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Turn your notes into Moodle quiz questions ready to import

Learn how GIFT, Aiken, Cloze and Moodle XML differ, then generate multiple-choice, true/false or open questions with explanations from your own PDFs, slides or notes.

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How the Moodle quiz question format affects your import

Before you import anything, the Moodle quiz question format you choose decides what your questions can contain. GIFT is plain text and supports feedback on each answer, Aiken is the simplest layout but has no feedback field, and Cloze places blanks inside a passage.

  • GIFT: an equals sign marks a correct answer, a tilde marks a wrong one, and {T} or {F} handles true/false.
  • Aiken: options labeled A. to D., then an ANSWER: line; multiple-choice only.
  • Cloze: embedded answers such as {1:MULTICHOICE:...} placed inside a paragraph.
  • Moodle XML: full control over feedback, grades and question categories, exportable on Pro.
Example Moodle quiz question format checks (GIFT, Aiken, Cloze)
In GIFT format, which character marks a correct multiple-choice answer?An equals sign (=). Moodle reads answers prefixed with = as correct, while ~ marks incorrect options.
Write a GIFT true/false question for the statement: Water boils at 100 °C at sea level.::Boiling point::Water boils at 100 °C at sea level.{T} The {T} marks the statement as true, and the text between the double colons names the question.
What line must end an Aiken question, and what does it contain?An ANSWER: line such as ANSWER: B, giving the letter of the correct option. Moodle uses it to set the key, so it must match one of the lettered options.
Which Moodle question type uses codes like {1:MULTICHOICE:...} placed inside a paragraph?Embedded answers (Cloze). Each code creates a blank inside the passage, and the answer options are listed within the braces.
Why do explanations disappear when an Aiken file is imported?Aiken has no feedback field, so the import only carries the question, options and answer letter. Use GIFT or Moodle XML if feedback must reach students.
Generate the full set

Multiple-choice, true/false and open

Generate each question type from your own PDFs, slides, DOCX files or notes, with an explanation attached to every answer.

Moodle XML export on Pro

Pro includes Moodle XML and QTI 2.1 export, so questions can be imported into a Moodle quiz bank.

Works from photos too

Upload a photo of a page and text recognition reads it before the questions are written.

How it works

Upload your material

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

Choose question types

Pick multiple-choice, true/false or open questions and review each one before you use it.

Export in the format you need

Free plans study in the browser; Pro exports Moodle XML and QTI 2.1.

Most import errors come from small syntax problems: a missing answer marker, a stray brace, or an Aiken file with no ANSWER line. Checking one question in a test course before importing the full set saves time.

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Frequently asked questions

Which Moodle quiz question format should I use for multiple-choice questions?

GIFT is the better choice when you want explanations on each answer, since Aiken has no feedback field. Aiken works well for plain multiple-choice banks where feedback is not needed.

How do I check a Moodle import file before uploading it?

Open it in a plain text editor and confirm every question has its answer marker, with no stray braces or missing lines. Then import it into a test course first so errors show up before students see them.

Can I export Moodle XML on the free plan?

No. The free plan lets you study in the browser without exports; Moodle XML and QTI 2.1 export are included in Pro at $14.99/month.

Does DeckOwl accept my lecture slides and PDFs?

Yes. Upload PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text or photos of pages, and the quiz questions are written from that material with explanations.

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