Learn how to use COLE, Concordia's OnLine Exam platform by watching these instructional videos (resources for faculty and students)
Online assessment platforms
COLE & Moodle
At Concordia Instructors can choose to administer online exams either on Moodle or COLE (Concordia's OnLine Exam) platform. While Moodle supports a variety of timed and untimed assessments with Assignment, Quiz, Forum, Workshop, Wiki, etc., COLE only supports timed assessments (midterm and final exams) which are created using the Quiz Activity (termed Exam on COLE).
This page will focus on using COLE for online assessments. For more information on using Moodle for your online assessments please refer to the CTL page Moodle Assessments: Assignments & Quizzes
Last updated: March 2, 2021, 5:20 p.m.
***The content on this page will be continually updated.
On this page
Getting started with online assessments (COLE)
Why use COLE? Apart from the enhanced Quiz/Exam features, faculty can benefit from the services provided by a dedicated exam support team including creating exams, entering questions, adding ACSD extensions, configuring Proctorio (if the exam is proctored), and marking support. Students can benefit from in-exam live support via a built-in chat feature and a help line.
Overview - Concordia OnLine Exams (COLE)
This is the COLE information site on Concordia’s website. Here students and faculty will find FAQs and video tutorials about the COLE platform.
How to use COLE for your Exam (with or without proctoring) (sign-in required)
Information on uploading your exam into the COLE system.
Proctoring vs non-proctoring
Quick view of online assessment platforms (sign-in required)
The page provides an overview of the advantages, limitations, where to use, and when to avoid - non-proctored and proctored exams.
COLE faculty support
Did you know there is a COLE faculty support site within the COLE platform? Here you will find an overview of COLE platform features, COLE exam process, Proctoring options, as well as Proctorio review and marking related support materials.
Cole faculty support (sign-in required)
If you do not see the Faculty Support site on your COLE Dashboard (below), please contact examsonline@concordia.ca
| COLE basics (sign-in required) | Marking (sign-in required) |
| Introduction to COLE | Batch grading |
| COLE Exams: The Process | Grades |
| Find your way around COLE | Manual grading |
| Question types | Mark by questions |
| Upload options for pen and paper exams | Responses Export |
| Create Your Own Exams | Make marks and feedback available to students |
| Export grades from COLE and Import into Moodle Gradebook |
The COLE process & deadlines
Setting up your exam
Make sure you are familiar with the COLE process. Review the following:
COLE Exams: The Process (sign-in required)
- Before the exam
- During the exam
- After the exam
Additional resource: How to use COLE for your Exam (with or without proctoring) (sign-in required cspace) Information on uploading your exam into the COLE system.
Exam deadlines
IMPORTANT: To have your exams hosted on COLE, you will need to let the COLE support staff know your plans in advance as per the deadline schedule below. Missing these deadlines makes it difficult for the exams to be created, tested and made available on time.
Make sure to check COLE exam submission deadlines (sign-in required)
Preparing students for online exams
Here are some suggestions on how you can prepare your students to write their exams through COLE
For faculty: How to administer exams on COLE
Review information on COLE integration deadlines and procedures
Review resources explaining how to communicate exam requirement esp. when exam is proctored (Determine what information to include on your syllabus – see below Your Syllabus & Exams).
Keep up to date with Concordia’s communications to profs regarding exams.
Review: Helping students prepare for exams
For your students: How to prepare students to take exams on COLE
Your students have access to practice exams, either with non-proctored and proctored (auto proctoring or live proctoring).
Provide COLE link and brief instructions on your Moodle course.
Make sure students take practice exams
Students are recommended to take the practice exam 7-10 days before their exam to test the system and get familiar with the exam environment.
Students can log in to cole.concordia.ca to find the practice exam on the dashboard once it’s made available.
Each student only has one trial for a proctored practice exam. It is recommended that they take the exam at least a few days before the exam to leave enough time to fix any possible technical issues that show up during the trial.
NOTE: Some non-proctored practice exams provide the opportunity for students to get familiar with COLE and different question types. These can be accessed by students any time and as often as they wish.
Review with your students: Tips for Minimizing Technical Issues & Disruptions (sign-in required)
Share with your students how to contact support (whom to contact for what)
Students should contact the COLE support team via the built-in help chat or the toll-free number at the bottom of any COLE page. Even it's a Proctorio related issue, it is good to first reach out to COLE support so there is a record of the technical problem, which may be used to provide the student with extra time later on if warranted.
COLE FAQ (sign-in required): Make sure you are familiar with:
