How do I create a self-selected timed final exam (Essay Questions)?
Instructors can create a Timed Canvas Quiz, which contains essay questions and allow students to choose to take the quiz within a limited period of time.
For instance, an instructor can create a 6 hour timed quiz but allow students to self-select when to take the quiz within a predetermined time frame.
The timed quiz can offer either "Essay" type questions or "File Upload" type questions. For information on how to create a File Upload quiz see: "How do I create a self-selected timed final exam (File Upload Questions)?"
For information on reviewing and grading a self-selected timed final exam (Essay Questions) quiz see: "How do I review and grade a self-selected timed final exam (Essay Questions)?"
Instructors can distribute the following link to their students, which contains directions on how to take a Canvas essay question or file upload quiz: "Student: How do I take a self-selected timed (Essay Question or File Upload) final exam?"
Go to the Canvas course site and Click Quizzes
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/901/original/4d1b453e-6bbb-4fa8-a694-c7fff061c391.png)
This displays the Canvas Quiz tool
Click Add (+) Quiz
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/903/original/7c955bf5-d0b3-4814-a0bd-177f80957b2c.png)
This displays the Canvas Quiz creation page.
Under the Details Tab, add a title for the Quiz and add directions
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/905/original/b03b729b-4cce-46ca-90dd-f16ccf52f87e.png)
Under Quiz Type, select Graded Quiz
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/907/original/ecfd374b-5d00-49ed-9901-184be060fce1.png)
Checkmark Time Limit and enter the number of minutes allowed for the quiz
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/909/original/18909bc4-4d18-4692-9808-21b46823af71.png)
Do not allow multiple attempts or allow students to see their quiz responses in feedback
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/911/original/176a783d-acf2-4c1d-aab1-367baf48b00a.png)
Assign the Quiz to everyone and add a Due Date, Available From Date and Until Date
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/913/original/79a99ccc-422a-40b8-9149-15299d8c92e6.png)
1 - This is the date/time that the students see as the date/time the Quiz is due
2 - This is the date/time that the quiz becomes available for students to take.
3 - This is the date/time, after which, no student can submit the quiz. (Usually, this is the same as the Due date/time)
Note:
-Once the student starts the quiz, they are limited by the time limit set for the quiz (the example above is 6 hours / 360 minutes).
-If the student dos not submit the quiz within the time limit, the quiz is automatically submitted when the time-limit expires.
Scroll back to the top of the page and click on the Questions Tab
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/915/original/3e10d0db-2fcc-4aee-b91d-59922b4db454.png)
This displays the question creation page.
Click Add (+) New Question
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/917/original/71e62232-6129-4939-be93-fb2d558a107b.png)
This displays the new question form
Number the Question, Add Point value for the Question and select "Essay Question"
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/919/original/efbfa9fc-4b9d-416f-b719-181ae1c7e65b.png)
Enter the Essay Question then click Update Question
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/921/original/02b9d822-37e4-44e6-9597-e488ab188119.png)
This saves the essay question for the quiz
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/008/095/923/original/c4713de7-8a7a-44fd-9f94-4dbe255efd21.png)
If you have addition essay questions, click Add (+) New Question and repeat the workflow for adding an essay question. When finished click Save & Publish.
This will publish the quiz. When the "Available From" date /time occurs, students will be able to access and take the quiz (limited by the time limit set for the quiz).