How to create an online test for your students.

Decide what the test is for

A chapter test, a unit test, a mock exam, and an entrance test all need different designs. Write down the purpose, the topics covered, roughly how many questions you need, and how long students should have. This short plan keeps the test focused and stops it growing longer than necessary, which is one of the most common problems with student tests.

Cover topics in proportion

List the topics the test covers and decide how many questions each deserves, based on how much teaching time it received and how important it is. Tagging questions by chapter or topic in the Question Bank makes this easy to check. Tests that cover topics unevenly, often because some topics are easier to write questions for, give a misleading picture of learning.

Mix difficulty deliberately

A good student test starts with a few accessible questions so everyone gets going, has a solid core of medium questions, and includes a few harder questions that stretch stronger students. Tag difficulty as you save questions, so you can check the balance of a test before sharing it.

Tests that are too hard discourage students; tests that are too easy do not show who has really understood.

Choose formats for the skills

Use single choice and fill-in-the-blank for facts and key terms, multiple choice where more than one option is correct, and one or two free text questions where you need students to explain reasoning. Remember that fill-in-the-blank grades on an exact match, so keep expected answers short and clear.

Set conditions for a fair test

For a graded test, allow one attempt, set a realistic time limit, shuffle question order so neighbouring students see different sequences, and require OTP verification so each result is tied to a real student email. Tell students these rules in advance so the conditions feel fair rather than surprising.

Write clear instructions

Use the quiz description to explain everything students need: number of questions, time limit, that answers submit automatically when time runs out, and whether they can attempt it once or more. Clear instructions prevent most student complaints and reduce anxiety, especially for students taking their first online test.

Test the test

Take the test yourself on a phone and a computer before sharing it. Check that images display clearly, that every correct answer is right, and that the timer behaves as expected. If possible, ask a colleague to take it too, since a fresh reader often spots ambiguous wording you missed.

Share and supervise

Share the link in your class group or show the QR code in class. For tests taken in class, watch the quiz detail view to see submissions arrive. For tests at home, set a clear deadline and follow up with students who have not attempted it by then.

Review and improve

After the test, check Question Performance for questions that behaved unexpectedly, fix any errors, and bookmark weak topics into Revision for a later re-test. Save good questions with accurate tags, so next year's version of the test is faster to build and more reliable.

Example: a Class 10 unit test

A science teacher builds a thirty-question unit test covering three chapters, ten questions each, tagged and balanced across difficulty. She sets forty-five minutes, shuffles questions, allows one attempt, and requires OTP verification. The description explains the timer and automatic submission.

Frequently asked questions

What if a student's connection drops? Plan a clear policy in advance, such as allowing a supervised retake on a copy of the test. What if a student has no device? Export the offline exam paper. Can students see answers afterwards? Share them in your own way once everyone has finished.