Create a Quiz in Google Forms: Step-by-Step (Free, Auto-Graded)
Google Forms is the easiest free way to run a graded quiz — no question caps, no paywall, and you can turn on auto-grading with an answer key in two clicks. This guide builds a quiz from a blank form: choosing question types, setting points, releasing grades, and sharing. If your questions already exist in a document, spreadsheet, or PDF, skip the typing and import them instead, answer key included.
Step 1 — Start a blank form and make it a quiz
Open Google Forms and choose Blank. Immediately open Settings > Quizzes and turn on Make this a quiz. This unlocks the answer key and point fields on every question. Give the form a clear title.
Step 2 — Add and organize questions
Click + to add items. One question per item keeps scoring clean. Use section breaks to group topics (units, chapters) so a longer quiz feels shorter to take.
| Question type | Auto-graded? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice | Yes | Single-answer pick |
| Checkboxes | Yes (with "select all") | Multi-correct answers |
| Dropdown | Yes | Long lists, one answer |
| Short answer / Paragraph | No (manual) | Free response |
| Linear scale / Grid | Partial | Ratings and matrices |
Step 3 — Set the answer key and points
On each graded question, click Answer Key, pick the correct option(s), and enter a point value. The total points is summed automatically. For wrong answers you can add answer feedback that shows after submission.
Step 4 — Choose how grades are released
Still under Settings > Quizzes, decide whether respondents see their score, correct answers, and point values immediately, or only later. For practice quizzes, instant feedback is motivating; for graded exams, release after the window closes.
Step 5 — Share and collect
Click Send for a link, embed, or email. To keep it fair, leave the default (no email collected) and avoid requiring sign-in for anonymous practice; require sign-in only when you need to tie a score to a person. Responses and scores land in a linked Google Sheet.
Step 6 — Review results
Open the Responses tab for a grade summary and per-question breakdown, or open the linked Sheet to filter by score. Export to CSV or Excel for your gradebook.
Import questions instead of typing
If your quiz already exists as a file, the slowest part is re-entering every item and re-marking the key. Reshape the document, spreadsheet, or PDF into the fixed columns Forms reads — question, options, correct answer, points — and each row becomes a graded Form question with your original wording and key intact. No AI rewrites them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Forms free for quizzes?
Yes. Google Forms is free with any Google account. The quiz features — answer key, auto-grading, and points — are included at no cost and there is no limit on questions or responses.
How do I make a quiz auto-graded?
Open Settings, enable 'Make this a quiz', then for each question add the correct answer and a point value under the Answer Key. Submissions are scored automatically and respondents can see their grade immediately if you allow it.
What question types work in a graded quiz?
Multiple choice, checkboxes, and dropdown are auto-graded against the answer key. Short answer and paragraph require manual review. Linear scale and grids are also supported but need manual scoring if the key is open-ended.
Can I import questions I already have instead of typing them?
Yes. If your quiz already lives in a Word document, Excel sheet, PDF, or plain list, convert it into Form fields through a fixed-column spreadsheet bridge instead of retyping every item by hand. The answer key travels with it.
Can I set a time limit on a Google Forms quiz?
Google Forms has no built-in countdown timer. The common workaround is a third-party timer add-on or simply setting a deadline by sharing the link only during the quiz window.
Build your quiz faster
Start from a blank form, or if your questions already exist somewhere, carry them in as-is — answer key and points included — instead of retyping. Either way, you get a free, auto-graded Google Forms quiz in minutes.
Import your questions →