The 7 Best Online Test Makers for Teachers — Free and Paid

If you’re choosing a test maker tool and are overwhelmed by their numerous features, this article has got you covered. We’ve picked 7 popular tools for creating assessments and made a detailed comparison that will help you figure out which one fits best for your everyday tasks and workflow.

For your convenience, we’ve divided the tools into two major categories:

• The 3 best free test makers
• The 4 best paid test makers

Continue reading for a detailed analysis of each tool. But in case you’re short of time, here’s a quick side-by-side view of all the quiz makers we reviewed. 

Test Maker Comparison Chart

Key Features for a Test Maker for Teachers

Before we take a detailed look at specific quiz makers, let’s list the features you need to keep in mind to select an appropriate tool:

• Multiple question types. You definitely want your learners to be engaged with quizzes as opposed to considering them boring mandatory necessities, right? So, you need a tool that provides you with various types of question templates, including ubiquitous multiple-choice and true or false questions, as well as fun drag-and-drops and hotspots.
• A variety of settings. It’s no secret that sometimes students cheat and you should undertake some measures to avoid this. In order not to waste time shuffling questions and answer options before sending an online quiz to another student, opt for a tool that will do this automatically. A test maker that will let you set up branching and add feedback and info slides will be an even better option.
• Analytics and reporting. Why check tests manually if this can be done automatically? Many quiz makers have this functionality, but you also should pay attention to how extensive the reporting they provide is. Does the tool only track how many correct and incorrect answers a learner provides or deliver more detailed reports? 
• Responsive output. Modern students particularly live on their smartphones, so learning as a significant part of their life should also occur via their phones. That’s why it’s worth employing a solution that can produce mobile-ready quizzes.

How We Tested Test Makers for Teachers

Now let’s dive into particular test makers we consider to be solid options. We’ve done research, checked the reviews, tested the tools ourselves, and compared them according to the following metrics:

• Question types. How many types of questions a tool offers and how complex they are.
• Testing rules. How rich are the test customization options such as scoring system and whether you can create truly cheat-proof tests.
• Bells and whistles. Cool, yet not super-essential options fall into this category.
• Sharing and reports. How to publish a test and track learners’ results.

The 3 Best Free Test Makers

If you’re looking to save money, there are a few quiz makers that can help you create quizzes without emptying your wallet. A word of caution though: some of them might seem difficult to use and may lack important options you’d like to see in a tool. 

1. Hot Potatoes — Easily create language exercises

Hot Potatoes is a free software bundle, available on both Windows and Mac, which includes six applications. Five of them are for creating different types of exercises, and the last one allows you to mix them. This tool is a good fit for language teachers who want to make vocabulary quizzes and small practice exercises for their students.

Key features and how it works

Hot Potatoes is a bundle of six tools. You can create separate exercises or mix them, and then publish as web pages or upload to your LMS. The tool also has a Java version available for Mac computers, but it is not SCORM compliant. The advanced functionality is only accessible to those who are knowledgeable about JavaScript and HTML.

1. Question types. There are 8 question types including fill-in-the-blank, matching, multiple choice, jumbled sentence, and crossword.
2. Testing rules. Everything here is pretty simple. Hot Potatoes allows you to assign allocated weights for some types of questions, set penalties for wrong answers, and restrict time to pass a test. Students may ask for hints or correct their mistakes during a test (and lose points for these actions).
3. Bells and whistles. The tool lets instructors connect different tests so students can go from one activity to another. As for design and multimedia, it’s possible to add graphics, links, audio, and video to questions and answers. Plus, a special clipart library is available to illustrate basic vocabulary.
4. Sharing and reports. You can publish tests as web pages (which are easily edited in WYSIWYG editors), create SCORM packages for LMSs, or copy quizzes to a document for printing. Test results can be sent via email through your server (requires complicated configuration) or reported in your LMS. You can also upload tests to the hotpotatoes.net server (it’s a virtual learning environment), and track students’ progress there. This platform is provided on a subscription basis (starts from about $64).

Pricing

Hot Potatoes is available as a freeware download from Half-Baked Software’s homepage. This quiz maker is free for non-profit or educational institutions, with the condition that the materials produced are freely available to anyone via the Web. Otherwise, a license starts with 1 user for $100 US.

Best suited for

Hot Potatoes seems to be designed with K-12 educators in mind, particularly those in the Language Arts disciplines. It’s a good choice for creating easy drill-and-practice exercises to help students work toward mastery of a concept, rather than graded quizzes and tests.

2. Google Forms + Flubaroo — Quick online quizzing for teachers

Google Forms allows you to create surveys and simple tests and save the results in a spreadsheet, while Flubaroo, an extension for Google Sheets, analyzes these results and grades them in a new spreadsheet. This combo is available from any device with an internet connection, and surveys and tests are easy to take from phones and tablets.

