# Quizzes Overview > **Portal:** `/lms` · **Desk:** Learning workspace --- ## Overview Smooth LMS **quizzes** are the primary knowledge-check tool inside courses and cohorts. A quiz is a reusable assessment document (**LMS Quiz**) made up of linked **LMS Question** records. Quizzes can be embedded in lessons as checkpoint activities, attached to cohort assessment schedules, or created standalone in the Learning workspace. Quizzes support multiple question types—single choice, multiple choice, true/false, user input, and open-ended responses—with configurable passing percentages, attempt limits, timers, question randomization, and optional negative marking. When a learner submits answers, Smooth LMS creates an **LMS Quiz Submission** with per-question results, score, percentage, and pass/fail status. Progress on the parent course updates automatically when a quiz is passed. For HR-driven organizations, quizzes often gate mandatory policy training: employees must achieve the passing score before course progress reaches 100%. Completed submissions can be exported as PDF reports and filed in Smooth HR **Employee Document** records for audit trails. > **Portal:** Learners take quizzes at `/lms` inside the course lesson view. > **Desk:** Trainers manage quizzes at `/app/lms-quiz`. ## Who this is for | Role | Typical use | |------|-------------| | **Course Creator / Moderator** | Build question banks, configure quiz rules, review submissions | | **Batch Evaluator** | Grade open-ended answers, monitor cohort assessment performance | | **LMS Student / Employee** | Take timed or untimed quizzes, review feedback when enabled | | **HR Manager** | Audit quiz PDFs, correlate pass rates with compliance requirements | | **System Manager** | Configure print formats, permissions, and AI grading settings | Quizzes appear in three contexts: **lesson checkpoints** (a lesson row links to `quiz_id`), **course-level assessments** listed on the course dashboard, and **cohort assessments** scheduled on an **LMS Batch**. Understanding where a quiz lives determines who sees it and when it blocks progress. ## How quizzes fit the course structure Smooth LMS uses a three-level hierarchy: **Course → Chapter → Lesson**. Most quizzes are attached to a lesson—the lesson body may include instructional content, and the quiz renders below or as the lesson's primary activity. When you create a quiz from the lesson editor, the system sets the **Lesson** and **Course** links on the quiz record automatically. Standalone quizzes created from the desk can later be linked by editing a lesson and selecting the quiz. **Question bank pattern:** Create **LMS Question** records independently, then add them to one or more quizzes via the **Questions** child table. Each row specifies marks for that question within the quiz. Total marks are calculated automatically. **Checkpoint pattern:** Place a quiz at the end of each chapter to verify comprehension before the learner advances. With **Show Answers** enabled, learners see explanations after submission—ideal for training, not high-stakes testing. **Cohort pattern:** Batch administrators add quizzes to the batch **Assessments** tab with due dates. Learners enrolled in the cohort see batch-level assessments alongside course content. ## Question types explained | Type | Auto-graded | Best for | |------|-------------|----------| | **Choices** | Yes (single or multiple correct) | Policy knowledge, product training | | **True/False** | Yes | Quick compliance checks | | **User Input** | Yes (exact match) | Codes, short factual answers | | **Open Ended** | Manual or AI-assisted | Essays, scenario responses | **Choices** questions support up to four options with per-option explanations shown after submission. Enable **Multiple** on the question when more than one option is correct. **Open Ended** questions flag the submission as requiring review. Instructors grade from **LMS Quiz Submission** in the desk, or Smooth LMS can invoke AI grading (`grade_open_answer`) when AI features are enabled. Negative marking is optional at the quiz level: enable **Deduct Points for Wrong Answers** and set **Points Deducted per Wrong Answer** to discourage guessing on certification exams. ## Quiz settings at a glance | Setting | Purpose | |---------|---------| | **Passing Percentage** | Minimum score to pass (required) | | **Max Attempts** | Limit retakes; `0` means unlimited | | **Duration (minutes)** | Timer; auto-submits when time expires | | **Show Answers** | Reveal correct answers and explanations after submit | | **Show Submission History** | Let learners see prior attempts | | **Randomize Question Order** | Shuffle question sequence per attempt | | **Questions Per Attempt** | Draw a random subset from the pool | | **Deduct Points for Wrong Answers** | Apply negative marking | Timed quizzes record **started_at** on submission; the server rejects submissions that exceed the allowed window (duration + small grace period). When **Max Attempts** is reached, the learner sees a message and cannot start another attempt unless an administrator resets submissions. ## Grading, progress, and notifications On submit, the `submit_quiz` API processes each answer, calculates score and percentage, creates **LMS Quiz Submission**, and calls `save_progress_after_quiz` to update **LMS Enrollment** progress when the quiz