Convert BOK to PDF

Instructors need a PDF when recipients do not have Pearson TestGen, or when a test must be printed, submitted, shared, or archived as a fixed document. The conversion renders selected questions into pages; it does not preserve TestGen's editable question-bank data.

What the BOK format is

The most common .bok files are Pearson TestGen test banks. They store structured questions, answers, explanations, metadata, learning objectives, and other item data rather than a finished page layout. Instructors typically receive them with publisher-supplied question banks.

.bok is not a universal document format. Other applications may use the extension for unrelated book or data files, so identify the program that created the file before selecting a converter. Renaming .bok to .pdf changes only the filename and does not convert the contents.

What the PDF format is

PDF is a page-description format that preserves pagination, text placement, images, tables, and much of the intended layout across operating systems. It is suitable for printing, email, submission, and viewing by people who do not have TestGen.

A PDF contains the rendered test, not editable TestGen records, answer metadata, question-selection rules, or the ability to regenerate a different test. Keep the original .bok file and any required TestGen files.

Convert a TestGen BOK file with TestGen

1. Install or access the TestGen release compatible with the bank. Some publisher files require an account, activation, license, password, or accompanying installation files; obtain these from the publisher or institution rather than an unofficial download.
2. Open the .bok file and create a test or select the questions to include. Set the question order, points, headers, answer display, and page-break options in TestGen's test-generation or formatting controls.
3. Use File → Print, Print test, or the equivalent command. The exact labels vary by TestGen release.
4. Select a PDF printer. Windows commonly provides Microsoft Print to PDF; macOS provides Save as PDF in the print dialog. Other systems can use an installed PDF printer. Choose the destination and save the file.
5. Review the print preview and the saved PDF. Generate a separate instructor copy or answer key when required; do not include answers in the student copy.

Printing from TestGen is normally the most faithful method because the application performs the question layout and rendering. It also avoids exposing the proprietary bank structure to a third-party converter.

Use an intermediate document format

If the installed TestGen version provides File → Export, export the selected test to a supported format such as .rtf. Open the export in Microsoft Word or LibreOffice Writer, correct page breaks and formatting, then use File → Export as PDF or File → Save as PDF. This route can provide more control over editing and pagination, but it may alter fonts, equations, symbols, images, tables, or answer-choice alignment.

Use an online converter only after export

Services such as CloudConvert and Zamzar support many common document formats, but they generally do not interpret Pearson TestGen .bok files. Convert the bank in TestGen first, then upload only a supported intermediate file such as .docx, .rtf, or .odt if an online service is necessary. Do not upload licensed test banks, student information, answer keys, or other confidential material unless the publisher and institution expressly allow external processing; use a local PDF printer for sensitive files.

Check the resulting PDF

• Verify that no question text, answer choice, header, footer, or page number is clipped.
• Check mathematical notation, special characters, embedded images, tables, and font substitutions.
• Confirm that the intended question order and point values are present.
• Open the PDF on another device and print a sample page if physical distribution matters.
• Review every page for unintended answers or explanations, and restrict access to instructor and answer-key PDFs.

PDF conversion cannot repair a BOK file that TestGen cannot open. If the file is damaged, protected, or incompatible with the installed release, obtain the matching TestGen version or an updated bank from the publisher.