How do I import multiple choice questions from Word or another text editor into OnCourse?
Step-by-step guide
The Aiken format is a very simple way of creating multiple choice questions using a clear human-readable format in a text file.
Requirements:
- The question must be all on one line.
- Each answer must start with a single uppercase letter, followed by a period '.' or a bracket ')', then a space.
- The answer line must immediately follow, starting with "ANSWER: " (NOTE the space after the colon and all capital letters) and then giving the appropriate letter.
Important Notes:
You have to save the file in a text format. Importing as a Word document will not work.
- Non-ASCII characters like 'quotes' can cause import errors. To avoid this always save your text file in UTF-8 format (most text editors, even Word, will ask you).
- The answer letters (A,B,C etc.) and the word "ANSWER" must be capitalized as shown below, otherwise the import will fail.
Examples:
What is the correct answer to this question?
A. Is it this one?
B. Maybe this answer?
C. Possibly this one?
D. Must be this one!
ANSWER: D
What color is the sky?
A) Blue
B) Red
C) Green
D) Purple
E) Black
F) Orange
ANSWER: A
Saving in .TXT or UTF-8 File Formats:
- Complete the questions using Microsoft Word, following the directions above.
- In Word, choose File, Save As.
- In the “Save as type” drop down menu choose “Plain Text.”
- In the “File Conversion” pop-up box choose “Other encoding” and Unicode (UTF-8).
- Press OK.
Hints:
- To add these questions to a quiz, use the “+ from Question bank” option in the Add menu of the quiz. Directions can be found here: https://answers.fredonia.edu/x/KIA4.
Resources:
- Adding and configuring a Quiz: https://answers.fredonia.edu/x/HIA4.
- Importing Quiz questions: https://answers.fredonia.edu/x/KIA4.
- Extended testing time and other individual quiz modifications: https://answers.fredonia.edu/x/oIAg.
- Manually grading quiz questions: https://answers.fredonia.edu/x/KoA4.
- Deleting a quiz attempt: https://answers.fredonia.edu/x/IYA4.
Short URL to this page:
Related articles
Filter by label
There are no items with the selected labels at this time.