is linked to a lesson. Pass/fail is determined by comparing percentage to **Passing Percentage**. Open-ended questions may leave the submission in a pending state until an evaluator assigns marks on each **LMS Quiz Result** row. Quiz submission updates can trigger notifications to the learner when scoring completes. Evaluators with **Batch Evaluator** or **Moderator** roles receive work items for submissions needing manual review. Course progress typically requires completing all lessons—including quiz lessons—and achieving pass marks on gated quizzes. Check the course **Certification** settings if completion certificates depend on quiz performance. ## Desk paths and navigation | Task | Area | Desk path | |------|---------|-----------| | Manage quizzes | LMS Quiz | `/app/lms-quiz` | | Question bank | LMS Question | `/app/lms-question` | | Review submissions | LMS Quiz Submission | `/app/lms-quiz-submission` | | Print quiz report | LMS Quiz Submission | Open record → **Print** / **Download PDF** | From the Learning workspace sidebar, shortcuts include **Quiz**, **Quiz Results**, and **Courses Completed**. Course creators often work from the `/lms` portal **Course Dashboard** for a visual editing experience. ## Tips for effective training quizzes - Align **Passing Percentage** with policy: 80–100% for safety and compliance; 60–70% for introductory training. - Use **Questions Per Attempt** with a large question bank to reduce memorization across retakes. - Enable **Show Answers** for learning-oriented content; disable for formal assessments. - Keep timed durations generous—account for reading time on scenario-based questions. - Attach quiz PDFs to [Employee Document](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents) when OSHA or internal audit requires proof of test results. - Pair mandatory course quizzes with [Employee Compliance](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-compliance) records that track renewal cycles. - Review **Statistics → Average Assessment Scores** to identify courses needing content improvements. ## Troubleshooting | Issue | What to do | |-------|------------| | Learner cannot start quiz | Check **Max Attempts** and existing submissions; verify enrollment | | Timer expired before submit | Increase **Duration**; ensure stable network; submissions after timeout are rejected | | Progress stuck after passing | Confirm quiz is linked to lesson; re-save enrollment or replay lesson completion | | Open-ended stuck ungraded | Open **LMS Quiz Submission** and assign marks per question row | | Questions appear in wrong order | Review **Randomize** settings; clear browser cache | | Total marks mismatch | Re-save quiz to recalculate from question rows | ## In this section - [Create and Manage Quizzes](https://smoothhiring.com/help/lms/assessments/quizzes/create-and-manage) - [Taking Quizzes and Results](https://smoothhiring.com/help/lms/assessments/quizzes/taking-and-results) - [Print PDF Quiz Reports](https://smoothhiring.com/help/lms/assessments/quizzes/print-pdf-report) - [Assignments Overview](https://smoothhiring.com/help/lms/assessments/assignments/overview) --- ## Frequently asked questions ### Does LMS training completion automatically update Employee Compliance? No. Smooth LMS tracks learning progress, quiz scores, and certificates. Smooth HR **Employee Compliance** is updated separately by HR when a regulatory or policy requirement is satisfied. Download LMS PDFs and attach them to [Employee Document](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents), then mark the matching compliance row **Complete** with the correct renewal date. ### Where should quiz PDFs be stored for audits? Use [Employee Document](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents) on the employee record with an appropriate **Employee Document Type** (for example Training Record or Policy Acknowledgment). Include the **Quiz Submission Report** PDF exported from LMS. For organization-wide retention policies, align document type expiry settings with [Employee Compliance](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-compliance) renewal periods. ### Which desk workspace manages LMS content? Open the **Learning** workspace from the app switcher. Desk paths use `/app/list name` slugs—for example `/app/lms-quiz` and `/app/lms-enrollment`. Learners consume training at `/lms` on the same site. ### How do new hires get enrolled in mandatory training? When **Employee Onboarding** is created in HRMS, the LMS integration enrolls the employee user in every published **Mandatory** course and creates **LMS Training Assignment** rows with default due dates. Ensure the **Employee** record has a linked **User** with the **LMS Student** role. ### What is the difference between an LMS Certificate and HR compliance? An **LMS Certificate** proves course completion inside Smooth LMS. **Employee Compliance** in Smooth HR tracks regulatory obligations (training renewals, I-9, background checks) with scheduled expiry alerts. Course certificates do not automatically appear on the HR compliance ledger—HR attaches LMS PDFs to [Employee Document](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents) and updates [Employee Compliance](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-compliance) when policy requires. ### Can managers view their team's quiz scores? Managers