Question Types

TriviaNow supports six question types, each bringing a different flavor to your game. Mixing them up keeps players on their toes and makes sessions more engaging.

Single Choice

Players pick one correct answer from a list of options. This is the classic trivia format.

How it works for players: A question appears on screen with multiple options. Players tap the one they think is correct. Options are shuffled each time the question is played, so memorizing positions will not help.

How scoring works: Players earn points for selecting the correct answer. Faster responses earn more points.

[!TIP] Make your wrong answers (distractors) plausible. If the correct answer is “Jupiter” and the other options are “Pizza”, “Blue”, and “A Chair”, the question is too easy. Good distractors make players think.

Tips for great Single Choice questions:

• Aim for 3 to 4 answer options
• Keep all options roughly the same length — a noticeably longer option often signals the correct answer
• Avoid “All of the above” or “None of the above” — they are less fun in a fast-paced game

Multiple Choice

Players select all correct answers from the options. Think “select all that apply.”

How it works for players: A question appears with multiple options, and more than one is correct. Players need to select every correct answer to get full credit.

How scoring works: Partial scoring is possible. Players earn points proportional to how many correct answers they identify. Selecting a wrong answer reduces the score.

[!TIP] Clearly word your question so players know multiple answers are expected. For example: “Which of the following are planets in our solar system?” is much clearer than “Name a planet.”

Tips for great Multiple Choice questions:

• Make it clear in the question text that multiple answers are correct
• Have 2 to 3 correct answers out of 4 to 6 options for a good balance
• Avoid having almost all options be correct — that defeats the purpose

True/False

A simple true or false question. Fast, clean, and great for breaking up the pace.

How it works for players: Players see a statement and choose True or False. The options are always displayed in the same order (True first, False second) — they are not shuffled.

How scoring works: Standard point scoring. Faster correct answers earn more points.

[!NOTE] Since there is a 50/50 chance of guessing correctly, True/False questions work best as quick-fire rounds or mixed in with harder question types.

Tips for great True/False questions:

• Write clear, unambiguous statements — avoid “trick” wording
• Make sure the statement is definitively true or false, not debatable
• These work well in rapid-fire sequences for an energetic round

Text Answer

Players type their answer instead of selecting from options. Great for “name that…” or fill-in-the-blank style questions.

How it works for players: A question appears and players type their answer into a text field. TriviaNow uses smart matching with a default similarity threshold of 90%, so small typos and minor spelling variations are still accepted.

How scoring works: Players earn points if their typed answer matches the correct answer within the similarity threshold. The threshold is configurable if you want to be more or less strict.

[!TIP] When setting the correct answer, think about common variations. If the answer is “The United States of America”, players might type “USA”, “US”, or “United States”. Consider using a simpler accepted answer or adjusting the similarity threshold.

Tips for great Text Answer questions:

• Keep correct answers short — one or two words work best
• Avoid answers that have many common alternate spellings
• “Name this…” and “What is the name of…” are natural fits for this type
• Test your question by thinking about what you would type as a player

Nearest Number

Players guess a number as close as possible to the correct answer. No one needs to be exact — the closest guess wins.

How it works for players: A question appears asking for a numerical answer (a year, a quantity, a measurement, etc.). Players type their best guess. The closer they are to the correct number, the better they score.

How scoring works: Points are awarded based on proximity to the correct answer. The closest guess earns the most points, with scores decreasing as guesses get further away.

[!TIP] Nearest Number questions are fantastic for questions where exact knowledge is unlikely. “How many bones are in the human body?” is more fun as a Nearest Number question than a Single Choice question.

Tips for great Nearest Number questions:

• Choose questions where the answer is a specific number (years, distances, populations, quantities)
• Questions like “What year did…”, “How many…”, and “How far is…” work perfectly
• Avoid numbers that are common knowledge — the fun is in the guessing

Range

Players select a value within a numerical range. Great for estimation questions where the answer is a spectrum rather than a single point.

How it works for players: A question appears with a range slider or input. Players pick a value they think falls within the correct range. This is ideal for questions where a reasonable estimate is the goal.

How scoring works: Players earn points based on how close their selected value is to the target range. Values within the correct range earn full points.

Tips for great Range questions:

• Set a reasonable range that rewards good estimation
• Works well for questions like “What percentage of…” or “Estimate the population of…”
• Make sure the range is not so wide that any guess works, or so narrow that it feels impossible

Choosing the Right Question Type

Not sure which type to use? Here is a quick guide:

Mixing different question types within a single trivia set keeps the energy up and the experience fresh. A good session might start with some Single Choice warmups, throw in a few Nearest Number challenges, and finish with a Text Answer lightning round.