Key features and how it works

Create a new Google Form, type in the questions, save the form, and add the answer keys. When you share the test with your learners and they take it, the results are collected in a special spreadsheet. To grade the results automatically, you need to install Flubaroo, a plugin for Google Forms. This tool quickly calculates students’ results and shows them on the same spreadsheet.

1. Question types. There are 9 question types available, including multiple choice, file upload, checkbox grid, time question, and others.
2. Testing rules. As Google Forms is better suited for surveys, the testing rules are quite simple. It’s possible to shuffle questions, collect students emails, and allow them to edit answers after submitting.
3. Bells and whistles. You can collect students’ emails and leave individual feedback when they complete the survey. Form design is customizable: you can add a theme, change color, or include a photo header. Images, videos, links or websites can also be added to answer feedback. As for branching, a teacher can set up a test so that learners will only see certain sections based on their answers.
4. Sharing and reports. Sharing is pretty clear: the tool is web-based, and you simply send a link to your learners. As for reports, a teacher can track the average score, the number of difficult questions, percent of students who gave the right answer, number of attempts, frequently missed questions, and so on. The report is displayed as a table or a diagram. Students can get their results by email. What’s also cool about Google Forms is the ability to share tests with colleagues for collaborative work and review.

Pricing

This tool is completely free.

Best suited for

Google Forms + Flubaroo is a good pick for those who need to create a lot of surveys and quick quizzes, and don’t have enough time to do grading manually. Tests and surveys are available online and can be used for quick mobile assessment.

3. QuizStar — an LMS-like experience for teachers

QuizStar is a free online test maker for teachers that allows you to create quizzes for students, invite them to an online classroom, and view test results in your browser. Despite the fact that tests are made in a browser, it’s better to take them from PCs, since the website doesn’t have a mobile version.

Key features and how it works

A teacher registers on the website, creates a test, and types in questions. Then they have to create an online class and assign the test to a group of students like in an LMS.

1. Question types. This online quiz maker offers 3 simple types of questions: multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer, which allow you to create simple assessments.
2. Testing rules. You can create open or private online classes with self-registration. When set as private, tests can be assigned to students who log into the system with credentials given to them by their instructor. There’s an option to set the number of attempts, timer, and points. It’s also possible to specify test start and finish dates. Questions can’t be shuffled.
3. Bells and whistles. Everything is quite minimalistic: there’s no customizable design, multimedia options, or branching. Students can get instructions and feedback for each question. The main pro of this service is that a teacher doesn’t have to purchase and install any software, but is still able to create online classrooms and get reports, like in a learning management system.
4. Sharing and reports. Students take the assigned tests online right in their browsers. Reports contain test results overview, question analysis, and student results. The report manager allows you to send results to a teacher daily or weekly.

Pricing

This online quiz maker is absolutely free.

Best suited for

QuizStar is an easy way to launch eLearning in a school without an LMS. It is one of the best online quiz makers for teachers who want to assess students systematically, save time on preparation, analyze students’ results, and do all this for free.

The 4 Best Paid Test Makers

If you’re looking for high-quality performance, a wide range of testing capabilities, and expert technical support, you might want to invest in paid software. Here are four paid test makers that have gained customers’ trust and continue to be popular among teachers and other quiz developers.  

4. iSpring QuizMaker – Well-designed interactive quizzes in a snap

iSpring QuizMaker is an intuitive yet powerful tool for creating online quizzes of any complexity — comprehensive employee assessments, drag-and-drop exercises, interactive quizzes, quick surveys, and more. It will help eLearning developers and instructors organize mobile assessment in record time and get detailed reports on each learner’s performance.

Key features and how it works

The tool is easy to navigate, as it has tabs and ribbons similar to MS Office. With the WYSIWYG editor, tests are very simple to create. You can choose from 14 templates for graded and survey questions and fill them in with your text and media within minutes. The test design is responsive, so this tool will help you deliver a great mobile learning experience.