with **Moderator** or **Course Creator** roles can open **LMS Quiz Submission** list views filtered by course and member. The **Statistics** dashboard summarizes average assessment scores by course. For official personnel files, export PDFs and store under the employee's HR documents rather than sharing desk login credentials. ## Glossary | Term | Definition | |------|------------| | **LMS Course** | Training container with chapters, lessons, and assessments | | **LMS Enrollment** | Links a User (employee) to a course with progress tracking | | **LMS Quiz** | Assessment document composed of linked questions | | **LMS Quiz Submission** | Record of one learner attempt with scored results | | **LMS Training Assignment** | Due-date tracker for assigned mandatory training | | **LMS Certificate** | Issued credential after course or evaluation completion | | **Mandatory course** | Published course flagged for auto-enrollment on onboarding | | **Cohort (LMS Batch)** | Scheduled group of learners with shared live sessions and assessments | | **Employee Document** | HR file-cabinet record for attachments on the employee profile | | **Employee Compliance** | HR ledger for regulatory and policy compliance status with renewals | ## Smooth LMS + Smooth HR capability map Use **Smooth LMS** for training delivery and assessments, and **Smooth HR** for employee files and compliance records — both on the same account. | Business need | Primary app | How | |---------------|-------------|-----| | Online training library | **Smooth LMS** | **LMS Course** with chapters, lessons, video/PDF/SCORM, quizzes, assignments | | Assign training + track progress | **Smooth LMS** | **LMS Enrollment**, **LMS Training Assignment**, cohort batches, progress dashboards | | Print completed tests as PDF | **Smooth LMS** | **LMS Quiz Submission** → **Quiz Submission Report** print format | | Course completion certificates | **Smooth LMS** | **LMS Certificate** with customizable print templates | | Employee file storage | **Smooth HR** | [Employee Document](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents) with document types and expiry | | Regulatory compliance tracking | **Smooth HR** | [Employee Compliance](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-compliance) with **Compliance Type** renewals | | New hire document collection | **Smooth HR** | **Employee Onboarding** portal + e-signatures | Course completion certificates from LMS are separate from HR compliance records until HR explicitly files them. Attach LMS PDFs to **Employee Document** or update **Employee Compliance** when a training record must appear on the official employee file for audits. ## LMS roles reference | Role | Capabilities | |------|----------------| | **System Manager** | Full desk access; configure LMS Settings, print formats, AI keys | | **Moderator** | Manage all courses, quizzes, enrollments, certificates, statistics | | **Course Creator** | Author courses, quizzes, assignments; view learner submissions for own content | | **Batch Evaluator** | Grade submissions, conduct certificate evaluations, manage cohort assessments | | **LMS Student** | Access `/lms` portal; take quizzes; view own certificates and assignments | HR users without LMS roles can still manage [Employee Document](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents) and [Employee Compliance](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-compliance) records when L&D provides exported PDFs. ## Connecting training records to Smooth HR Smooth LMS and Smooth HR share one account. Completing a course does not automatically update HR compliance—you connect the two when your policy requires it. | LMS artifact | HR destination | When to use | |--------------|----------------|-------------| | **LMS Certificate** PDF | [Employee Document](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents) | Store course completion certificate on the employee file | | **Quiz Submission Report** PDF | [Employee Document](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents) | Retain scored test results (safety quizzes, policy acknowledgments) | | Mandatory training status | [Employee Compliance](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-compliance) | Track renewal dates, expiry alerts, and audit-ready compliance status | **Recommended workflow:** When an employee completes mandatory training and passes required assessments, download the LMS certificate or quiz PDF from the Learning portal or desk, then attach it to an **Employee Document** or update the corresponding **Employee Compliance** record. HR Managers can configure **Compliance Type** with renewal periods so expiring certifications trigger scheduled reminders—complementing LMS **Training Assignment** due dates. New hires enrolled via **Employee Onboarding** may receive automatic LMS enrollments for courses marked **Mandatory**; HR still uses **Employee Compliance** for regulatory items (I-9, background checks) that live outside LMS. --- ## Related guides - [Create and Manage Quizzes](https://smoothhiring.com/help/lms/assessments/quizzes/create-and-manage) - [Employee Documents (HRMS)](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-documents) - [Employee Compliance (HRMS)](https://smoothhiring.com/help/hrms/documents-compliance/employee-compliance) --- _Last updated: May 2026_