Should I deploy my assessment online or print it?

Online works best for objective, MCQ-gradable content — Class Exercises, Class Tests, and quick checks. Printed works best where you need extended written responses, diagrams, or exam-hall conditions — most Mid-Semester and End of Semester Examinations still make sense on paper.

Can I still get a marking scheme if I deploy online?

Yes. The Online Quiz mode grades automatically since every question is MCQ, and you can still download a Questions + Marking Scheme document alongside the live link if you want a printed backup or reference copy.

How to Create and Deploy an Online Assessment

By Admin · Updated 1 August 2026

Quick answer: Open the Assessment tab and choose Online Quiz (MCQ) instead of Printed Document. It's the right choice for objective, auto-gradable content — Class Exercises and Class Tests especially. For assessments needing extended written answers or exam-hall conditions, Printed Document is usually still the better fit. Both modes come from the same setup screen, so switching costs you nothing but a tap.

The five GES assessment types, and which format fits

Assessment Title	Best format	Why
Class Exercise	Online	Quick, low-stakes, ideal for instant auto-grading
Class Test	Online	Objective MCQ format covers most class test needs well
Assignment	Either	Online if objective; printed if it needs written explanation or diagrams
Mid-Semester Examination	Usually Printed	Often needs Section B/C written responses beyond MCQ
End of Semester Examination	Usually Printed	Formal exam-hall conditions and full-length written papers

None of this is a hard rule — some schools run End of Semester MCQ sections online as a supplement to a printed written paper. Use the table as a starting point, not a constraint.

What each mode actually produces

Printed Document mode generates three separate Word documents in about five minutes: the exam paper (learner copy, no answers), the marking scheme (teacher copy, full answers and mark allocations), and a table of specification breaking down coverage by week, focal area, question type, and DoK level.

Online Quiz (MCQ) mode generates the same quality of MCQ questions, but instead of a document, you get a live link. Students answer on their own devices, are graded automatically, and you get a results dashboard plus an emailed report when the quiz closes — no printing, no manual marking.

Deploying online — condensed steps

In the Assessment tab, toggle to 💻 Online Quiz (MCQ)
Set SHS Year, Semester, School Name, Assessment Title, and Class(es)
Select Subject and the specific Topics to Cover
Choose number of questions (5–200), DoK split, and time limit
Generate, review, replace any weak questions, then confirm to create the live link
Share via copy link or WhatsApp; students join with class + name + a 4-digit PIN
Check results on your dashboard, or wait for the automatic closure report by email

For the full walkthrough — including class rosters, locking a class to a fixed roster, and reading the Gradebook — see the detailed guide: How to Create and Deploy an Online Test.

Mixing both formats for one assessment

A practical middle ground some teachers use: deploy an online quiz for the objective section of a bigger assessment (fast grading, instant feedback), and hand out a printed section for anything requiring written responses — scored separately using the printed marking scheme. Nothing forces you to pick one format for an entire term.

One tab, both formats

SHS Planner's Assessment tab builds a full printed exam package or a live, auto-graded online quiz — from the same setup screen, in minutes either way.

Create My Assessment Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I deploy my assessment online or print it?: Online works best for objective, MCQ-gradable content — Class Exercises, Class Tests, and quick checks. Printed works best for extended written responses, diagrams, or exam-hall conditions.
Can I still get a marking scheme if I deploy online?: Yes — the Online Quiz mode grades automatically, and you can still download a Questions + Marking Scheme document alongside the live link.