Create Quiz/Exam in Canvas

Owned by Clint Tuttle
Last updated: Mar 27, 2020 by Kunze, Graham C
4 min read


Getting Started with Quizzes in Canvas

STEP 1 - Add a Quiz

Help with quizzes: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10152-415241475

STEP 2 - Quiz Details

Under the Details Tab:

  • Name the Quiz
  • Provide instructions
  • Let Students See Their Quiz Responses (uncheck)
  • Change this after test and grading is complete
  • Shuffle Answers (x) Check this option
  • Time Limit (x) Check this option and fill in a number of minutes
  • Fill in Due Date, Available From, and Until dates and time
    For more on Canvas Quiz options please see Canvas documentation on Quiz options

STEP 3 - Quiz Questions

Under the Question Tab, select New Question

Canvas has many question types – not just multiple choice


Select what is most similar to what you would do in person. For example, if you prefer paper and pencil tests, use the file upload question but not you can also consider using an Assignment in Canvas for written tests.  For more on this please check out Written Exams in Canvas

Question Types include:

  • Multiple Choice – if order of answers is random, you may have "all of these" instead of "all of the above" as a choice
  • True/False
  • Matching
  • Multiple Dropdown – several multiple-choice questions at once
  • Multiple Answer (choose "all that apply") – Grading is severe as points are taken off for selecting wrong answers to avoid someone getting full credit for selecting all choices.
  • Numerical – set a tolerance or range for what is graded as correct.

  • Fill In the Blank - correct answers are provided; regrading is usually necessary to give credit for words/spelling not anticipated even if the correct answer is numerical

  • Fill In Multiple Blanks - same as above

  • Essay Question - Same as 1ll in the bank with more space for response

  • File Upload Question - This could be great if you’re expecting handwritten work. Students can take a picture with their phone or use a free scanner app to prepare the file to upload.  Excel files or other work can be uploaded (or files can be uploaded in a separate assignment)

  • Text (no question) - this can be used for specific instructions for questions that follow

  • Formula Question - For more on this type see Canvas' documentation


Use Test Banks to randomize

When questions are in a Test Bank, you can add Question Groups instead of individual questions to a test

  • Selecting all questions from a Test Bank will give students all questions from the bank in a random order

  • Selecting less than all questions from a Test Bank will give students a random selection of questions (also in a random order)

If you have multiple Question Groups in a Quiz, the order is random within each Group, but not for the entire Quiz

Two ways to create Test Banks


Questions can easily be moved from one Test Bank to another


Giving SSD students extra time on a Canvas Quiz

  • After publishing the quiz, select Moderate This Quiz in the top right

  • Click on the pencil to the right for students with SSD accommodations and add extra time on every attempt  

  • Click Save

Giving students extra time – Plan B

  • If you forget to set up extra time before the test starts, you can still add extra time
  • Select Moderate This Quiz
  • Click on the student’s tiny clock icon to extend the time

  • Make sure to add minutes to the current end time
  • The tiny clock also comes in handy if a student has some issue during the test


Give a student another attempt

  • Sometimes due to technical issues with submissions or internet connectivity, you may need to give a student another attempt.
  • To do so select the quiz and then select Moderate This Quiz in the top right

  • Click on the pencil to the right for students with SSD accommodations and add 1 or more additional attempts

  • Click Save

Academic Integrity Suggestions

  • Have students agree to an honor statement
  • Use a new test every semester.  The old test becomes the sample test.
  • Randomize the order of the questions (and answers)
  • Have the students show their work.  In STA courses, students must also upload their Rscript.
  • Randomize the questions selected for individual students
  • When issues are suspected, use the Canvas log.  Canvas support has provided IP addresses


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