# 1. Setup: Exam When creating an exam in Synap, you'll be guided through a series of steps to configure your assessment, candidate access, security settings, and scheduling. {% embed url="" %} Creating a static exam {% endembed %} ## Before you start Before you create an exam make sure you have * Created a quiz (or quizzes for dynamic exams) * Decided how candidates will access an exam (**A. User group** or **B.Direct user registration**) {% content-ref url="/pages/-MkhEIUEYIUZ6Os0k4wI" %} [Quizzes](/doc/quizzes/creating-a-quiz.md) {% endcontent-ref %}

User group access vs Direct user registration

### A. User group access User group access means candidates gain access through membership of a user group. All users in that group will receive access to the exam. {% hint style="warning" %} Once an attempt is generated for a user in a group, removing the user from the group does not automatically revoke or delete their attempt {% endhint %} This is ideal when: * There are distinct sets of users per exam * Long running exams with automations to add users to groups * User group insights and exports are important {% content-ref url="/pages/A0mi2TN377qTUXoC3Lv6" %} [Users & Groups](/doc/users-and-groups/user-types.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### B. Direct user registration By default, exams are associated with a User Group, and candidates gain access to the exam through membership of that group. Alternatively, you can enable **Direct Exam Registration** when setting up an exam. When enabled, the exam is not linked to a User Group. Instead, candidates are registered directly against the exam. This approach is particularly useful for organisations that automate exam administration through the API, as candidate registrations create exam attempts directly rather than relying on User Group membership. Once the exam has been created, candidates can be registered by: * Selecting **+ Register Users** from the Attempt Management table * Registering candidates via the API

