Exam Blocks

Exam Blocks ยท For paper multiple-choice exams

How to shuffle questions in a Word test

Word has no command that shuffles questions; the usual routes are cutting and pasting by hand or a macro. The quicker route that keeps pictures and equations exactly where they are: save the test as a PDF (File, then Save As, then PDF), open it here, box each question, and print shuffled versions with an answer key.

A sample quiz saved from a word processor.
  • Your file never leaves your device.
  • Figures, formulas and tables print as you made them.
  • Free for two versions of up to 20 blocks.
Your page, boxed, becomes Version A and Version B Version A Version B Answer map A1 C A2 B A3 DB1 B B2 D B3 C

Step by step: a 16-question Word test with three graphs

  1. In Word, choose File, then Save As, and pick PDF as the file type. Your .docx stays as it was.
  2. Open the PDF on this page. Drag a box around each question, graph and choices included. Pick the right letter for each.
  3. If your questions are numbered in the margin, set "Remove old numbers from the left margin" so the striped band covers the numbers.
  4. Click Make the versions and save Version A, Version B and the answer map. The three graphs print exactly as they looked in Word, because each box is cut out as a picture.

Questions

Can I edit a question after shuffling?

Edit it in Word, save the PDF again and box it again. The versions are PDFs, not Word files.

Does this work for Google Docs?

Yes. In Google Docs choose File, then Download, then PDF Document, and open that file here.

Why not sort the questions in Word?

Sorting puts questions in alphabetical order, not a random one, and a picture or equation that floats beside a question can stay behind when the text moves.

Is my test uploaded?

No. The PDF is read in your browser and the versions are saved to your computer.

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