Canvas Quizzes

Owned by Christine Sandella
Last updated: Apr 11, 2024
3 min read

Canvas Quizzes allows instructors to create high and/or low stakes assessments containing any combination of both auto-scored and hand scored questions. The Quizzes tool allows instructors to add an assessment timer which begins when a student opens the quiz and auto-submits when the timer runs out (if the student has not already manually submitted). Canvas Quizzes offers many adaptable and accessible features to meet all of your formative and summative assessment needs. 

Why use Canvas Quizzes? 

Canvas Quizzes can provide instructors with a way to offer online self-check practice quizzes as well as high stakes written exams. The Quizzes tool provides a range of question types, many of which can be auto-scored by Canvas to save instructors' time. When creating exam questions, instructors can pre-populate customized feedback for students who select correct or incorrect answers.   

Below are some examples of how Canvas Quizzes can be used in your course: 

  • Self-check homework problems  

  • Midterm Exams  

  • Final Exams  

  • Weekly low-stakes knowledge checks 

Benefits of Canvas Quizzes

  • Auto-scoring question types: particularly useful for large enrollment courses. 

  • Hand-scored question types: short answer, fill in the blank and file upload type questions can be used to collect student-generated content. Instructors can use the file upload question type to collect handwritten student work.

  • Individual question: Each question can be set up to stand alone; therefore, instructors can assign points to each question, allowing students to easily see which questions they got right / wrong and how that impacted their grade. 

  • Allow multiple attempts: Set up a quiz to be a self-check, and allow students to take and retake the quiz until they have mastered the content.

  • Student-based quiz timers:  the Canvas quiz timer will begin when a student opens their exam and will auto-submit when the timer runs out. 

  • Extra time/Extra attempts for accommodations: The Moderate Quiz feature gives individual students extra time or extra attempts. View Canvas Accessibility to learn more.

  • Custom Due Dates:  Custom due dates, availability, and until dates can be set for individual students as needed. 

  • Honorlock: Canvas quizzes can be used with Honorlock to restrict student usage of the internet or other software programs on their exam device during the quiz. View how to use Honorlock, Online Exam Proctoring with Canvas.  

How do I use Canvas Quizzes in my course? 

The Quizzes tool is available in all Canvas courses. Instructor and TA level users can always access the tool to create Quiz assessment activities; however, the tool can be hidden from students if desired. To learn more about how to use Canvas Quizzes to facilitate your online course work, please refer to the following Canvas how-to guides: 

Additional Resources