Published on: 05/01/2024 · Last updated on: 02/01/2026

What is NUMBAS?

NUMBAS is an open-source maths e-assessment platform developed by the University of Newcastle. Key features:

• Automark student responses.
• Provides worked solutions or tailored feedback immediately or on a set date.
• Randomises question variables to generate unique versions, supporting practice and reducing copying.
• Is free, well-documented, and actively maintained.

Why use NUMBAS?

NUMBAS is a useful tool to help students enhance their maths skills through practice and is well suited to formative assessment: as it is able to provide detailed and timely feedback at scale.

It can support learning and teaching in the following scenarios:

• Delivers instant, detailed feedback at scale.
• Supports formative assessment and regular practice.
• Helps diagnose skills gaps before teaching begins.
• Bridges the transition from school to university by reinforcing good habits.
• Enables flipped and blended learning.
• Provides remote learners with access to assessment and feedback.

How can staff use it effectively?

• Re-use or adapt questions from an existing question bank from numbas.mathcentre.ac.uk
• Build your question bank gradually.
• Note limitations: feedback is based only on the final answer.
• Use NUMBAS to free up contact time for deeper learning.
• Host your NUMBAS quizzes on Moodle using the External LTI tool for better reporting (contact the tel@bath.ac.uk for more information).

University of Bath staff can join the NUMBAS users group on Teams for more NUMBAS information and service updates.

How can students use it effectively?

• Practice regularly and manage time effectively.
• Engage with feedback to improve methods, not just answers.
• Build confidence and resilience.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses.

What are the pros & cons?

Pros

• Scalable formative assessment with instant feedback.
• Supports flipped, blended, remote learning and regular practice habits.
• Randomisation promotes integrity and collaboration.
• Data informs teaching.

Cons

• Only assesses final answers—unsuitable for all question types.
• Initial setup and authoring take time.
• Complex questions can be hard to write.
• Limited use for summative assessment due to IT security and content constraints.

Case studies

NUMBAS – an e-assessment tool for learning – University of Bath

Students with maths anxiety benefit from the deliberate practice with NUMBAS – University of Bath

Using NUMBAS for formative and summative assessment of Health students – University of Bath

TEAME – University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology

The TEAME project looked at using the NUMBAS e-assessment platform to support formative e-assessment for approximately 500 first year Mathematics and Statistics students. Students were given unlimited access to practice questions and feedback a week before assessments. Staff reported good student engagement and participation, with students were positive about the instant feedback and usability of the tool.

Further reading and References

• NUMBAS Documentation
• NUMBAS training workshop recordings
• JISC Effective Practice with e-Assessment (2007) [pdf]