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Write Canvas quiz questions with answer keys you can trust

Upload your PDFs, slides or notes and get questions with one keyed answer per item, plus an explanation you can check against your source.

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Why answer keys matter more than the number of questions

A Canvas quiz only measures learning when its answer key is accurate. If several options are marked correct by mistake, or the key contradicts the lecture, students learn the wrong thing and the score means little. DeckOwl builds each question from the text you upload, so every keyed answer traces back to a sentence in your own material.

Mark exactly one key in single-answer multiple-choice items.
Switch to the Multiple Answers type when several options are correct.
Check every explanation against your source before publishing.
Avoid absolute wording in true/false questions that gives the answer away.

Example quiz items for checking an answer key

In Canvas, which question type lets a student select more than one correct option?Multiple Answers, where the student must select every correct choice. A single-answer question allows only one keyed option.

Why should a true/false item avoid words like always or never?Absolute words are usually false, so students can guess correctly without understanding. Qualifiers make the item test real knowledge.

What is a distractor in a multiple-choice question?A plausible wrong option based on a common misconception. It should be clearly incorrect to a student who understands the topic.

Should every option in a multiple-choice question be correct?No. If every option is correct, the question cannot separate students who know the material from those who do not.

What should an answer explanation do?State why the keyed answer is right and, where useful, explain why a common distractor is wrong.

Generate the full set

One keyed answer per question

Multiple-choice items get one correct option and distractors that reflect common misconceptions.

Explanations for every key

Each answer includes a sentence on why it is right, so you can verify it against the material.

QTI and Moodle XML export

QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML export are on the Pro plan for importing questions into a learning platform.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text notes or a photo of a page.

Choose the question type

Pick multiple choice, true/false or short answer, and set how many questions you need.

Review the answer key

Check each keyed answer against your source before you export or share the quiz.

Good keys follow a few habits. Use one correct option in single-answer questions, and use the Multiple Answers type in Canvas when more than one choice is right. Write distractors that match real mistakes, avoid absolute words like always or never in true/false items, and make sure each explanation states why the keyed answer holds.

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Frequently asked questions

How many answer choices should a multiple-choice quiz question have?

Four is a common choice, with one clearly correct answer and three plausible distractors. Distractors should reflect real mistakes, not obviously silly options.

Can a quiz question have more than one correct answer?

Yes. Canvas offers a Multiple Answers question type for items where several choices are right, and the student must select all of the correct ones.

Can I import a DeckOwl quiz into Canvas?

Canvas accepts QTI packages, and DeckOwl exports QTI 2.1 on the Pro plan at $14.99 per month. Check your Canvas import options before uploading.

Is there a free plan for making quiz questions?

Yes. The Free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser, with no credit card needed to start. Exports are paid features.

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