Classic vs New Quizzes in Canvas
When instructors create a quiz in Canvas by clicking the +Quiz button on the Quizzes page, a pop-up window prompts them to select a "Quiz Engine", with options for Classic Quizzes or New Quizzes. Understanding the differences between the two quiz engines is important, as each offers different features, limitations, and long-term implications.
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Classic Quizzes is the original quizzing tool in Canvas and has been available since UIW transitioned to the platform. While it is still fully functional, Instructure has begun phasing it out, although no formal end-of-life date has been announced.
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New Quizzes is Canvas’s modern quiz engine. It offers additional question types, more flexible settings, and an improved interface. Instructors are encouraged to begin using New Quizzes unless their course requires functionality that has not yet been replicated.
For a side-by-side feature breakdown, see the Canvas Comparison Chart: Classic vs. New Quizzes.
Key Limitations of New Quizzes
While New Quizzes is ready for broad use, and many users solely use this option, some limitations remain:
Accessibility Concerns
- Certain question types—such as Hot Spot, Matching, and questions using table headers—have unresolved accessibility issues.
- Instructure has committed to improving accessibility across its platform in 2025 but consider alternatives for students using screen readers or assistive technology.
No Native Survey Question-type
- Unlike Classic Quizzes, New Quizzes does not currently support survey-style quizzes (i.e., quizzes with no correct answers).
- While the current survey experience available in Classic Quizzes will not be exactly replicated in New Quizzes, you can configure New Quizzes to behave like a survey by adjusting point values and feedback settings.
No Option to Convert Back
- Once a quiz is built in New Quizzes, it cannot be converted to Classic Quizzes.
- Likewise, if you use the quiz migration tool to update a Classic Quiz to New Quizzes, that change is permanent.
- Keep this in mind when creating new assessments, especially if your course depends on features only available in Classic Quizzes.
Classic vs New Quizzes FAQ
Is there a definitive date when classic quizzes won't be available?
While Classic Quizzes remains available for now, the long-term expectation is that New Quizzes will eventually replace it entirely. Faculty are encouraged to begin exploring and building in New Quizzes now. The earlier faculty become familiar with the tool, the smoother the eventual transition will be. The Instructional Technology team will communicate any upcoming changes and timelines as they become available. Contact UIW Canvas Support for questions or concerns regarding New Quizzes.
When I create a quiz in Canvas, I don't get the option to choose Classic or New Quizzes.
At some point, an instructor selected a quiz engine and checked the “Remember this choice for my course” option. To reset this preference and be prompted again when creating a new quiz:
- Go to the Quizzes page in your Canvas course.
- Click the three dots next to the +Quiz button.
- Select Reset quiz engine choice.
Where can I learn more about New Quizzes?
