Exams and quizzes

If you are experiencing any issues with your quiz or exam, check out our Frequently asked questions guide.

Online quizzes and exams in Canvas

For non-proctored online exams, most courses use the in-built Canvas Quiz tool.

1. Navigate to your quiz or exam via the Assessment Overview button on the course home page or via the weekly Modules in the Course Navigation
2. Click the title of the quiz
3. To begin, click the Take the Quiz button
4. Follow the instructions provided. Quizzes will either have all the questions on one page, or each question will be shown one at a time.
5. Use the Sidebar to navigate the questions. Completed questions will be faded out, while unanswered questions will be bolded
6. For timed quizzes, the Timer shows the running time and counts down until the time expires. For untimed quizzes, the times shows the elapsed time
7. Depending on how your quiz is set up, you may be able to flag questions you want to return to by clicking the icon next to the question. The flag will appear in the sidebar to remind you to return to the question
8. Click Submit Quiz

For further information on completing exams using the Canvas quiz tool, see How do I take a quiz? (Canvas Guides).

If you start a quiz but do not submit it, Quizzes includes an auto-submit feature that will submit the quiz for you on the Available until quiz date. If a quiz does not include an Available until date, the quiz will auto-submit on the last day of the course.

Some courses may use a different Canvas quiz tool for non-proctored online exams called New Quizzes, which displays differently.

1. Navigate to your quiz or exam via the Assessment Overview button on the course home page or via the weekly Modules in the Course Navigation
2. Click the title of the quiz
3. Click Begin
4. Follow the instructions provided. Quizzes will either have all the questions on one page, or each question will be shown one at a time
5. To open the Question Navigator, click the Expand icon
6. The Timer is located in the centre top of your screen. It can be hidden with the Hide button
7. If enabled, click the Pin icon on the left to flag a question for later
8. Some questions include a Calculator icon, allowing you to open the on-screen calculator. Your course convenor may enable either a basic or a scientific calculator
9. Click Submit

For further information on completing exams using the New Quizzes tool in Canvas, see How do I take a quiz in New Quizzes? (Canvas Guides).

A list other helpful guides related to Canvas quizzes can be found at Quizzes (Canvas Guides).

Online proctored exams

For information on online proctored exams and ProctorU, see the ProctorU landing page.

In-person exams

For information on in-person exams, see In-person exams.

Information on applying for special consideration, deferred assessments and extensions can be found with our Frequently asked questions.