Images can be added to assessment questions to support the content and add visual interest, or used as the answer options in an Image Choice question, where visitors select from a set of images rather than text.
Alt text is essential for image choice questions, as the goal is to strike the right balance so it is descriptive enough to be meaningful, but not too much that it gives the answer away.
When a PageTiger document is viewed in Accessible or High Contrast Mode, alt text is read aloud by the visitor's screen reader, helping those with visual impairments understand what the image shows and engage fully with your content.
Why is alt text important in assessments?
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In standard page content, the goal of alt text is straightforward: describe the image accurately so visitors understands what they're looking at.
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In an assessment, it's more nuanced - if an image is being used as an answer option in an Image Choice question, poorly written alt text could reveal the correct answer to someone using a screen reader before they've had the chance to engage with the question.
- Omitting alt text entirely means that visitors using assistive technology won't be able to participate in the assessment at all.
Writing alt text for assessment images
The approach will vary depending on how the image is being used.
Scenario 1 - Image Choice question (image as an answer)
When the image is the answer, describe what you can see without naming the subject directly.
| Alt text | Why | |
| ✅ Correct | A large cat with black spots covering most of its sandy yellow fur. | Describes the image meaningfully without naming the animal. |
| ❌ Incorrect | A photograph of a cheetah laying in the grass. | Names the answer directly - the screen reader reads it aloud. |
Scenario 2 - Image used as the question
When the image forms the basis of the question itself (e.g. "Can you name this city?"), avoid describing anything that identifies the answer.
| Alt text | Why | |
| ✅ Correct | A vast cityscape of a winding river with a drawbridge that has two distinctive towers. | Describes the image meaningfully without naming the city. |
| ❌ Incorrect | A photograph of the River Thames in London. | Names the answer directly - the screen reader reads it aloud. |
Scenario 3 - Image used for visual interest only
When the image simply enriches the question visually and doesn't relate to the answer, a straightforward description is fine.
| Alt text | Why | |
| ✅ Correct | A laptop on a desk, accompanied by a phone, plant, and coffee | A clear, concise description of the image that explains what it shows. |
