Canvas

Canvas Practice Quizzes: How to Use Them to Raise Your Grades

Practice quizzes in Canvas do not count toward your grade, which makes them the best study tool in your course. Here is how to use them properly.

By the TrustStudy team · Updated · 3 min read

Practice quizzes are the most underused feature in Canvas. They do not affect your grade, so students skip them. That is exactly why they are valuable: you can make mistakes for free and learn from them.

What a practice quiz is

In Classic Quizzes, teachers can choose the quiz type Practice Quiz, which is not counted in the gradebook. In New Quizzes, teachers can create ungraded quizzes for the same purpose. Practice quizzes often mirror the format and difficulty of graded quizzes.

How to use one properly

1. Take it cold

Close your notes and answer every question. This shows what you actually know.

2. Mark your guesses

Use the flag feature or a note on paper for answers you were unsure about. A correct guess is still a gap.

3. Check answer by answer

After committing to an answer, check it on the results page, in your notes or with an AI tool. TrustStudy shows the answer in the corner of the page when you highlight a question and press Alt + X. On New Quizzes, use Screenshot mode.

4. Explain every mistake

Write one sentence explaining why the correct answer is right. If you cannot, the topic needs more work.

5. Retake it later

If multiple attempts are allowed, retake the quiz two or three days later without notes. If questions come from an item bank, you will get different questions, which is even better.

Turning practice into a habit

  • Do each practice quiz within two days of it being posted.
  • Keep a running mistakes list for the course.
  • Review that list before every graded quiz and exam.

No practice quiz? Make your own

Ask an AI to generate questions from the module pages, or create your own quiz in a tool like Google Forms. See create a practice quiz in Google Forms.

Practice versus graded

Learn more

See how to study for Canvas quizzes with AI and how to review your Canvas quiz mistakes.

Study with TrustStudy

Try the question yourself, then highlight it and press Alt + X to check your answer right on the page. No tabs, no copy-paste. Start with 20 free credits.

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Frequently asked questions

Do Canvas practice quizzes count toward my grade?

No. In Classic Quizzes, a "Practice Quiz" type is not included in the gradebook. Teachers may also create ungraded quizzes in New Quizzes for practice.

Can I retake a Canvas practice quiz?

Often yes, if the teacher allows multiple attempts. Check the attempts allowed on the quiz page.

Should I use notes on a practice quiz?

Do it without notes first to see what you really know, then use notes and AI to review your mistakes.

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