Importing Quiz Questions Using AIKEN Format

What is AIKEN Format?

 

AIKEN is a plain text format for multiple-choice questions with one correct answer. Each question follows this structure:

This is question 1.
A. Answer 1
B. Answer 2
C. Answer 3
D. Answer 4
ANSWER: B 
This is question 2.
A)True
B)False
ANSWER: A

Formatting rules:

  • Questions must be either multiple choice or true or false format.

  • Each question must be followed by answer choices labeled A., B., C., etc.

  • The correct answer is indicated with ANSWER: X on a new line (uppercase, no extra spaces).

  • Do not skip lines between the question and the answer choices or between questions.

  • No images or special formatting is supported, just plain text.

Step 1: Format Your Questions

You can write the questions directly in a plain text editor (e.g., Notepad or TextEdit), or copy them from Word and paste them into one.

Step 2: Save Your File

  1. Open a plain text editor such as Notepad.

  2. Paste your questions.

  3. Format them to match the AIKEN format.

  4. Save the file with a .txt extension (e.g., quiz1questions.txt).

Step 3: Import Into Moodle

  1. Go to your course and open the Question Bank: Course Menu > More > Question Bank 

    Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

  2. Click Import. 

    Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

  3. Choose AIKEN format.

  4. Select the Category to import into.

  5. Upload your .txt file.

  6. Click Import.

  7. Review the questions that appear, then click Continue.

Your questions will now be available in the question bank for use in a quiz.

Optional: Use AI to Format Your Questions

If you’re comfortable using an AI tool like Copilot, you can paste your Word-based questions into a chat or upload the original file and ask:

“Can you convert these multiple-choice questions into AIKEN format for Moodle 4.5?”

Make sure you review the output for accuracy and formatting before uploading.

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