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Quizzes/Tests

Create Different Types of Classic Quiz Questions

Last updated on March 27, 2026

Canvas Classic Quizzes include a variety of question types that allow you to assess more than basic recall. By using different formats, you can evaluate critical thinking, provide targeted feedback, and create a more accessible experience for your students. This tutorial walks you through how to create and use different Classic Quiz question types in Canvas.

Please see our tutorials called Create and Edit New Quizzes or Create Different Types of New Quiz Questions for guidance on using New Quizzes in Canvas.

Directions

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Accessibility Tips

  • Use clear, concise language and simple formatting.
  • Ensure all questions can be completed using a keyboard.
  • Add alternative text for images and avoid color-only meaning.
  • Include multiple correct answer variations (e.g., capitalization or formatting differences) so correct student responses are not marked incorrect.

Considerations for Generative AI

The following are general suggestions based on how easily generative AI (GenAI) tools can answer different question types. 

  • Suggested question types for practice or low-stakes quizzes: Multiple Choice, True/False
    •  These questions are typically easy for GenAI tools to answer, so they should be used to check understanding rather than for major grades.
  • Add additional context: Fill in the Blank, Matching, and Dropdowns.
    • These question types can still be answered by GenAI, but adding specific, course-based prompts or applied scenarios can make them more effective.
  • Suggested for more in-depth assessment: Essay, File Upload
    • These question types ask students to explain their thinking or apply knowledge, making them more useful for evaluating student learning.

Creating Classic Quiz Questions

  1. Go to MSU Denver’s Faculty and Staff Hub.
  2. Click Quick Links on the top right of the page.
  3. Click Canvas from the menu options that appear.
  4. Log in to your Canvas Account.
  5. Select the Course you’d like to work in.
  6. Click Modules on the course navigation menu to the left.
  7. Scroll to the Module that contains your quiz.
  8. Click the Name of the quiz you wish to edit.
  9. Click Edit on the top right.
  10. Click the Questions tab at the top of the page.
  11. Click + New Question at the bottom.

Refer to the Create and Edit Classic Quizzes tutorial for more information on creating a Classic Quiz.

Types of Classic Quiz Questions

Click the Drop-Down Menu next to the question title.

Multiple Choice

Use Multiple Choice for quick knowledge checks; best for formative use.

  1. Select Multiple Choice from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Question in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Scroll to the Answers Section below the question.
  4. Enter Answer Options in the possible answer fields.
    1. Note: To add more possible answers, click Add Another Answer at the bottom right.
  5. Click the green arrow for the Correct Answer to the left of the answer.
    1. Note: This will only show up when your mouse is hovering over the answer.
  6. Click Update Question at the bottom.

True or False

Use True or False for simple concept checks; best for formative use.

  1. Select True or False from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Question in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Click the green arrow for the Correct Answer to the left of the answer.
    1. Note: This will only show up when your mouse is hovering over the answer.
  4. Click Update Question at the bottom.

Fill in the Blank

Use Fill in the Blank to allow students to generate answers instead of selecting them.

  1. Select Fill in the Blank from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Question in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Scroll to the Answers Section below the question.
  4. Enter all Acceptable Answers in the possible answer fields.
    1. Note: To add more possible answers, click Add Another Answer at the bottom right.
  5. Click Update Question at the bottom of the page.

Note: Add multiple correct answers to account for variations in wording.

Fill in Multiple Blanks

Use Fill in Multiple Blanks for multi-part questions that assess related concepts.

  1. Select Fill in Multiple Blanks from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Question with Bracketed Blanks in the Rich Content Editor.
    1. For example: The capital of Colorado is [city], and it is located in [region].
  3. Scroll to the Answers Section below the question.
  4. Select A Blank from the Drop-Down Menu in the Answers section.
  5. Enter all Acceptable Answers in the possible answer fields
    1. Note: To add more possible answers, click Add Another Answer at the bottom right.
  6. Repeat For Each Blank in the question.
  7. Click Update Question at the bottom.

Multiple Answers

Use Multiple Answers to assess deeper understanding when more than one answer is correct.

  1. Select Multiple Answers from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Question in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Scroll to the Answers Section below the question.
  4. Enter Answer Options in the possible answer fields.
  5. Click Green Arrows for All Correct Answers to the left of each correct answer.
  6. Click Update Question at the bottom of the page.

Multiple Dropdowns

Use Multiple Dropdowns to guide student responses while still assessing multiple parts of a concept.

  1. Select Multiple Dropdowns from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. TypeYour Question with Bracketed Blanks in the Rich Content Editor.
    1. For example:  Roses are [color1], and violets are [color2].
  3. Scroll to the Answers Section below the question.
  4. Select A Blank from the Drop-Down Menu in the Answers section.
  5. Enter all Answer Options in the possible answer fields.
    1. Note: To add more possible answers, click Add Another Answer on the bottom left.
  6. Click the green arrow for the Correct Answer to the left of the correct option.
    1. Note: This will only show up when your mouse is hovering over the answer.
  7. Repeat For Each Blank in the question.
  8. Click Update Question at the bottom.

Matching

Use Matching to assess relationships between paired items, such as terms and definitions.

  1. Select Matching from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Question in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Scroll to the Answers Section below the question.
  4. Enter Prompts in the left column.
  5. Enter Matches in the right column.
  6. Add Additional Pairs using the option at the bottom of the section.
  7. Click Update Question at the bottom.

Numerical Answer

Use Numerical Answer for math or calculation-based questions with defined correct ranges.

  1. Select Numerical Answer from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Question in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Scroll to the Answers Section below the question.
  4. Select Answer Type (Exact, Range, or Precision) in the Answers section.
  5. Enter the required values in the fields provided.
    1. For an Exact Answer, enter the Correct Answer and Margin of Error.
    2. For an Answer Within a Range, input the First and Last Number of the range.
    3. For a Precise answer, input the Correct Answer and the Degree of Precision.
  6. Click Update Question at the bottom.

Formula Question

Use Formula Questions to ask questions involving formulas and mathematical equations.

Example: Solve for x: 5[x] = 20[y]

  1. Select Formula Question from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Question with Variables in the Rich Content Editor, using brackets to define variables (e.g., 5[x] = 20[y]).
  3. Scroll to the Answers Section below the question.
  4. Define Variables in the Variable Definitions area.
  5. Enter Formulas in the Formula Definitions area.
  6. Click Update Question at the bottom.

Essay Question

Use Essay Questions to assess critical thinking and written explanations. Students will be given a blank text box to input their answers.

  1. Select Essay Question from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Prompt in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Click Update Question at the bottom of the page.

Note: Essay questions require manual grading.

File Upload Question

Use File Upload when students need to submit documents or other files.

  1. Select File Upload Question from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Prompt in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Click Update Question at the bottom of the page.

Note: Students will upload a file as their response.

Text (No Question)

Use Text (no question) to provide instructions or organize sections within a quiz.

  1. Select Text (no question) from the Question Type drop-down menu.
  2. Type Your Content in the Rich Content Editor at the top of the page.
  3. Click Update Question at the bottom of the page.

Preview Quiz in Student View

Student View helps identify unclear instructions and accessibility issues before students take the quiz. Your quiz must be published for student view to work.

  1. Click Student View in the top right of the course homepage.
  2. Click Quizzes in the course navigation menu on the left.
  3. Select Your Quiz.
  4. Review Each Question Type as a student.
  5. Click Submit Quiz at the bottom of the page.

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