Using Captivate 8, how do I make each answer a different point value in a multiple choice question with only a single selection?

[Lee Keller]

My task is to make an interaction that will be base its results on answers to quiz questions.  Questions will be multiple choice, single-answer radio buttons, but I must make different values for different answers.  The most common scenario will be a 5 answer question with the participants selecting one.  The correct answer will be worth 2 points.  There will typically be two answers that are acceptable, but not the best.  These are worth 1 point if selected.  Other answers are worth zero.

Thank you for taking the time to read this one.  I look forward to hearing a solution.

Lee

[RodWard]

In a Multiple Choice radio button question there can only be one correct answer as far as Captivate is concerned. 

However, this type of question does have the option of selecting Partial Score on the Quiz tab, and then you can select each answer in turn, go to the Properties tab > Options panel and select Advanced Answer Option. This allows you to assign a different Points score to each answer.

That might get you closer to your goal.

[Lee Keller]

Rod, that's a beautiful answer.  It works right up to the point of hitting enter.  I selected partial score.  That makes sense.  I have a default correct answer, but I can change that or leave it.  I can then select an answer, go to properties and select Advanced Answer Option.  At this point I'm psyched that this is going to work.  I change the point value for the correct answer and it works.... so far.  I go to an answer that I want to give a partial value for and change it to a 1.  I hit enter and it reverts to 0.  I feel like your answer is as totally correct as it can be.... but Captivate will not hold more than one correct value, even if check for partial correct.  This just seems misleading on the part of Captivate at this point.  Thank you for a great answer.  It doesn't solve it, but it looks right.  I will continue to pound on it and look for easy or complex solutions.  My need to solve this is high.

BTW, I love your web site.  You do great work.

Still looking for that answer.  I'm wondering if anyone else has had this situation in a quiz.

[RodWard]

My apologies for getting your hopes up.  I just checked in Captivate 9 and this bug is still there as well.

I suggest you log it in the bug report form on the Adobe website.  If enough people flag it, maybe Adobe will fix it.

[Lee Keller]

Hi Rod,

Apologies unnecessary.  I had checked Captivate 9, as well.  I don't think it is a bug as much as a philosophy I see in all content creation programs.  They have two variations of MCQs: one answer or multiple answers.  We simply need another variation... custom values.  It seems Adobe is close to that.  They just don't make them stick in the single answer aspect.  Checking around forums, I have seen the issue pop up in several times.  Lilybiri posted a solution that will work in a gradient scale, but my solution requires something more flexible.  I think I can use her example, I just have to twist it a bit more in each instance.  I do intend to make the suggestion to Adobe.  Thank you for the great start.

[RodWard]

You're being very gracious to Adobe (something not often seen around here when people don't get what they want), but I definitely believe this is a bug. 

I cannot find a way that Partial Scoring will work as expected unless you can specify different scores for those other answer options.  The option is ONLY available for the Multiple Choice question type (not the Multiple Answer variant with checkboxes).  It practically DANGLES the jewel in front of your eyes by showing you that field where you can enter a score for each answer, and then snatches it away by not saving the value you enter.

I cannot see that this is by design unless there's a sadist somewhere in the programmer pit in Bangalore.

[Lee Keller]

Yes!  It feels like they provide the solution set right up to before completion.  I am working on a variation of Lilybiri's Graded Survey concept.  If it works, I will post it.  I have someone working on other variations.

Have a great day!

[Lee Keller]

I have attempted the following, but with no success.  I am posting this because I cannot find the flaw in my logic.

• Using the "Graded Survey Question" concept (Graded Survey? - Captivate blog) from Lilybiri, (thank you Lilybiri!!!), created a multiple choice survey question with single answer.
• In variables I created TotalScore with initial value of 0.
• In Advanced Actions I created ACorrectBPart to give 2 points for choice A and 1 point for choice B.
• I created Decision Block "IF A"
  • I created condition cpQuizInfoAnswerChoice is equal to A
  • I created action Expression TotalScore = TotalScore + 2
  • Continue
• I created Decision Block "IF B"
  • I created condition cpQuizInfoAnswerChoice is equal to B
  • I created action Expression TotalScore = TotalScore + 1
  • Continue
• I saved it as a local Action, not Shared
• I added the advance action to the slide
• I added a caption box to watch the values of cpQuizInfoAnswerChoice and TotalScore

The answer always shows up correctly depending on my selection.  The TotalScore never adds anything to the value.

I have tried this using Increment instead of Expression with the same result.

Any idea why this test phase doesn't work?

[RodWard]

I think your issue may be which event you are using to trigger the Conditional Action.

You say you "added the Advanced Action to the slide" but you don't mention which event you're using to execute it.  If you have it being executed On Slide Enter, that's not going to work because the learner will not have selected anything by then.  If you use On Success or On Last Attempt, these events only fire AFTER the learner has quit the feedback captions.

And on a larger issue, your next question is likely to be: How do I get the value of my variable added to the quiz?  and the answer will be that you cannot because Quiz System Variables are READ ONLY and cannot be manipulated using Advanced Actions.

[Lilybiri]

Rod, you may be right about the event (although it is mentioned in my post), but the warning that this will not change the Quizzing System variables is there for certain.

[Lee Keller]

Thanks, Lilybiri.  You got me started in the right direction, but I hit a wall... for now.

[Lee Keller]

Thanks, Rod.  I'm thinking you were right at the beginning.  Adobe gives the impression that different values can be given to different answers via Advance Answers... but it fails.  I have a call into the engineering department.  I'm not that hopeful.

Thank you for all your help.

[Guest]

Lee,

I too am in need of this partial score option to a single multiple choice question and have hit the wall.  I have used Captivate for many years.  I downloaded a 30 day trial of Articulate Storyline 2 and low and behold it has this feature.  I hate to leave Captivate, but Adobe has had this issue for too long.

[RodWard]

Once you get into using Storyline, you may find that there are several things you wish IT had that Captivate has had for years.

But if Partial Scoring is the main thing you need, you certainly cannot be blamed for having to jump ship.  Hopefully Adobe can fix this issue before too many other people drain away to their main competitor as a result.

[Guest]

So true Rod!  I am a HUGE Captivate fan.With all of the wonderful features of Captivate, it is a shame they keep ignoring this issue.  It appears too easy...

Thanks!

[sdwarwick]

Please see this post for an answer to how to do this:

https://medium.com/@hdecisions/custom-quiz-scoring-in-adobe-captivate-245b60ef49d3#.apbzqvl8m