1. Question types. iSpring QuizMaker has 14 graded and survey question types for comprehensive knowledge assessment, including multiple-choice, matching, drag-and-drop, word bank, hotspot, essay, and Likert scale.
2. Testing rules. You can set time limits, the number of attempts, random question choice, and the opportunity to skip a question. Scoring is also very flexible: you can specify a passing score and assign points or penalties for each question, including partially answered ones. Questions are easily organized into groups, and each group can be graded separately so you’ll be able to assess multiple topics in a single test.
3. Bells and whistles. Students can receive detailed feedback with audio and images. There is also a branching option to create learning paths for each student: learners can be directed to a specific question or explanation slide depending on their answers. It’s possible to enhance quizzes with images, audio, videos, and formulas and create a question bank on a specific subject, for instance. Plus, the test’s design is fully customizable: it’s easy to change backgrounds, layouts, fonts, and colors.
4. Sharing and reports. Tests are created in HTML5 format, and can be published on a website, LMS, MS Word, or a cloud sharing service offered by the same vendor. The preview option helps you see how a test will look on various devices before publishing. The tool offers insightful reports, so it’s easy to track each learner’s performance. You can get detailed results for each question or group of questions. Even if you don’t have an LMS, you are still able to get full reports via email or your local server.

Pricing

A free 14-day fully-functional trial is available. A subscription to iSpring QuizMaker costs $370/year. There are special discounts for educators, students, non-profit organizations, and governmental institutions.

Best suited for

iSpring QuizMaker is a good pick for both teachers and eLearning course creators. It has no learning curve and allows you to create interactive assessments and exercises ready for all devices. 

Try iSpring QuizMaker →

5. Articulate Quizmaker – Build complex interactions

Articulate Quizmaker allows you to create complex non-standard assessments and is a good fit for technically advanced eLearning developers. It has a lot of things to fine tune and allows you to make quizzes for all devices.

Key features and how it works

This quiz maker is shipped as a part of Articulate 360, a bundle of 9 tools. Articulate Quizmaker is a standalone application with a PowerPoint-like interface. The tool features a lot of options and allows you to use both question templates and pre-made questions from scratch; however, it might take you a while to learn the ropes and explore all the capabilities.

1. Question types. Articulate’s application has 20 form-based and 6 free-form questions, including both standard multiple choice, matching, etc. and complex drag-n-drop activities.
2. Testing rules. There are a lot of settings to fine-tune. You can configure complex scoring (including negative points and points for partial answers), set the number of attempts, allow users to skip questions, and so on. Questions can be sorted into groups and shuffled.
3. Bells and whistles. Test design and media are fully customizable: you can use templates, add audio, video, images and web objects, etc. Plus, this tool is integrated with the Content Library, so you can enhance tests with characters and use beautiful slide templates. There’s an option to provide students with feedback for each question, and enhance it with audio and video. Branching scenarios are also easily created within a test. The vendor offers a free mobile app to take tests online and offline.
4. Sharing and reports. Articulate-made quizzes can be published to the Web, an existing presentation, LMS, CD, or MS Word. Quizzes are published in HTML5 and Flash formats, so they’re easy to view on mobile devices. Plus, you can publish a test to Articulate 360 and share it online with colleagues for review. As for reporting, quiz results can be tracked in an LMS only.

Pricing

Articulate’s Quizmaker comes as a part of Articulate 360, a subscription to which costs $999 per year for one user. A fully functional 30-day free trial of the authoring software is also available. 

Best suited for

Articulate Quizmaker is a full-fledged tool with many sophisticated features. With its freeform question types and rich design capabilities, it’s a good fit for tech-savvy eLearning pros. However, it comes as part of a large, expensive bundle, which implies that the target audience is looking for more than just a quizzing tool.

6. Respondus – Create secure exams for your LMS

Respondus is designed to make assessments for learning management systems. It’s a good choice for university teachers, as it works with popular edu-focused LMSs, and the vendor also ships a special browser to prevent students from cheating. With Respondus, you can create quizzes for Moodle, Blackboard Learn 9.x, Brightspace 10.x, Canvas, IMS QTI 1.x, and Pearson LearningStudio.

Key features and how it works

Exams in Respondus can be made up from the available publisher test bank, or by using the exam wizard. First of all, you choose the LMS you’re using (the tool creates different “personalities” for each LMS), then create your questions and upload the test to your learning system. Questions may also be imported from Word or from other exams made with the software. The UI is a bit Windows 98-like, but all the essential features are easy to find.

1. Question types. The number of questions varies for different LMSs. In general, the tool offers 15 question types, including calculated and algorithmic questions.
2. Testing rules. With Respondus, you can protect your quizzes with a password, set time limits, block the right mouse button, or make students take the quiz through a special browser to prevent cheating. It’s also possible to allow students several attempts to take a test, and submit the answers after the deadline with no points awarded. Plus, you can create groups of questions and randomize them.
3. Bells and whistles. You can access thousands of publisher test banks and create a test from ready-made questions. It’s possible to add images, videos, audio, formulas (there is a Mathtype-based equation editor), and Word and PDF docs to questions and answers. The feedback option allows students to check the right answers after taking a test. The vendor also ships Respondus Lockdown browser, which integrates with an LMS and helps prevent students from cheating. When taking an exam with this browser, students are unable to switch between applications, copy or print any text, etc.
4. Sharing and reports. Sharing options are limited: Respondus-made tests can be printed or uploaded to an LMS. You can publish tests directly to an online course, or even multiple courses, and move them between different LMSs. There’s an option to preview how a test looks before putting it in an LMS. You can generate reports in your learning management system and see scores, overall stats, and answer distribution. You can also archive and restore quiz projects to share them with colleagues.

