The Force Completion setting on Blackboard exams only allows for a one-time entry into the exam. If the student accidentally closes the browser, or loses the connection to the test, the student cannot continue with the exam unless the instructor intervenes and resets the exam. For this reason, this setting is not recommended.
The Timed Test option allows the instructor to set a time limit on exams. Whether or not the exam is auto-submitted, the elapsed time is noted in Blackboard. If the student exceeds the time (for a non auto-submitted test), an exclamation point is listed in the grade center and the instructor has the option of adjusting the grade based on the time.
It is recommended to set the Timed Test option without using the Force Completion option for Blackboard exams.
If the exam does not use Force Completion and the exam connection is broken, the student will be able to re-enter and continue taking the exam. The timer will continue to record the time from the initial exam entry. This results in less instructor intervention and less student frustration with the exam.
For additional information, see Force Completion of a Blackboard Test (Palomar College), “Force Completion is one of those functions that sounds like it will be useful, but really is just a way of going swimming in cement boots.”