Creating Quizzes and Question Banks

In Canvas, quizzes refers to any quiz, survey, test or exam that includes instructor-generated questions. This can include graded or ungraded surveys and graded or ungraded quizzes.

Canvas Quizzes tool allows for multiple question types (e.g., multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, essay, matching, etc.), randomized questions, and feedback options. Quiz settings also allows for the customization of things like the number of attempts a student may submit, time limits, and the display of correct responses and feedback from the instructor. 

NOTE: Even though Canvas Quizzes are called quizzes, they are used to create any online, question-based assessment for a course, such as an online exam or quiz.

This guide will cover:

  • Creating a Canvas Quiz
  • Quiz Settings
  • Types of Questions
  • Creating Question Groups
  • Creating Question Banks
  • Grading Quizzes and Quiz Analytics

 

Creating a Canvas Quiz

Quizzes Overview Links to an external site. from Instructure Canvas Video Guides Links to an external site..

Canvas Quizzes allow you to create online quizzes and exams to asses comprehension of course materials. Quizzes have a variety of question types (multiple choice, true / false, essay, etc.) to choose from. Use the video above for a brief introduction to creating a quiz in Canvas.

If you are creating an online assessment using Canvas Quizzes, you will want to set the quiz type to Graded Quiz Links to an external site..

Question Titles: When creating quiz questions, there is an option to create a question title. Having titles is helpful when navigating question banks in the creation of midterm or final exams. This title could include question type and subject. For example, naming a question "Ch. 1 - MC" would identify a multiple choice question from the first chapter of a textbook.

 

 

 

Quiz Settings

Canvas allows you to set quiz settings like the number of attempts and time limits.

You have a variety of settings to choose from when creating a quiz. These settings allow you adjust the instructions, set a time limit, whether or not students can see the correct answer and when.

Learn more about adjusting quiz settings Links to an external site..

If you have students who are approved for extended time accommodations through Accessible NU, you can manage the administration of their quiz by adjusting the settings of the quiz to allow them to test with their approved time. Read more about adjusting settings for extended time in Classic Quizzes.

New "Assign To" Interface

 

 

Question Types

There are various question types you can use when creating your Canvas Quiz. For a complete description of the options available for each question-type, refer to the linked guides below:

 

 

Question Groups

Questions in Canvas quizzes can be categorized into groups.

A question group allows instructors to create a pool of questions that Canvas will randomly draw from. This creates a unique quiz for each student. After creating a question group within a quiz, instructors can either drag and drop questions into the group or pull from an existing question bank. 

 

 

 

Question Banks

Question banks allow instructors to organize all of the questions available for a quiz. By organizing questions into banks, instructors can quickly pull questions from across the course into single exams. Banks are ideal for creating midterms or final exams from existing quiz questions. 

 

 

 

Grading and Analytics

Canvas will automatically grade quiz questions that have correct answers identified. Instructors should access the quiz submissions in Speedgrader to grade any open response or essay questions.  

Instructors can also view analytics by question or student and allow additional attempts for specific students.