Best Free Online Courses with Quizzes

Interactive online learning experiences are more effective when students can actively test their knowledge through built-in assessments. Quizzes reinforce understanding, highlight gaps in knowledge, and make learning more engaging. Thankfully, many platforms offer high-quality, free courses that include quizzes, self-checks, or module-based tests. These resources are ideal for students, professionals, and lifelong learners who want to gain knowledge while tracking their progress. Below are some of the best platforms that offer free online courses with integrated quizzes.

1. Coursera (Audit Mode) – Courses offered by top universities and organizations include short quizzes at the end of each module. Learners can audit the courses for free, gaining access to most learning content, including quizzes and discussion forums. Subjects include business, data science, psychology, computer science, and health. Many courses also include peer-reviewed assignments, case studies, and video-based comprehension questions.
2. edX (Audit Free Courses) – Provides free audit access to university-level courses with periodic quizzes, exercises, and end-of-unit tests. Quizzes are designed to reinforce comprehension and often include multiple-choice, short-answer, or scenario-based questions. Some courses, like those in data science or AI, also include coding assignments and lab simulations.
3. Alison – Offers free certification courses with module quizzes that assess understanding of each topic before progressing. These assessments must be passed to complete the course and earn certification. Alison’s catalog includes professional development, digital skills, language learning, health and safety, and personal enrichment topics.
4. Khan Academy – Known for its mastery-based learning model, Khan Academy includes interactive quizzes and instant feedback for subjects such as math, science, history, economics, SAT prep, and computer programming. Learners receive personalized dashboards and progress reports that make it easy to track skills over time.
5. FutureLearn – Many of its free courses include end-of-week quizzes, reflective activities, and peer discussion to help consolidate learning. Courses span across topics like psychology, language, healthcare, workplace skills, and education. Instructors often use scenario-based assessments to simulate real-world applications.
6. OpenLearn (The Open University) – Features over 1,000 free courses with built-in quizzes, self-assessments, and interactive media. Courses in leadership, science, social care, and humanities help learners apply key concepts through knowledge checks, and many include a free statement of participation.
7. Google Digital Garage – Offers structured, beginner-friendly modules in digital marketing, productivity, and career readiness. Courses like “Fundamentals of Digital Marketing” include interactive quizzes and a final certification test that must be passed to earn the certificate.
8. HubSpot Academy – Marketing, sales, and service courses include video lessons followed by interactive quizzes to reinforce key takeaways. These quizzes must be completed with a passing score to obtain a free certificate. Courses also include real-world application examples and downloadable templates.
9. Microsoft Learn – Technical courses in Office productivity, Azure, Power BI, and cybersecurity are broken into self-paced modules that include quizzes and hands-on labs. Interactive sandboxes provide real-time practice, and learners receive achievements and badges for completing learning paths.
10. Cisco Networking Academy (Skills for All) – Offers interactive foundational courses in networking, Python programming, and cybersecurity. Modules include guided labs, knowledge checks, and comprehensive assessments. Learners earn digital credentials and prepare for IT certifications.
11. IBM SkillsBuild – Offers career-focused learning paths with quizzes, simulations, and hands-on tasks. Topics include cloud computing, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and design thinking. Progress is measured through in-module questions, end-of-path assessments, and Credly-accredited badges.
12. LinkedIn Learning (via Library Access) – Free through many libraries, this platform includes courses in productivity, project management, and communication. Each course is broken into short videos followed by multiple-choice quizzes. Certificates are available for completed courses.
13. SkillUp by Simplilearn – Offers free courses on trending job skills such as cloud computing, Six Sigma, data analytics, and digital marketing. Includes end-of-module quizzes and downloadable completion certificates. Content is designed for working professionals and career changers.
14. TED-Ed – Pairs animated educational videos with follow-up quizzes that prompt learners to reflect, recall, and apply concepts. Topics range from science and literature to social change and personal development. Each lesson includes multiple-choice questions, open reflection prompts, and guided discussion activities.
15. YouTube Learning Channels – While most YouTube content is passive, channels like CrashCourse, SciShow, and Khan Academy link to companion websites with embedded quizzes. Some channels also host live Q&A sessions, practice questions, and lesson recaps to encourage review.
16. Canvas Network – Offers open access university-level courses in education, writing, business, and health. Many include built-in quizzes, discussion boards, and weekly assignments. Canvas courses are structured like college classes with clear learning outcomes and progress checkpoints.
17. Saylor Academy – Offers full online courses in business, computer science, economics, and general education. Most courses include unit quizzes, final exams, and downloadable textbooks. Students can earn free certificates and, in some cases, college credit recommendations.
18. Academic Earth – While lecture-focused, some courses link to external quizzes and include summaries to aid self-assessment. Great for learners seeking a broad overview of a topic with supplemental testing elsewhere.

In summary, online courses that include quizzes offer a more structured and measurable learning experience. Whether you’re aiming to earn a certificate, build professional skills, or simply explore new knowledge, these platforms provide both content and assessment to support meaningful progress. With their wide accessibility, built-in assessments, and diverse topics, these tools make self-paced learning both effective and rewarding for students around the world.