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Write quiz questions in the Canvas formats you need, from your own notes

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

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How the question types map to what you teach

Most instructors pick a Canvas quiz question types mix based on the skill being tested: recognition, recall or reasoning. Multiple-choice and true/false work well for checking definitions and facts quickly, while fill-in-the-blank and open answers test whether a student can produce the term or explain a process.

Match the question type to the skill: recognition for facts, recall for terms, reasoning for processes.
Keep one correct answer per multiple-choice item and make distractors plausible.
Write explanations that say why the right answer works, not only what it is.
Check each generated question against your source before publishing it to students.

Example Canvas quiz questions by type

Which question type asks students to put process steps into the correct sequence?Ordering, because students arrange items in order, which tests understanding of how a process unfolds.

Which question type lets a student select more than one correct option?Multiple answers, because it tests recognition of several correct facts at once rather than a single best choice.

Which question type is best for calculations where the student enters a number?Numerical, because it checks a computed result such as a dosage or unit conversion, with an allowed tolerance.

Which question type is best for testing recall of an exact term?Fill in the blank, because the student must produce the word itself rather than recognize it among options.

Which question type suits answers that need manual grading?Essay or short answer, because it accepts free-form writing that depends on reasoning rather than one fixed key.

Generate the full set

Multiple-choice and true/false

Generate single-answer and true/false questions, each with an explanation of why the correct option is right.

Open questions

Get short-answer prompts that test reasoning, with model answers you can check against student responses.

Exports for your LMS

Pro exports QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML, and Plus exports PDF and DOCX for printing or editing.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text file or photos of pages.

Choose question types

Pick multiple-choice, true/false or open questions, and set how many you want.

Review and export

Check each question and explanation, then study in the browser or export the set.

DeckOwl reads your source material and writes questions in those same categories, so you start from content that already matches your lecture or reading. Each item includes an explanation, which helps students learn from wrong answers instead of only seeing a score.

Review every question before it goes to students. Generated items can be too easy, too vague or occasionally wrong, so check the key and adjust wording to fit your course.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I choose which question type to use for a quiz?

Start with the skill you want to measure. Recognition items like multiple-choice or true/false suit facts and definitions, while open questions suit explanations and multi-step reasoning.

How many questions should a quiz include for each type?

A mix of five to ten questions is common for a short check, with more open questions if you want to test reasoning. Adjust the count to match your time limit and grading load.

Are exports included in the free plan?

No. The free plan lets you study in the browser without exports, while Plus adds PDF and DOCX export and Pro adds QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML export.

Will QTI 2.1 files import directly into Canvas?

Pro includes QTI 2.1 export, but import support depends on your LMS and its settings. Test a small file in your course before relying on it for graded quizzes.

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