Hosting a quiz night is all fun and laughter—until you lose track of the scores or forget who nailed that impossible bonus question. Whether you’re hosting at home, in the classroom, or for a pub night, keeping answers and scores organised makes the whole event smoother (and way less stressful).
Here are the best ways to keep track of answers and scores, from simple paper tricks to digital solutions that do the hard work for you.
✏️ 1. Go Old School with Answer Sheets
Sometimes, nothing beats pen and paper. Print or draw out answer sheets for each round. Include team names, question numbers, and spaces for their answers.
Why it works:
- Easy to collect and mark after each round.
- Gives teams something physical to doodle or decorate (especially fun for themed quizzes).
- No tech issues, just classic quiz vibes.
💡 Tip: Use coloured paper for each round to make sorting easier later on!
📋 2. Use a Scoreboard Sheet for the Host
Keep a master score sheet with all team names listed down one side and round numbers across the top. After each round, write down each team’s total for quick reference.
Why it works:
- You can see everyone’s progress at a glance.
- Makes announcing round leaders more exciting.
- Great for keeping the competition lively and transparent.
💡 Tip: Add an extra column for “bonus points” if you like throwing in surprise challenges.
💻 3. Try a Spreadsheet for Live Scores
If you’re comfortable with a laptop or tablet nearby, Google Sheets or Excel can be a game-changer. You can set up automatic formulas so totals calculate themselves.
Why it works:
- No need for manual adding of errors.
- Ideal for quizzes with lots of teams.
- Easy to share results instantly if you’re running a virtual quiz.
💡 Tip: Use conditional formatting to highlight the top team in green—it adds a bit of drama!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JzdVvwJlX0tZ4QQDElSrTN8Jm9OzmMVBcctp6oDnXs4/template/preview
📱 4. Use Quiz Apps or Google Forms
If you want to go fully digital, apps like Kahoot, Quizizz, or even Google Forms let players submit answers from their phones. The results come in automatically, ready to score.
Why it works:
- Perfect for remote quizzes or classrooms.
- Automatic tallying saves tons of time.
- Players love the interactive element.
💡 Tip: For DIY hosts, Google Forms is free and easy—just create a form for each round and check responses in real-time.
🪩 5. Whiteboard or Flip Chart Display
If you want to bring a bit of theatre to your quiz, write scores up on a whiteboard or flip chart after each round.
Why it works:
- Everyone can see how they’re doing (and who’s catching up).
- Keeps the energy high.
- Great for in-person events where visibility matters.
💡 Tip: Use fun team icons or emojis instead of boring names, it adds personality!
🧾 6. Bonus: Assign a “Scorekeeper”
If you’re hosting, the last thing you need is to juggle questions, answers, and maths all at once. Nominate a friend to handle the scores—they’ll feel involved, and you’ll have one less thing to stress about.
💡 Tip: Reward your scorekeeper with a little prize at the end, they’ve earned it!
🎯 Final Thoughts
The best method depends on the style of quiz you’re hosting. For a casual night in, paper sheets are charming and easy. For a big crowd or online event, spreadsheets or forms keep things slick and accurate.
No matter what you choose, the goal is simple: keep it fair, keep it fun, and keep the focus on the quiz itself!