> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.timelygrader.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.timelygrader.ai/user-guides/user-guides-get-started-here/quizzes-guide.md).

# 3. Setting up your first Quiz

Bring a quiz across from your LMS, decide how it is graded, and map criteria to the written questions. Auto-graded questions stay with your LMS.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2F2fxvIUk6kO5NV6YbNqZ3%2Farticle-banner.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Only written responses come to TimelyGrader. Multiple choice and other auto-graded questions stay with your LMS, which has already scored them.
{% endhint %}

## Before you start

* Quizzes must be imported so make sure the quiz exists in your LMS.
* There are 'Essay' type questions or subjective questions within the specific quiz.
* You know whether one rubric should grade the whole quiz (or one essay question), or each written question will have its own criterion.

## Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Import the quiz

From Quizzes in the sidebar, import the quiz from your LMS. This will list all Quizzes that exist on your LMS Quiz page.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FYfbQWPWykTTXaRY4dnOk%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%2011.31.33%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=cc385450-33be-4c46-9200-679c40a0730d" alt="Select a Quiz to Import" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The first step in the setup process lists every question and shows which ones come to TimelyGrader and which ones are auto graded.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FbKFGgogSRbMYvBrhLdhQ%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%2011.32.38%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=b4bb8b62-01a9-4677-a880-033565fc4062" alt="Step 1 for importing quizzes" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose the rubric shape

**Holistic Rubrics** grades the whole quiz against one set of criteria. This is relevant if you have students submit one essay question and we are essentially using a rubric to grade that one essay.\
\
**Question-by-Question Rubric** gives each written answer its own criterion and its own evidence, which grades more consistently when questions test different things.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FiLikdNiifeDfWoRjmyYw%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%2011.34.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=55113851-77d0-4b0e-9919-afa24199e64f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### If you are using Question-by-Question, you will need to map criteria to questions

Map criteria by order is on by default, because the LMS order usually matches the order you wrote the rubric. If that is not the case, you will be able to manually map them to questions.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FPsbv77AmvzvweRtsYg5w%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%2011.38.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=1b7ecc5f-9df2-463a-8493-f86a7ab5c228" alt="Map criterion to each quiz question"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %} <img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2Fms2lmbcFJs7XOGunUDRn%2Fhugo-head.svg?alt=media" alt="Hugo" data-size="line"> **Hugo’s tip:** For Canvas users, we will also import over any 'Grading Notes' but you can edit, add, or delete them here. They essentially act as Grading Instructions to help AI interpret the criterion.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Import quiz submissions

For Canvas/Moodle institutions: when students submit their quiz attempts on their LMS, we will be able to import them automatically.

For D2L institutions: unfortunately there is no way to import submissions automatically so as a workaround, you will need to export submissions via a CSV in D2L and then upload that CSV to TimelyGrader. We will take care of the mapping for you.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FezMVdgrZDP9KOdvNFkQg%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%2011.40.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=c8751f6b-fc8e-4ea0-8d2a-a55e9c83e5d1" alt="Import quiz button" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Once processed, grade submissions and pass back

Grading view still looks familiar. You will be able to see each student's full response in one go.<br>

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FdXdcLFdKTsV7Iyz1M6rU%2FScreenshot%202026-10-13%20at%2011.45.43%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&amp;token=f910aa78-67ad-4e8a-a8ab-0b9056fe0293" alt="Quiz grading view" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

For both institutions: grades and feedback will be passed back similar to how they work for Assignments. Feedback will pass back to the criterion feedback box.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary>A question I expected is missing.</summary>

Only written responses come to TimelyGrader. Auto-graded question types stay with the LMS, which already scored them.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Student submissions will not import.</summary>

A criterion and a question do not line up. Resolve the mapping on the quiz first; the page says which question is unmapped.

</details>

<details>

<summary>An auto-graded score looks wrong.</summary>

Fix it in your LMS. TimelyGrader only shows those scores so the total matches your gradebook.

</details>

## FAQ

<details>

<summary>Does importing change the quiz in my LMS?</summary>

No. The import only reads the quiz.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Holistic or question-by-question?</summary>

Question-by-question when answers test different things; holistic when every question probes the same skill.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I change the rubric shape later?</summary>

Yes, but it changes what the Questions tab asks of you. Per-question mapping disappears under a holistic rubric.

</details>

## Related articles

* [Importing a quiz from your LMS](/canvas-support-articles/quizzes/import-quiz.md)
* [Mapping quiz criteria to questions](/canvas-support-articles/quizzes/edit-quiz.md)
* [Grading a quiz attempt](/canvas-support-articles/quizzes/quiz-grading.md)