We deployed a major update to the Piqosity app this morning. We completely redesigned the test and quiz interface with features like improved question navigation, Desmos calculator integration, and new reading passage markup tools.

Additionally, we made even bigger changes beneath the skin to prepare for upcoming features like deeper AI integration and upcoming ELA and math courses. Altogether it’s our biggest update of the year, and we’re excited for you to benefit from it!

All New Test and Quiz View

Students will find our entirely new test and quiz views while working full-length practice tests, personalized practice, PVT modules, and assignments. The new interface responds to user feedback and incorporates the most recent best practices in online assessment software.

  1. Simplified Window – We’ve hidden unnecessary navigation links when students are working practice.
  2. Quiz Contents & Settings – There are more cover and settings pages to make navigation more clear in full-length tests.
  3. Question Navigation – Students can move between questions in a quiz using an improved pop-up that loads from the footer.
  4. Dual Column Layout – Some content like passage-based questions now show the passage text on the left and the question on the right.
  5. Linked Text – We’re replacing line numbers and image-based passages with dynamic, responsive links between the passage text and question.
  6. Text Markup – The switch to text-based passages means that we’re replacing some of our on-screen whiteboards with click and type notes.
  7. Hide Timers – Students can now hide the timers in the quiz settings or by directly clicking on the countdown, which can help reduce anxiety.
  8. Read Out Loud – Students can now have their computers read text out loud if needed.
  9. Desmos Calculator – Students now have access to a graphing calculator on applicable math problems. The type of calculator varies.
  10. Question View – We’ve completely rewritten the Question View page with an improved Q&A and stats interface.

New Question Editor

Piqosity content creators and educators will experience a completely rewritten Question Editor, which makes it easier than ever for them to write their own practice questions.

  • The new multi-page editor guides educators step-by-step through the question writing process, and a validation script automatically ensures that each question has been created correctly.
  • A new draft and revision history feature allows the user to easily save their work in stages before publishing and track changes across previous versions.
  • Finally, educators can preview exactly how students will see their question before publishing.

We’ve also added some new question types like “multiple correct answers” and “no incorrect answer.” Still to come later this year is a brand new “Text Editor” which will allow our content creators to upload full-length texts like novels. Long form reading will be integral to our new ELA course.

Setting the Stage for New AI Features and ELA Courses

Much of the work we’ve deployed today is to lay the groundwork for some exciting new developments still to come this fall.

We’re building a new AI question generator to help our content team more quickly add new practice questions and reading passages. As the technology evolves, we also plan to allow students to use the AI question generator to make unlimited, personalized practice questions.

Our content team is writing a brand new English Language Arts (ELA) course. The course will initially focus on grades 3-5 but will quickly scale up to support students through grade 11 and beyond.

The new ELA course will eschew specific grade-level boundaries so that students can seamlessly advance or remediate at their own pace. The focus of the new ELA course will be on students reading well and writing proficiently when compared to their peers.