Canvas Quizzes with Multiple Attempts: How Scoring Works

When a Canvas quiz allows more than one attempt, the way your score is kept changes how you should use those attempts. Here is how it works in both quiz engines.

Scoring options

Teachers choose which score goes in the gradebook:

• Keep Highest: your best attempt counts. Extra attempts can only help.
• Keep Latest: your most recent attempt counts, even if it is lower.
• Keep Average: all attempts are averaged.

Look for "Score to keep" or similar in the quiz details. If it is not shown, ask before your second attempt.

Waiting periods

New Quizzes can require a waiting period between attempts, for example 24 hours. Use that time to review your mistakes, which is exactly why teachers add it.

Seeing results between attempts

Teachers may:

• Show your responses after each attempt.
• Show correct answers only after your last attempt or after a date.
• Show only your score.

This prevents students from simply copying correct answers into the next attempt.

Question banks

Many multi-attempt quizzes draw questions from a bank, so each attempt is different. That rewards understanding over memorising specific answers.

Using attempts to learn

1. Take attempt one seriously, without notes.
2. Review every mistake and write a one-line explanation.
3. Practise those topics with AI-generated questions.
4. Retake after a break.

Each attempt then becomes a round of retrieval practice. See how to review your Canvas quiz mistakes.

Accommodations

Teachers can grant extra attempts to individual students through moderation tools. If you have an accommodation, check it appears before starting.

Keep attempts honest

Learn more

See Canvas quiz timer explained and how to study for Canvas quizzes with AI. For practice between attempts, TrustStudy can check practice questions right on the page.