Taking Quizzes, Tests, and Exams Online

Preparing to take a Quiz, Test, or Exam

Quizzes, Tests, and Exams (all labeled as 'quizzes' in Canvas) can feel stressful because they often carry higher stakes than regular assignments. Instructors handle these assessments differently: some weight them heavily toward your final grade, while others use them primarily to gauge student understanding with minimal grade impact.

Instructors also set different rules for Canvas quizzes. Some impose time limits while others don't. Some allow multiple attempts while others permit only one. Before taking any assessment, review all the details which will help guide your preparation and know what to expect. When in doubt, contact your instructor for clarification.

Quiz Tips and Tricks

Your quiz needs to be submitted before its due date
Instructors have access to a log that shows your activity in the quiz
Having multiple browser tabs or windows open while taking a quiz may cause issues when submitting answers or when completing a quiz.
If you lose internet connectivity Canvas extends the time for five minutes, saving the answer entered before the timer runs out.
Some instructors will be using proctoring software for their quizzes. They should let you know that they will be using this software and prepare you for that process.

Accessing the Quiz

Instructor's should have the quiz in the relevant module, you may also access the quiz through the 'Quizzes' button in the Course Navigation Menu. Quizzes are indicated by a rocket ship icon. Complete the quiz per your instructor's instructions. Quizzes will either have all the questions on one page, or each question will be shown one at a time.

There are several different question types in Canvas that your professors may choose to employ including multiple choice, matching, short answer, fill in the blank True/False, long answer/essay format, etc. Questions can vary by question type.

You can use other areas in the quiz to help you navigate and complete quiz questions, including the sidebar and the flagging questions feature.

How will I know the point value of the quiz and the time limit?

Before you start taking the quiz the information should be clearly laid out in the quiz information window.

Quiz information window displaying due date, point value, number of questions, availability window, and time limit

Where can I see my progress on the quiz?

Sidebar in a quiz that can be used to track your progress in the quiz

At any point during the quiz, you can view a summary of your quiz on the sidebar. Questions you've answered will be faded out and identified by a checkmark icon [1], while unanswered questions will be bolded and identified by a question mark icon [2].

You can also view the due date for the quiz [3]. In the sidebar, the quiz due date refers to the autosubmit date, which can be a specified Until date or the last day of the course.

You'll also see a timer showing your progress on the quiz. For untimed quizzes [4], the quiz shows as the elapsed time. If you are taking a timed quiz [5], the timer shows the running time and counts down until the time expires.

Links to an external site.

Can I flag questions and return back to them later?

Yes! You can flag the questions you want to go back to by clicking the flag by the question [1]. The flag will change color to yellow to remind you to finish the question. The yellow flag will also appear in the question overview in the sidebar [2].

Selecting the flag icon so that it becomes yellow marks questions that you can come back to

What warnings will I receive if I'm taking a timed quiz?

If you are taking a timed quiz, or you are taking a quiz close to the due date or lock date and time, Canvas generates warning messages to help you manage your time in the quiz. Canvas will also warn you if you lose your internet connection during the quiz.

If you are taking a quiz with a set due date, you will see a warning popup banner as to how many minutes remain before the quiz will be marked late. Warnings appear 30 minutes prior, five minutes prior, and one minute prior. If you start a quiz near the time when it will be due, you may not have the full time to take the quiz which is indicated by a popup banner. Warning message indicating that there is a time restriction where you might not have the full amount of time to take the quiz

What if I forget to answer some of the questions on the quiz?

If you have forgotten to answer some of the quiz questions, Canvas will confirm your submission before submitting the quiz. To submit the quiz anyway, click the OK button [1]. To return to the quiz, click the Cancel button [2]. Warming message that show when you have unanswered questions before you submit

Submitting Your Quiz

Canvas will save your quiz responses as you go through it. When you are finished, submit your quiz by clicking the 'Submit Quiz' button. If you do not submit a timed quiz before the time runs out, Canvas displays a pop-up box telling you that your quiz time has expired. The quiz automatically submits after the ten-second countdown [1], or you can click the Ok, fine button, or Close icon to submit your quiz [2].

The submit button located below the last question of a quiz