How To Make a Timed Quiz on Microsoft Forms

Updated on:

April 6, 2026

By:

Use this interactive demo to learn how to create a timed quiz on Microsoft Forms.

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Microsoft Forms includes a built-in timer in quiz settings that auto-submits when time expires, perfect for assessments with strict deadlines.

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On your Microsoft 365 main dashboard, click Apps to see all apps.
Click on Forms to open Microsoft Forms.
Select Quiz to start building a quiz.
Enter a title and an optional description to explain the quiz.
Click Quick start with to add questions, choose a type, and use quiz options to set points, correct answers, and feedback.
Customize the design with the Style (paint palette icon) and use tooltips for quick guidance on settings.
Click the Settings (gear icon) at the top right of the page.
Toggle Set time duration and enter minutes (1-999).
Click X (close button) to apply your changes.
Hit Preview to see how respondents will experience your quiz.
The timer is successfully appearing for your respondents.

📌 Why this matters

Timed quizzes create controlled testing environments that prevent cheating through extended research or collaboration. You can standardize assessment conditions across all participants, ensuring fairness whether students take the quiz remotely or in different time zones.

The auto-submit feature eliminates the anxiety of manual submission and prevents technical excuses for late submissions. Beyond basic time limits, this creates authentic pressure that mirrors real-world scenarios where quick decision-making matters, making your assessments more reliable indicators of actual knowledge retention rather than research skills.

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