# Create an exam

> Exams are in beta. An exam is a course page built for a timed, secure assessment. Students start from a landing page, work in an exam shell, and submit. You author questions with the…

Source: https://www.curacourse.com/help/exams-beta

## At a glance

**Exams are in beta.** An exam is a course page built for a timed, secure assessment. Students start from a landing page, work in an exam shell, and submit. You author questions with the same activity blocks you use in lessons, then control the timer, navigation, and integrity settings from **Exam Settings**.

Because this is beta, try a practice exam before a high-stakes sitting and tell us what is missing. Profile icon → **Get support** or **Give feedback**.

## Prerequisites

- Instructor access to the course.
- Exams are included with **Pro**. On **Core**, enable the **Exams** add-on (+$5 per learner per term). **Starter** does not include exams. See [Course Billing](https://www.curacourse.com/help/course-billing).

## Create an exam

1. Open the course **Table of Contents**. See [Course dashboard basics](https://www.curacourse.com/help/course-dashboard-basics-table-of-contents-adding-content).
2. Click **Add Content** → **Add Lesson** (or **Add lesson** on a module).
3. Choose **Exam** (“Timed, secure exam with activity questions”).
4. Give it a title. Add questions with **Add Question** at the bottom of the editor, or type `/` and pick an activity. **Instant Feedback** is not available on exams.
5. Open **Exam Settings** in the right sidebar.
6. Set **Access Policy** (visibility, lock, password, grade release) and **Score Policy** (attempt limits). New exams default to **1 submission**.
7. Make the exam visible when you are ready. Preview with **View as** a learner.

## Exam Settings

These apply to the published exam. The editor always shows every question.

| **Setting** | **What it does** |
| --- | --- |
| **Automatic full-screen** | Expands the browser to full-screen when the student begins. |
| **Track tab leaving** | Records when a student leaves the exam tab or exits full-screen. Alerts show in **Exam Alerts**. |
| **Paginated questions** | Shows one question at a time for students. |
| **One-way movement** | Students can only move forward. Requires pagination. Going back is disabled after a one-time warning. |
| **Timer** | Shows a countdown. It turns red under 10% time remaining. Set duration in minutes. |
| **Disable right-click** | Hides the right-click menu on the exam page. Students can still use browser or computer shortcuts. |
| **Disable shortcuts** | Blocks common page shortcuts such as print and view source. This is best-effort in the browser; OS and browser-chrome shortcuts cannot be blocked. |

Visibility, locks, passwords, and grade release live in [Access Policy](https://www.curacourse.com/help/access-policy-visibility-locking-and-grade-release). Submission attempt limits live in [Score Policy](https://www.curacourse.com/help/score-policy-submission-rules-and-grading-strategy).

## What students see

- If you set a password, they enter it before they can begin.
- The landing page has **Begin Exam**. If they are on their last remaining attempt, they get a warning first.
- During the exam they use **Submit Exam** (not Mark as Done).
- After they submit, review and grade release follow the Access Policy and Score Policy you set.

## Common gotchas

- This feature is in **beta**. Behavior and settings may still change.
- **Instant Feedback** cannot be added to an exam.
- **CuraAI for Learners** is not available on exams.
- **One-way movement** only appears after **Paginated questions** is on.
- Right-click and shortcut blocking cannot stop a student from switching apps, using another device, or using OS-level shortcuts.
- New exams default to one submission. Raise the limit in Score Policy if you want retakes.

## Next steps

- [Interactive Activity Blocks](https://www.curacourse.com/help/interactive-activity-blocks)
- [Access Policy: visibility, locking, and grade release](https://www.curacourse.com/help/access-policy-visibility-locking-and-grade-release)
- [Score Policy: submission rules and grading strategy](https://www.curacourse.com/help/score-policy-submission-rules-and-grading-strategy)
- [Course Billing](https://www.curacourse.com/help/course-billing)