Quiz Maker

When to use it

Use this tool to write a multiple-choice quiz and take it right away, or print it as a worksheet. It works well for revision, classroom starters, homework, training sessions, family quiz nights and checking your own understanding of a topic.

How to use it

1. Choose a Quiz, or click New quiz and type a Quiz title.
2. Write the Questions in the box:
   • The first line is the question.
   • Each following line is an answer. Put * before the correct one.
   • A line starting with > is an explanation shown after answering.
   • Leave a blank line between questions.
3. Tick Shuffle questions and Shuffle answers if you want a different order each time.
4. Click Take the quiz, or Print worksheet for paper.
5. Use Save as file and Open file to keep and share quizzes.

Worked example

The sample quiz on the solar system starts like this:

Which planet is closest to the Sun?
*Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
> Mercury orbits about 58 million km from the Sun.

Take the quiz and choose Venus. The tool shows that Mercury was correct and displays the explanation. Click Next question to carry on. At the end, Your score shows how many you got right, and you can Take it again or Edit questions.

Writing good questions

• Make every wrong answer believable. Silly options make the quiz too easy.
• Keep answers a similar length. A much longer option often gives the answer away.
• Test one idea per question. It shows clearly what someone does or does not know.
• Use explanations. They turn a wrong answer into a learning moment.

Using it for revision

Turning your notes into questions is one of the best ways to revise. Write five questions after each lesson, then take the quiz a few days later. The questions you get wrong show exactly what to go over again.

Tips

• Shuffle answers for repeat practice. Learners cannot just remember that the answer was “the second one”.
• Save a file of each quiz. Your browser storage can be cleared, but a file keeps your work safe.
• Print for offline use. Worksheets are useful in class or as homework.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting the blank line between questions. Without it, the next question is read as an extra answer.
• *Marking two answers with . Each question must have exactly one correct answer, and the tool points out any question that has more.
• Writing too many options. Up to 8 answers are allowed per question, but 3 or 4 is usually best.
• Putting the * in the wrong place. It must be at the very start of the answer line.