How to Create a Timed Quiz

In this article, we’ll show you how to create timed quizzes and tests using iSpring Suite, a powerful, yet easy-to-use timed quiz maker.

What Is a Timed Quiz?

A timed quiz is a quiz with a built-in countdown timer for each question. This type of assessment can be applied to any learning assignment, from short knowledge tests to classic quizzes and final exams. 

Here’s an example of a timed math quiz that you can create with iSpring Suite.

To learn how to create a timed quiz, watch the video tutorial or continue reading if you prefer a text format.

Step 1. Install iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite allows you to create professional eLearning quizzes without the help of instructional designers or programmers. This tool has a free 14-day trial. During the trial period, you can create an unlimited number of quizzes and use all of the tool’s capabilities to the fullest. Just download iSpring Suite and install it.

Step 2. Create a Quiz

Open the app, click on Quizzes in the Quick Start menu, select Create Graded Quiz and click on Graded Quiz. 

You can create graded quizzes and surveys in iSpring Suite. Let’s select Graded Quiz for example

 

Step 3. Choose a Question Type

There are 14 types of questions in iSpring Suite. To select the needed type click the Question tab.

Step 4. Add a Question Text

As an example, we chose the Multiple Choice configuration. Enter a text in the question field and add answer options in Choices. Mark the correct answer and leave incorrect answers unmarked. Add more questions the same way.

Step 5. Set a Timer

In iSpring Suite, there are three ways to set a quiz timer.

Set the same time for all questions

If questions in your quiz are of a more or less equal difficulty, you can set the same time limit for each of them. Click on Properties on the toolbar:

And select the Question Properties tab. 

Tick Limit time to answer the question and set a time limit. To apply the settings, click on Save. Now, your learners will see a timer warning that will show them the end time for each unanswered question in real-time.

Note: The time limit will only be applied to new questions.

Set custom time limits for quiz questions

In some quizzes, questions vary greatly in difficulty. For example, to make calculations or answer an essay question and decide whether a statement is true or false requires a different amount of time. In iSpring Suite, you can set a custom time limit for each question.

Select the question and, in the Slide Options tab, tick Limit time to answer the question. Set the number of minutes the user will have to answer.

Set a general time limit

If you don’t need to limit questions separately, you can set an overall time limit for your quiz. 

Click on Properties. In the Main Properties tab, tick Time to complete the quiz and specify a time limit. To apply the settings, click on Save.

Step 6. Publish Your Quiz

You can choose between several ways to publish the quiz, depending on your requirements. If you want to publish your test to a website or a blog, or you conduct distance learning, the HTML5 output is the best option.

First, click the Publish button on the toolbar.

In the My Computer tab, add the name of the project and its location and click on Publish.

There are also other publishing destination options:

• LMS: choose this tab if you want to upload your quiz to a learning management system. iSpring supports SCORM, xAPI (Tin Can), AICC, and cmi5 eLearning formats.
• iSpring Learn: here you can publish your quiz directly to your iSpring Learn LMS account, set a due date for completing the quiz that will automatically display in your learners’ Microsoft Outlook calendar.
• Microsoft Word: choose this tab if you need a test in a printable format.

Some Extra Options to Enhance Your Quiz

There can be different reasons for creating a timed quiz. Perhaps, the most likely are the following:

• To make quizzes cheat proof
• To make sure the assessment module doesn’t take too long

The 6-step guide presented above will help you reach these objectives. However, it’s also worth mentioning that there are other aspects that need to be considered if you want your quiz to be truly effective. Here’s a list of some extra steps you might want to take:

Make your quiz “more cheat proof”

Apart from adding a countdown timer, you can also prevent students from cheating by shuffling answers in iSpring Suite. This way, learners will see answers in a different order and thus won’t be able to use a list of correct answers if shared by their groupmates.

Make your timed quiz more informative

The main goal of education is sharing knowledge. So, if a student provides an incorrect answer, you can give them feedback so they remember the accurate information and will fare better in additional attempts to pass the test.

Make assessments more individualized

Students differ. One might know the topic thoroughly, while another may simply remember one or two facts. To get a deeper insight into their actual knowledge, you can set branching scenarios by creating a variety of questions that develop according to learners’ quiz responses. For example, if a student answers A, they will then be given question B. If they answer C, they will be given question D, and so forth – each learner gets a unique question that addresses their individual need for knowledge assessment.

Make the assessment process more engaging

Visual design can play an important role in making quizzes more engaging. With iSpring Suite, you can set a background image, font, size, and color changes, add your organization’s logo, and more, according to your preferences. Preview your quiz before publishing to check whether your learners will see the quiz exactly as you want them to.

As you can see, building quizzes can be quite simple, even if you’re just starting out as an online trainer. People with no instructional design experience won’t face any technical issues if they use the right tool. The ready-made timed tests will adapt to any screen size, so learners can even take them from mobile devices and tablets – they just need an internet connection.

You too can create quizzes with a timer using iSpring Suite. Just download a free trial and give it a try.