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Download Canvas quiz submissions and turn them into practice

Pull the attempt data you need from Canvas for grading, then use your own course notes to build practice quizzes with explanations.

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What to do with downloaded quiz results

Most people who need to download Canvas quiz submissions are instructors reviewing scores, checking which questions caused trouble, or preparing a regrade. A spreadsheet of attempts shows who answered what, but it does not explain why a question was hard.

Check whether the file holds one row per attempt or one per student before you calculate anything.
Decide in advance whether the highest or latest attempt counts, and apply that rule to every student.
Store exported submission files securely, since they contain student names and grades.
Use missed questions as the starting point for new practice material.

Example Canvas quiz review questions for instructors

What is the difference between a quiz submission and a quiz score?A submission is one student's attempt with their answers and timestamps, while the score is the points that attempt earned. Scores can change after a manual regrade, so check both.

Why check the attempt count before downloading quiz results?Canvas can allow multiple attempts, so a file may hold several rows for one student. Decide which attempt counts before you total anything, or the averages will be wrong.

What should you do with short-answer responses before bulk grading?Read a sample of responses first and refine the rubric, because strong answers reveal the key points a complete answer should include.

Why should a downloaded submission file be stored securely?It contains student names and grades, which are personal education records. Store the file only where your institution's privacy policy allows.

What does a CSV file offer that a PDF does not?A CSV stores data in rows and columns, so you can sort, filter and calculate with it in a spreadsheet. A PDF is better for reading but harder to analyze.

Generate the full set

Build from your own material

Upload a PDF, slide deck, DOCX or set of notes and get multiple-choice, true/false or open questions with explanations.

Explanations for every answer

Each question includes a short explanation, so students learn why an answer is right or wrong, not just whether it was.

Export when you need to

Plus exports PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV. Pro adds QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML for course platforms.

How it works

Download your Canvas data

Export the quiz submissions or statistics from your Canvas course using the download option your version of Canvas provides.

Upload your course notes

Add the lecture slides, readings or notes that the quiz covered. DeckOwl does not connect to Canvas, so the source is your own file.

Review and export

Check the generated questions, adjust any you want to change, then study in the browser or export to the format you need.

Once you have the file, the useful next step is to look at questions that many students missed. Those topics often need a second pass with fresh practice questions written from the same lecture material, rather than a rerun of the same quiz.

DeckOwl does not download anything from Canvas. It turns the notes, slides or PDFs you already have into practice questions with explanations, so the review you do after grading can be specific to what the class struggled with.

Explore related topics

Download Canvas Quiz Questions

Generate quiz questions from your own notes and export them for your course.

Download Canvas Quiz Responses

Where to download Canvas quiz responses, and how to turn your notes into practice quizzes.

Canvas Quiz Results: Download and Review

Canvas keeps your scores. DeckOwl builds practice quizzes from your notes, with explanations.

Canvas Quiz Downloads: Make Your Own

Can't get the Canvas quiz file? Make practice quizzes from your own notes or PDFs.

Canvas New Quizzes Results Download

Find Canvas New Quizzes results, or build a practice quiz from your own notes.

Build a practice quiz from your notes

Practice quiz with explanations from your own PDFs, slides or notes.

Canvas Quiz Unpublish Guide

Checks before unpublishing a Canvas quiz with submissions, and a replacement option.

Make a Printable Quiz PDF From Notes

Build a custom quiz from your own notes or slides and export it as a PDF on Plus.

Frequently asked questions

How do I download quiz submissions from Canvas?

Open the quiz in your Canvas course and look for the statistics, submissions or export option. Menu names vary by Canvas version, so check your institution's Canvas help guide if you cannot find it.

Which attempt should I count when a student retakes a Canvas quiz?

Use the rule in your course policy, which is usually the highest score or the latest attempt. Write it down before grading so every student is treated the same way.

Can DeckOwl pull quiz submissions directly from Canvas?

No. DeckOwl does not connect to Canvas, so you upload your own PDFs, slides or notes and get a quiz you can study or export.

Which DeckOwl exports could work with Canvas?

QTI 2.1 export is included in the Pro plan, and Plus exports PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV. Check that your Canvas import accepts the QTI version before you rely on it.

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