Important: This is a single support article covering one aspect of Canvas New Quizzes. For more information about the tool, including support and training, visit our New Quizzes Hub.
Summary
In New Quizzes, instructors can assign point values to individual questions within a quiz in addition to specifying an overall score on the assignment details page. This feature allows for flexible grading but also introduces a unique aspect where the total points of individual questions might not match the overall quiz score listed in the assignment details.
This behavior is a feature, not a bug; it allows instructors to assign different weights to individual questions based on their complexity or importance, providing a more nuanced assessment of student performance.
Point Discrepancies
The Gradebook score is calculated by multiplying the percentage of quiz points earned by the overall points possible as specified in the assignment details. For instance, if a student achieves 20 out of 25 points (80%) on a quiz, which is set to be worth 20 points in the assignment details, their Gradebook score would be 80% of 20, equating to 16 points. This ensures transparency and consistency in grading, aligning students’ perceived scores with the grading framework established by the instructor.
The screenshot below shows the total number of points that are displayed in the Build page for this example. This total is a sum of the points assigned to each individual question, and it does not carry over to the gradebook score.
Alternately, the screenshot below shows the total number of points that are displayed in the quiz Details page for this example. This number may differ from the total points on the Build page, and this is the point value that will be associated with the assignment in the Canvas gradebook. Instructors are encouraged to review these two values before publishing a New Quiz, and make adjustments as necessary if it is desired that the two values match.
Finally, the screenshots below show the student view of the quiz Results page (points match the Build page total) and the Grades page (points match the Details page total). Though the point totals differ in these two views for the student, the percentage achieved (80%) is the same.
Benefits & Drawbacks
Instructors are encouraged to review the below before publishing a New Quiz, and make adjustments as necessary if it is desired that the two values match.
Benefits
- Flexibility in Weighting Questions: It allows instructors to assign different weights to individual questions based on their complexity or importance, providing a more nuanced assessment of student performance.
- Alignment with Learning Objectives: By tailoring the point values assigned to each question, instructors can create assessments that more accurately reflect the hierarchy of learning objectives within their curriculum.
- Improved Feedback: Instructors can fine-tune the evaluation process to assess students’ comprehension and mastery levels more accurately. Students receive more detailed feedback on their performance, helping them understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
Drawbacks
- Potential Misalignment: The total points of individual questions might not align with the overall quiz score in the assignment details, which can create confusion if not clearly communicated to students.
- Calculation Complexity: This feature adds a layer of complexity to grade calculations, requiring careful setup to ensure accurate final scores.
- Student Confusion: Without clear explanations, students might find it challenging to understand how their final scores are derived, potentially leading to misunderstandings about their performance.
By understanding and effectively utilizing this feature, instructors can create a more tailored and precise assessment experience, while also being mindful of the potential challenges it introduces.
Important Note on Imports
Using the Quiz Import function is a quick and easy way to migrate Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes, or to copy quizzes between courses. When importing a quiz into a Canvas course, it is imperative to select the Import existing quizzes as New Quizzes checkbox. Additionally, in cases where the import file already includes New Quizzes, it remains crucial to always select this checkbox as New Quizzes might not import correctly if it is not selected.
It is imperative to note that when migrating a Classic Quiz to a New Quiz using the import function, Canvas will automatically set the overall point value on the quiz Detail page to 1 Point. However, the points allocated to each question will remain consistent with the original point values assigned in the Classic Quiz format. After the quiz is migrated, it can be edited to adjust the total points as necessary.
