Hotspot questions require a learner to respond to a question by selecting a point on an image. The question is scored based on whether the learner selected a point that was within an area set up by the instructor. You can create new questions within an existing Test or Question Bank or directly from the Questions tab.

This question type is not supported on mobile devices for online exams. Exams including this question type must be completed with a screen width of 1024px or larger.

Creating a Hotspot Question

1. In the Enter question text box, type in your question.
   

   Use the Rich Text Editor to edit the question text.

   If the question requires scrolling, you will see a Back to Top arrow above the Save button.

2. Drag and drop or click in the image area to add an image for the answer choice.
   • Upload / URL - Upload a resource from your computer or add one from a URL. EchoExam currently supports .png, .jpg, and .jpeg image files.
   • Resources - Select from resources you have uploaded or that have been shared with you.
   • Stock Images - Choose from our over 1 million royalty-free Stock Images to add to your question.
3. Click Add.
   

   The image is inserted into the question.

4. From the Options tab, you can
   • Change the Points value of the question.
   • Choose the Response Indicator from the dropdown.
     

     The response indicator is the visual representation of the learner's response.

     • Arrow
     • Circle
     • Cross Mark
     • Dot
     • Map Pin
   • Click to set a Border Color for the response indicator.
     

     Choose from one of the predefined colors or enter any Hex Code.

   • Click to set an Interior Color for the response indicator.
     

     Choose from one of the predefined colors or enter any Hex Code.

   • Optionally, enter Hotspot Image Alternate Text.
     

     By default, the uploaded image's file name is displayed. The alternate text can be a maximum of 125 characters.

   • Link a Narrative or Case Study to your question. When linked, click Preview to open a preview modal for the narrative / case study.
     

     A narrative is a descriptive passage, special instruction, a table, image, or other information that you can link to one or more questions. When taking an online exam or printed test, narratives are presented to the learner along with the questions they are linked to.
     A case study is a set of one or more tabs with descriptive passages, special instructions, tables, images, or other information that you can link to one or more questions. Case Studies are typically used to mimic information as it would be displayed in a patient’s medical chart. When taking an online exam or printed test, case studies are presented to the learner, along with the questions they are linked to.

5. From the Hotspots tab, you can
   • Set one or more hotspots to add to the image.
     • Rectangle - You can click and drag to adjust the size of the hotspot.
     • Ellipse - You can click and drag to adjust the size of the hotspot.
     • Freeform - You can add up to 15 points for the freeform shape. Click around to create your shape. When finished, click on the starting point to close the shape.
   • Set the colors
     • Default - This is how hotspot areas will display on reports. 
       

       Choose from one of the predefined colors or enter any Hex Code. Optionally, change the Opacity to any value between 0 and 100.

     • Hover / Active - This is how hotspot areas display when you hover your mouse over them.
       

       Choose from one of the predefined colors or enter any Hex Code. Optionally, change the Opacity to any value between 0 and 100.

     • Focused - This is how hotspot areas display when selected. 
       

       Choose from one of the predefined colors or enter any Hex Code. Optionally, change the Opacity to any value between 0 and 100.

     • Border - This is the hotspot area borders.
       

       Choose from one of the predefined colors or enter any Hex Code.

       • Line type - This is what the hotspot areas border lines look like.
         

         Choose Solid or Dashed from the dropdown.

       • Line width - This is the width of the hotspot areas border lines.
         

         Set it from 0 to 10. 1 is the default.

6. From the Metadata tab, you can view or edit metadata tags associated with the question.
7. From the Feedback & Rationale tab, you can enter
   • Instructor Annotations are additional notes that learners will never have access to, regardless of exam settings.
     

     Use the abbreviated Rich Text Editor to format the question text and / or add a resource.

   • Rationale refers to the reasoning or justification behind the question's answer. Understanding the rationale behind a question can help clarify its purpose and relevance.
     

     Use the abbreviated Rich Text Editor to format the question text and / or add a resource.

   • Correct Feedback is positive reinforcement of the correct answer.
   • Incorrect Feedback can be constructive criticism or additional information that helps clarify why the learner's response is incorrect.
8. From the Additional Information tab, you can reference an article from our Knowledge Base that is relevant to your task. You do not need to switch between the EchoExam interface and the Knowledge Base.
9. Optionally, you can click the Desktop icon to preview how the question is displayed for the learner.
10. When finished, click Save.