How do I convert an MS Word test to a Canvas question bank?
You will learn two methods on how you can convert your pre-existing quiz/test/exam in a Microsoft Word document into a question bank (or Quiz) you can add to a Quiz in your course in Canvas.
You will learn how to format your existing (or new) exam/test/quiz in Microsoft Word, so that it will easily import into Respondus where you can then upload it to your course in Canvas.
This guide will show you how to import Multiple Choice questions (images embedded in the Word document will port into Respondus without you needing to do anything other than follow these steps.
For a detailed description for other question types (T/F, fill-in-the-blank, essay, etc.) and options (title, feedback, etc.) see the Respondus PDF guide starting on page 41.
1. Number each question.
Use a number followed by a "." or a ")".
Example: 3)
Example: 3.
2. All answers must begin with a letter followed by a "." or ")".
It doesn't matter whether you use small or capital letters.
Example: b.
Example: B)
3. By default the correct answer is always "a".
If you do not mark a correct answer, then the first answer is always considered to be the correct answer.
In order to mark a different answer as the correct answer, use an "*" before the letter with no space.
Example:
a. Wrong answer
*b. Correct answer
c. Wrong answer
d. Wrong answer
So, a set of questions might look like this.
Remember, it doesn't matter if I use small letters or large, A ")" or a ".". Also, "A" is always the correct answer unless a different answer is marked with an "*".
1. After formatting your Word document, open Respondus and select Import Questions from the Start menu.
2. Select Microsoft Word 2007 (DOCX) for Type of file.
After clicking the Import Questions button the Import Questions Window appears. This form has several fields of data that must be completed. In the Import Questions window specify the Type of file. For this example, select Microsoft Word 2007 (DOCX).
3. Use the Browse button to select the DOCX file where your questions are located.
4. Select Create a new document.
You can specify whether the questions should be appended to the currently open file or whether to create an entirely new file in which to save the imported questions. Each question being imported will have a "title". If you don’t specify a title for each question in the text file, Respondus will automatically use the first 20 characters of the question wording as the question title. Alternatively, titles can be based on a specific string of text which will then be followed by consecutive numbering starting with 001.
5. Click the Preview button.
This will enable the user to review the file being imported for errors. If any are reported, return to the original Word file and correct the errors. Then, redo the process shown in this guide.
6. Click Finish to import the questions from the MS Word document.
6. The questions display in the Question List section.
Once the import process finishes, the Edit view opens. This window allows you to edit, view, and delete questions from the file created or appended to during the import process. All imported questions are shown at the bottom of the page in the Question List.
7. Click on a magnifying glass icon to view a question.
This will open the item in a preview window.
Article Summary
You have now imported a Microsoft Word-based quiz/exam to your course in Canvas. Next, you should create a Quiz and link the quiz and this question bank.