Pricing

The tool has a free 30-day trial. Licenses are available for $79 USD if you purchase with a credit card online, or $149 if you purchase via check or purchase order.

Best suited for

Respondus seems to be the go-to software for university professors who use one of the LMSs it supports. Since the main function of the software is to administer and collect secure, timed exams, it would have little appeal for the business and training sectors.

7. QuestionWriter HTML5 — Create SCORM-compliant assessments

QuestionWriter HTML5 is another paid tool designed for creating customizable SCORM-compliant quizzes and tracking students’ results. It’s a sort of exam creation software that allows instructors to develop assessments for the Web and LMSs, fine-tune quiz settings, and get reports.

Key features and how it works

QuestionWriter is a desktop test writing software for teachers that offers rich customization options. You can create tests from scratch or use one of 20 pre-made quiz templates (which, however, look a bit outdated). The tool supports HTML5 mobile-ready format, but the quiz design is not responsive, so the tests aren’t so easy to take on mobile devices.

1. Question types. Question Writer offers 10 types of questions, including Multiple Choice, Matching, Essay, Explanation, and more.
2. Testing rules. There are plenty of options to set (however, some settings are difficult to configure). You can set a time limit, so that the results are automatically sent to the instructor when the limit ends. It’s possible to assign points and penalties, grade partial answers, create question pools and randomize questions, and apply multiple scores. There’s also an option to ask for students’ details when they’re taking a quiz.
3. Bells and whistles. There are 20 quiz templates, but their design and layout seem old fashioned. Instructors will appreciate the rich feedback options (answer, question, or quiz-level feedback, etc.) and branching feature, which helps customize the test scenario. Questions can be enhanced with images and Flash objects; audio and video are not supported.
4. Sharing and reports. A test made in QuestionWriter can be uploaded to the Web or an LMS (if it supports SCORM 1.2), exported to text or QTI format, or printed. As for reports, users can receive them via email, export as Excel files, or check online. Quiz results can be sent to server or email (both teacher’s and students’)

Pricing

For $495, you can use everything this quiz generator for teachers has to offer, including unlimited test authoring, email/forum support, and access to the test management software.

How to work with Question Writer

Best suited for

QuestionWriter HTML5 allows users to create simple tests for the Web and a number of LMSs using basic question types. It works well for those who want to track students’ results and don’t need their tests to look professional and polished.

How to Choose a Test Maker

iSpring QuizMaker and Articulate Quizmaker will be the best fit for course developers. If you need to create engaging mobile-ready quizzes in a snap and collect detailed reports, iSpring is a good choice. Articulate allows you to create complicated tests with layers and variables but takes more time to learn.

Respondus can be the right tool for university professors who use one of the LMSs it supports and want to prevent cheating on their exams. QuestionWriter is more feature rich and is also a good test maker for teachers; however, both tools have a rather old-fashioned UI and test design.

If you need to create a lot of surveys or simple online quizzes and don’t want to install any tools or applications, check out the Google Forms and Flubaroo bundle. QuizStar will help school teachers who need to track students’ results but don’t have an LMS, and Hot Potatoes is a good choice for those who create simple drill-and-practice exercises, especially in the Language Arts.

FAQ on Test Makers

What is a test maker?

A test maker is software that allows you to create quizzes and assess learners’ knowledge online. Depending on a particular tool, they may have different question types, various testing rules, and degrees of customization. 

Why use online testing software?

There are lots of reasons why it’s worth using these tools. But we’d like to highlight three main ones: 

• By creating online tests and delivering them on the Web, you can reach a wider audience. No matter where your learners are — in your classroom or in another city or even country — they’ll be able to access quizzes online. 
• Teachers and instructors can save a lot of time with quiz makers. They can create a quiz once and deliver it to all learners. Besides, most tools calculate scores automatically and grade tests instantly, so users don’t need to check tests manually.
• Test makers can help reduce cheating by providing unique question sets for each learner or shuffling questions and answer options. All this makes it much harder for students to share answers.

Conclusion

As you can see, there’s no shortage of test makers in today’s market. But if you’d like to conduct comprehensive knowledge assessments and create beautifully designed interactive quizzes, check out iSpring QuizMaker. No tech skills or design background are required to get started. Download a 14-day free trial to see how it all works for yourself.