It is typically possible to makeup, when you have missed an online quiz. Many classes give students a grace period, drop a low score and/or offer a make-up quiz at the discretion of the instructor. Depending primarily on the course syllabus, several things can happen after a missed online quiz situation. Check a student guide to online course deadlines to learn what to check, when it’s OK to postpone a quiz, what is the late quiz policy in case of a technical issue when taking an online quiz, and how to email the instructor.
First: Check These Three Things
If you have missed an online quiz, do the following before sending an email:
- Check the quiz. It can be late homework, or perhaps they will have a grace period.
- Read the syllabus. Look for the terms “late,” “makeup,” “drop”, and “missed.” This is where your late quiz policy should be outlined.
- Check the gradebook. A question with a 2% weightage is not as significant as a 15% weightage question.
If there is an existing rule that addresses the topic, cite the rule in your message. One can also check out a student guide to our online course deadlines to get general guidance on deadlines.
The Common Policy Types
There are several late quiz policies and grade drop policies that are undertaken by universities and teachers when students miss assessments.
| Policy type | What it means | What to do |
| Lowest score dropped | One or more low quiz scores are removed | Confirm the rule and move on |
| Grace period | Late work is accepted for a short period | Submit immediately |
| Late penalty | Marks are deducted after the deadline | Submit as soon as possible |
| Makeup at discretion | The instructor may allow another attempt | Email promptly |
| Excused absence | Certain circumstances qualify for consideration | Follow the required process |
| No late submissions | A missed quiz may receive zero | Check whether another policy applies |
| Technical reset | An instructor can sometimes reopen an attempt | Report the problem immediately |
Late quiz policy may vary from course to course (even within programmes). One of the best ways to avoid a drop in your grade is to have a grade drop policy that will guard you if you miss an assessment, but don’t take it for granted; check it out. If it is permissible to give a make-up quiz, the Syllabus should state the conditions.
What Counts as a Valid Reason
It’s easier to write things that have happened than to write explanations afterwards.
Typical explanations can be:
- Illness or hospitalisation
- Bereavement
- Religious observance
- Any member of a jury or in military service
- University-sanctioned activities
- Documented disability-related circumstances
In the case of a verified platform outage, or a significant caring emergency, some exceptions may be granted.
The inability to remember, misreading the deadline, general workload or lack of time management is less likely to be considered. If there is a missed assignment, university policy, it can offer further guidance, but your rules for quizzes remain in effect.
If you do require a make-up quiz, be honest, produce evidence as needed and notify the instructor promptly. Where an ongoing disability related need exists, please contact accessibility services and not individual requests on an ongoing basis.
If It Was a Technical Failure
When a technical problem occurs, it needs to be documented ASAP. In the case of an online quiz technical problem, save evidence first, then take the steps outlined above.
Take screenshots showing:
- The error message
- The quiz screen
- The time and date
- Your connection status
- Any message sent and/or attempt that is sent.
Next, reach out to your university help desk and save the ticket number. This generates a record with a timestamp of the online quiz technical problem.
See if the institution has been impacted by an outage. If other people have had similar problems, this might be useful in determining what goes on.
Not only should you not just come to the instructor and say the system failed; you should email your instructor with the helpdesk ticket. Try not to reopen/re-enter the quiz again and again until you understand the platform guidelines. Some systems log the number of attempts as a count of entries.
If the problem has been documented, an instructor might be able to reset the attempt. If there is a second online quiz technical problem, it will be reported the same way.
How to Email Your Instructor
Be succinct and to the point. Include:
- Student’s name, course code and section number.
- Name of the quiz and the due date for the same.
- What happened
- Any type of evidence or helpdesk ticket.
- Your specific request
- You’ve reviewed the syllabus – CONFIRMATION!
- Name and student ID of student.
Subject: Missed Quiz # 3 – BIO 201
Hello Professor [Name],
I had [brief factual reason] for missing Quiz 3. Reviewed the syllabus, and I am aware of the policy. I have attached the evidence/helpdesk ticket for reference. If it is possible, please inform me if there is a make-up quiz or any other available option.
Thank you,
[Full Name]
[Student ID]
In case you have missed an online quiz, please send the message as soon as possible – preferably within 24 hours. Avoid providing a lengthy explanation or making claims that can’t be substantiated.
If the Answer Is No
In cases where your request is rejected, first determine the real grade effect. The final grade may be affected somewhat less than you might think by a zero on a low-value quiz.
Then assess if there is a grade drop policy, if there is any extra credit available, or if there is some other assessment that has a higher value.
If you think that the policy has been implemented wrong, see the formal appeal or grade dispute procedure. Appeals can have a short deadline.
For serious circumstances, a student advocacy or dean’s office may provide additional guidance. A missed assignment university policymay also explain broader institutional procedures.
Above all, continue to be involved. Students who miss a quiz should not miss a series of assessments.
You can also read why students fall behind in online classes and how to catch up for practical recovery strategies.
Preventing It Next Time
If you have missed an online quiz, it’s easier to prevent:
- Assign all of the quiz deadlines to one calendar.
- Enable notifications in LMS.
- Remind 24 hours before deadlines.
- Verify Course Time Zone.
- Don’t begin timed quizzes close to the end of the day.
- Test your browser and internet connection before use.
- Screenshot submission confirmations.
- Be able to gauge your teacher’s response time.
All these steps also lessen the risk of another online quiz technical problem.
In order to prepare in a wider sense, consider the following: If you are taking an online course, you should check out the tips on how to prepare for online classes before your next course starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What happens if you miss an online quiz?
Varies according to the syllabus. If you have missed an online quiz, this will result in a zero, penalty, makeup, or dropped score.
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Can professors reopen a closed quiz?
Yes, some platforms technically support instructors to reopen attempts. If they will, it will be dependent on course policy and discretion.
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Will one missed quiz ruin my grade?
Usually not. Its impact could be reduced due to a low-weight quiz or late quiz policy, particularly in the presence of a drop rule.
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What if my internet cut out during the quiz?
Report online quiz technical problems as soon as they occur, capture images, and attach any helpdesk ticket/outage evidence.
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How soon should I email my instructor?
Send an email as soon as possible. A prompt message provides the teacher with more time to confirm the problem and let you know what you can do.
Conclusion + CTA
Review the syllabus, communicate with the instructor in a timely fashion and substantiate. The majority of students have missed an online quiz, and it can be caught up with promptly.