The Hotspot Question type allows the author to upload an image and outline target regions (hotspots) within the image, for validation. Learners will be able to click on the target region(s) to input a response.

Figure 1: Hotspot Question example.

Create a Question

Watch the "How to Author a Hotspot Question" tutorial video.

Enter the Question stem into the Compose question area. Below you will see the Stimulus Image section. Paste a link to the image in the Source URL field. Define the image width and height in pixels. See the example in Figure 2, below.

Figure 2: Hotpsot Question basic parameters.

The uploaded image is visible in the Areas section. Here, response options are defined for the learner by outlining the required shapes. You can create as many outlines as needed (see the example in Figure 3). To remove an existing area, switch from Draw to Delete mode and click on the area once. You can also use Undo and Redo options in the toolbar above the image.

Figure 3: Drawing hotspot areas.

You can now configure validation for your Question. Follow these steps to set up scoring and the correct response:

• Insert a value in the Point(s) box to set up a mark for the Question. The default value is 1.
• In the Correct tab, you will see a copy of the Question with the drop zones rendered. To set the correct answer just simply select the hotspot area which is the correct answer.
• If there is more than one correct response, enable the Multiple Responses option and select the additional hotspot areas which you wish to be additional correct responses.
• Scoring: the Hotspot Question type can use three different scoring types:
  • Partial match per response,
  • Partial match, and
  • Exact match.

More options

Under the More options button, in Scoring section, you can change formatting settings, scoring types and apply different styles to your Question.

Other Scoring options:

• Unscored/Practice usage type - Enabling this option will remove all scoring from the Question.
• Penalty point(s) - The value entered here indicates marks that will be deducted from the learner for an incorrect response.
• Check answer button - If this is enabled, a "Check answer button" will appear to the learner alongside the Question; clicking this button will indicate to the learner if their answer is correct or incorrect, but it will not tell them the correct response. This can be useful for informal assessment.
• Check answer attempts - The value entered here will indicate how many times the learner can use the "Check answer button". A value of 0 indicates an infinite number of times.
• Minimum points if attempted¹ - Points awarded to the learner for attempting the Question, regardless of a correct or incorrect response.

'Extra' options

The extras section in the authoring interface allows you to add more information about the Question, information that we refer to as metadata.

There are a number of fields available: acknowledgements, contains math, distractor rationale, distractors, instructor stimulus, rubric reference, sample answer, and stimulus (review only).

To learn more about the options shown in the Extras section, see Understanding the Extras Section of the Question Editor.

Area attributes

In this section, you can configure colors for the hotspot areas. Area attributes can be set either globally (applied for all areas) or individually (applied only to specific areas).

Authors can select various characteristics such as fill, stroke colors, and opacity using the color picker tool. The options "Selected fill color" and "Selected outline color" will be shown for areas that the user has selected, either by clicking, tapping or using keyboard/tab controls.

When setting individual attributes, a text label can also be defined. Labels will not be visible for the learners but may be useful when reviewing learner responses. See the example in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Area attributes and color picker tool.

1. Note: “Minimum points if attempted” replaces the earlier label “Minimum score if attempted”. Version added: v2026.1.LTS