Direct user registration

When a candidate is registered, an exam attempt is generated automatically and associated directly with that exam. Direct Exam Registration is recommended when: * You manage candidate registrations through integrations or automated workflows * You want to create and manage attempts directly at the exam level * You do not require a User Group to control exam access {% hint style="info" %} For most standard exam delivery workflows, using a User Group remains the recommended approach. {% endhint %} ## Create an exam When you're quiz/quizzes are ready and you have an access method decided, head over to the exams page and select Create exam.
From the deatils page, add in the name, descriptions, attribute information and access method and save. ## Select the type (static vs dynamic) Select the type exam you want, there are some extra steps involved if you pick dynamic so be sure to check out our docs below! * **Static** = a single source quiz, the exam will contain the exact same questions as the source quiz, all users will get the **same** set of questions. * **Dynamic** = one or more source quizzes, create exam rules based on existing tags, questions or EMQ groups all candidates can get a slightly **different** questions (unless restriction of dynamic variations).
This guide is going to focus on Static exams but use the link below if you're making Dynamic exams. {% content-ref url="/pages/-Mkl31x7yLUowLWg3oFg" %} [Dynamic exams](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/creating-an-exam/dynamic-exams.md) {% endcontent-ref %} Once you've picked the type, click 'Next', to go to the Source step. Search for and select a source quiz from your library for your exam, confirm the selection and finalise this step.
{% hint style="warning" %} Once you've finalised the source step the quiz will be cloned and copied to the exam so **changes to the source quiz after the finalise step will not automatically be pulled through to the exam**. Use the 'Pull latest version' function on the source page if changes are made to the source quiz after the finalise step. {% endhint %} Once your exam set up has been finalised you'll be moved onto the next part of the creation process : **BUILD**, to modify sections or grades that have been pulled from your source quiz.
{% content-ref url="/pages/Frlf6d7w86bX6Bkare6U" %} [2. Build: Exam](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/2.-build-exam.md) {% endcontent-ref %} For static exams many of the configs on the source quiz are copied over to the exam. If you're going to use the same underlying source quizzes often, we'd recommend adding the various settings to the quiz to avoid having to add them to each exam. See our guide on quiz experience for more information on these settings {% content-ref url="/pages/ktpEZANkrtfywEAPgsVQ" %} [Quiz experience](/doc/quizzes/creating-a-quiz/quiz-experience.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ## Settings, configurations and delivery Configure how your exam is delivered, how candidates interact with it, and how results are managed after completion. ### Timers and in exam settings Control the candidate experience during the exam, including time limits, navigation options, question randomisation, calculator settings, and other in-exam behaviours. {% content-ref url="/pages/N5qRY0ZWdeU9JfP3EOfB" %} [Experience](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/3.-configure/experience.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### Grades Configure grading boundaries and classifications used to determine candidate outcomes, such as Pass/Fail thresholds, percentage bands, or custom grade scales. *In order to use certificates and resits grades need to be enabled*. Synap supports both overall grades as well as section specific grades. {% content-ref url="/pages/nWwuLsNb9NBdwGUWsE1Z" %} [Exam grades](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/2.-build-exam/exam-grades.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/3eijYkllkZfpdybycT4J" %} [Certificates](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/3.-configure/certificates.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/6bYNhKINvPO6ooQ7Q9uO" %} [Resits](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/3.-configure/resits.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### Results The Results section controls how and when candidates can access their exam results. Synap supports both **automatic** and **manual** result release workflows. For exams containing manually marked questions, all required marking must be completed before results can be released. Released results contribute to exam reporting, statistics, and insights. Results can also be released while remaining hidden from candidates, allowing organisations to finalise scoring and reporting before making results visible. This functionality can also be used to support timed result releases, where results are prepared in advance and made visible to candidates at a later date. In addition, Synap provides configurable results pages, allowing administrators to control which information candidates can see, including scores, statistics, feedback, and question-level information. For detailed guidance on result release workflows, result visibility, and configuring candidate results pages, see **Managing Results**. {% content-ref url="/pages/zmNRQDlLaJOygUdF3gKz" %} [Results](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/3.-configure/results.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/BHB8093CWNFdVoNymWvv" %} [Exam statistics](/doc/analytics/exam-statistics.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### Scheduling and publishing Control when an exam becomes available, when it closes, and how candidates gain access. This includes publication settings, exam windows, and availability periods. {% content-ref url="/pages/ENYv5VreoRqsXwjkgRc3" %} [Schedule](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/5.-share/schedule.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### Communication and sharing Configure automated candidate communications, including exam invitations, reminders, completion notifications, and result release messages. {% content-ref url="/pages/udUY2C1XoD5xhTt103lN" %} [5. Share](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/5.-share.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/ENYv5VreoRqsXwjkgRc3" %} [Schedule](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/5.-share/schedule.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/qoftxx9nGK298psKfXyS" %} [Exam vouchers](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/5.-share/exam-vouchers.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### Versioning Track and manage changes made to exams, manage multiple versions and revoke and re-issue existing attempts onto a new version. {% content-ref url="/pages/XFoTY6lfUYomOoRVsO81" %} [Versioning](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/5.-share/versioning.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### Proctoring and security Protect the integrity of your assessments with configurable security and proctoring tools. Recording candidate activity and sessions as well as anti-cheat features on quizzes and exams. Synap provides a range of options to support secure exam delivery. {% content-ref url="/pages/BB5FnxiDcTJNwabacWcq" %} [Proctoring with Synoptic](/doc/exams/proctoring/proctoring-with-synoptic.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/04Fp1LA3OG7QerIy9dbJ" %} [Anti-Cheat features](/doc/exams/anti-cheat-features.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/n7OU7Sdq2VXAuJkB51JQ" %} [4. Advanced : Exam Security](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/4.-advanced-exam-security.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/E6b8pwwQaYjECAabJvFZ" %} [Remote Exam Planning Guide](/doc/exams/remote-exam-planning-guide.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ### Marking / scoring Manage how candidate responses are scored, reviewed, and finalised. Synap supports both automatic and manual marking, as well as advanced workflows for moderation, blind marking, escalation, quality assurance, and results finalisation. {% content-ref url="/pages/wmffX5g1pQX91jUEJ3nY" %} [Marking](/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/marking.md) {% endcontent-ref %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://academy.synap.ac/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/creating-an-exam.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. 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