punctuated differently
  • Ex: A correct answer of “2” will not accept “2.0”
• WON’T accept formulas with multiple correct presentations
  • Ex: A correct answer of “√9” will not accept “3”
• WON’T accept mathematically equivalent fractions and decimals
  • Ex: A correct answer of “3/4” will not accept “6/8”

Multiple Correct Answers

Both question types allowed multiple answers to be accepted. Within the Danger Zone of both question types, clicking “Add another correct answer” opens another field which you can populate with an additional answer.​
 

If you'd like your numeric entry questions to instead allow a numeric range, learn more about the Range question type here. If you'd like your text entry questions to allow for longer responses, check out the Free Response question type here.

Creating Numeric Entry & Text Entry Questions

To create numeric entry and text entry questions in BluePrint, follow the instructions below:

1. Navigate to the Questions tab of your course, and click on New Question.
    
2. Add your question content.
    
3. Add your answer explanation content.
    
4. Select the type as “Numeric Entry” or “Text Entry.”
   
        
    
5. Input the correct answer. If you’d like to allow for different answers, click on Add another correct answer.
   
        
    
6. Select a question category and distribution.
   
   
    
7. Click on Create to finish creating your new question.