How do I write my own questions?

Learn to use the simple editor to make questions that you can add to any assignment.

In this article:

• Opening the simple question editor
• Writing the question prompt
• Making a multiple-choice question
• Making a numerical or free-response question
• Testing the question
• Adding the question to an assignment

Opening the simple question editor

You can add a new question when you're creating an assignment or adding more questions to an assignment you've just created.

While looking at Derivita's content, click New Question in the top left to open the simple editor:

Writing the question prompt

Replace "What is 1?" with the problem statement. The toolbar along the top lets you format what you write, as well as insert things like YouTube videos, links to other pages, and images.

When you want to format something as math, highlight what you've typed and click π². For example, if you type sin(pi/2) then highlight it and click π², it'll turn into .

Making a multiple-choice question

1. Under Answer, change Input Type to Multiple Choice
2. Write the options:
   1. Create answer choices by typing or inserting images into each option
   2. If you want more than 4 options, click Add Option
   3. If you want to remove an option, click the trash can icon next to it
3. Choose which options will be marked correct:
   
   1. Check the box next to the right answer
   2. If you'd like students to select multiple answers, check the boxes next to more than one
      Be sure to give a hint in the instructions, like "Select all that apply."
4. If you want the options to be presented in a random order to each student, turn on Shuffle

Making a numerical or free-response question

Set the input type:

• The default is Expression, which lets students enter a number, expression, or equation
• Essay lets students respond freely with text, math, images, and drawings
• If you want students to enter something specific, like an Interval or Matrix, select that

If you're making a question with numerical input:

1. For Toolbar Type, choose a level appropriate for your class
   This determines which buttons appear when students are typing their answers
2. Enter the correct answer
3. Choose how strict you'd like the grading to be

If you're making a free-response (essay) question, there's no need to add the correct answer, since you'll be grading students' responses.

Testing the question

Once you've chosen the correct answer, you can see how it'll look for students and make sure that it's grading the way you want it to by entering your answer and the top and clicking Check.

Adding the question to an assignment

Click Save, and you'll be taken back to Assignment Assembly. The new question is already selected, so if you'd like to add it to the current assignment, just select any other questions you want to use, then click Next.

If you'd like to re-use this question later, it'll be available under My Templates > My Questions.