Google forms can be used to create a quiz that can be graded automatically in the spreadsheet using formulas. To save you time, these instructions are for a 20 question (or less) quiz using the template with the formulas already entered.
Self Graded Quizzes in Google
- Open up the following spreadsheet: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AuuREHWQtmebdHo1UjVINzRCaVIwVGhJb2c2YV9nNHc&hl=en
- Save a copy of the spreadsheet into your own Google account.
- Make a copy of the spreadsheet for a new quiz. Important so any changes on this quiz will not affect future quizzes! Open the spreadsheet and go to File – “Make a Copy.” Give the spreadsheet a new name
- In the new spreadsheet go to Form – Edit Form
- Do not remove the name or class period fields, as that will affect the formulas to grade the quizzes. You may edit the class periods field to represent just the classes you teach.
- Add your question items to the form. Remember spelling will count against the results, so choose wisely when making your question types.
- Make any changed to the theme
- Save your form.
- Open up your quiz and answer the questions correctly to create the answer key. Suggestion is to use Answer and Key as the first and last name fields.
- Submit your answers.
- Open the spreadsheet.
- On the “Answers” worksheet, select and copy row 2.
- Go to the “Test Answers” worksheet and paste the copied row into that worksheet’s Row 2.
- Fill in the number of questions the quiz contains into cell B8.
- Go to worksheet “Results.” If your quiz contains less than 20 questions, delete the extra question columns.
- Make sure everything is saved.
- Share the quiz link by directly linking to the quiz, or by embedding it into another webpage.
- TeacherWeb – Enhanced Text page in the html view
- Wiki – an html widget box
- Blog – into a post with the html view
To get grades:
- After students have taken the quiz, open your spreadsheet.
- Go to the “Results” worksheet. If needed, fill the formulas from Row 2 all the way down the worksheet.
- The averages should be displayed in column D. Check a few responses to make sure the formulas copied correctly.
To create a new quiz be sure to start from the original spreadsheet and not from a used quiz.
Download the directions here with screenshots: Google Forms – Self Graded Quizzes

























#1 by Karen on October 26, 2009 - 7:45 am
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I can’t figure out how to save a copy to my google docs. Can you help me? I exported as an Excel and brought it in but it loses the form.
#2 by Jimbo Lamb on January 19, 2010 - 3:22 pm
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If you haven’t figured it out yet, when you open the template, click on “File” –> “Make a copy…”
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#3 by Fara on September 23, 2012 - 9:16 pm
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I did it!!! Well, almost! I made a suvery for the teachers at my school and added it to my blog. I even resized it so it all fit just right! My husband took the suvery so I could see some results on the spreadsheet. I am anxious to see the teacher’s responses. Thanks for your help. You made this soooo easy!
#4 by Tim Hunt on June 29, 2010 - 4:11 am
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Very clever use of Google docs, but wouldn’t it just be easier to use a purpose-built tool like Moodle Quiz, another VLE, Stack, Question Mark, …
#5 by michael m on October 3, 2010 - 12:28 am
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Thanks for creating the template. Saved me time.
This is quite useful for me in 2nd grade where Moodle is overkill, and I don’t want to pay for anything fancier.
#6 by Endah on April 23, 2012 - 7:54 am
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This is a great idea, and definitely a usufel tutorial. What are your thoughts on grading quizzes when students don’t have computers to use all the time? Like you mentioned in the discussions with your colleagues, grading quizzes is a task that takes up a big chunk of teachers’ time. Any ideas on how to cut down on that time with paper-based quizzes?
#7 by Adam Taylor on October 21, 2010 - 9:07 pm
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Great post!! I plan to share it with lots of people if that is okay.
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#8 by Liz on October 4, 2011 - 9:45 am
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I cannot tell you how much time you have saved me. THANK YOU!! As a teacher who struggles to implement technology but really wants to – this is tremendously helpful! Thanks!
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#9 by Isaias on April 23, 2012 - 12:44 pm
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I have actually used Google Docs to caetre a quiz in class and had students fill out a survey afterward. The students really liked being able to type their answers to essay questions rather than write it out with a pencil and paper. Plus it makes it very easy to grade for me!
#10 by Sharon Ellner on November 10, 2011 - 9:48 pm
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I find that using the Flubaroo gadget is a much quicker way to do this with Google Forms. Have you tried it?
#11 by Michelle on August 22, 2012 - 2:23 pm
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Hello,
I haven’t quite figured out how to create the self-correcting form yet, but can I do it from a form that’s already been developed?