diff --git a/public/js/assessment.js b/public/js/assessment.js
index 5f2fc9b..96604ff 100644
--- a/public/js/assessment.js
+++ b/public/js/assessment.js
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 		var $questionsContainer = $('#quiztech-questions-container');
 		var $questionContainers = $questionsContainer.find('.quiztech-question-container');
 		var $timerDisplay = $('#quiztech-timer');
+		var $prevButton = $('#quiztech-prev-question'); // ADDED SELECTOR
 		var $nextButton = $('#quiztech-next-question');
 		var $submitAssessmentButton = $('#quiztech-submit-assessment');
 		var $completionMessage = $('#quiztech-completion-message');
@@ -98,6 +99,7 @@
 				// Handle case with no questions if needed
 				showMessage($assessmentMessages, 'No questions found for this assessment.', true);
 				$timerDisplay.hide();
+				$prevButton.hide(); // ADDED
 				$nextButton.hide();
 				$submitAssessmentButton.hide();
 			}
@@ -201,8 +203,13 @@
 					}
 				}
 			} else if ($input.is(':checkbox')) {
-				// Example for checkboxes (if added later) - might need array handling
-				answer = $input.is(':checked') ? $input.val() : ''; // Simplistic, adjust if multiple checkboxes per question
+                // Collect values from all checked checkboxes with the same name
+                var groupName = $input.attr('name');
+                var checkedValues = [];
+                $assessmentForm.find('input[name="' + groupName + '"]:checked').each(function() {
+                    checkedValues.push($(this).val());
+                });
+                answer = JSON.stringify(checkedValues); // Store as JSON string
 			} else {
 				answer = $input.val(); // For textarea, text input, select
 			}
@@ -256,7 +263,7 @@
 					if ($input.is(':radio')) {
 						var groupName = $input.attr('name');
 						value = $assessmentForm.find('input[name="' + groupName + '"]:checked').val();
-					} else {
+					} else { // Includes textarea, text, number, etc.
 						value = $input.val();
 					}
 					if (!value) {
@@ -264,6 +271,8 @@
 						// Maybe add a visual cue near the input?
 					}
 				});
+                // Note: Checkbox groups might not have 'required' on individual inputs,
+                // validation logic might need adjustment if a checkbox answer is mandatory.
 
 				if (!isValid) {
 					showMessage($assessmentMessages, 'Please answer the current question before proceeding.', true);
@@ -281,12 +290,34 @@
 			}
 		});
 
+        // ADDED: Previous Button Handler
+        $prevButton.on('click', function() {
+            if (currentQuestionIndex > 0) {
+                clearMessage($assessmentMessages); // Clear any messages
+                // Hide current, show previous
+                $questionContainers.eq(currentQuestionIndex).addClass('quiztech-question-hidden');
+                currentQuestionIndex--;
+                $questionContainers.eq(currentQuestionIndex).removeClass('quiztech-question-hidden');
+                updateNavigationButtons();
+            }
+        });
+
 		function updateNavigationButtons() {
 			if (totalQuestions <= 0) {
+				$prevButton.hide();
 				$nextButton.hide();
 				$submitAssessmentButton.hide();
 				return;
 			}
+
+            // Previous Button Visibility
+            if (currentQuestionIndex > 0) {
+                $prevButton.show();
+            } else {
+                $prevButton.hide();
+            }
+
+            // Next/Submit Button Visibility
 			if (currentQuestionIndex >= totalQuestions - 1) {
 				// Last question
 				$nextButton.hide();
diff --git a/public/templates/assessment-shell.php b/public/templates/assessment-shell.php
index 5dcfce3..ada4200 100644
--- a/public/templates/assessment-shell.php
+++ b/public/templates/assessment-shell.php
@@ -240,6 +240,7 @@ $show_pre_screening = ! empty( $pre_screening_questions ) && is_array( $pre_scre
 					</div> <!-- #quiztech-questions-container -->
 
 					<div class="quiztech-navigation">
+						<button type="button" id="quiztech-prev-question" style="display: none;"><?php esc_html_e( 'Previous Question', 'quiztech' ); ?></button> <?php // ADDED BUTTON ?>
 						<button type="button" id="quiztech-next-question"><?php esc_html_e( 'Next Question', 'quiztech' ); ?></button>
 						<button type="button" id="quiztech-submit-assessment" style="display: none;"><?php esc_html_e( 'Submit Assessment', 'quiztech' ); ?></button>
 					</div>