How to Create Quizzes with Google NotebookLM in 2026: Complete Tutorial

Open any modern web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Search for "notebook LM" on google.com to access the official platform.

The search results will display the official NotebookLM website, typically appearing at or near the top of the results page. Look for results showing "notebooklm.google.com" or similar official Google domains. Click on the NotebookLM link to proceed to the platform's homepage.

Ensure you're clicking on the official Google NotebookLM site and not third-party alternatives. This step corresponds to the opening moments of the video (0:00-0:45), where the instructor demonstrates the initial navigation process.

After clicking the search result, you'll land on the NotebookLM homepage. This page serves as the gateway to all of NotebookLM's powerful AI learning features, designed with simplicity in mind.

Locate the prominently displayed Try Notebook LM button on the homepage, typically positioned in a central or upper portion of the page. Click this button to proceed to the main application interface.

This action will either log you in with your existing Google account or prompt you to sign in if you haven't already. The platform uses your Google credentials for authentication, ensuring a secure and personalized experience. Once authenticated, you'll be ready to begin creating your first notebook. This stage of the process is covered in the video from approximately 0:45 to 1:04.

After successfully accessing the NotebookLM interface, you'll arrive at the main dashboard where all your notebooks are stored and organized. Look for a button labeled Create new or New notebook on the main interface, typically positioned prominently in the upper portion of the screen.

Click the Create new button to initialize a fresh notebook. This action opens up a new workspace where you'll upload source materials and begin your personalized learning experience. The system will prepare a blank canvas ready to receive your study documents.

Creating a new notebook is the foundation for all subsequent actions in NotebookLM. Each notebook can contain multiple sources and will serve as a dedicated space for a specific subject or learning project. This step is demonstrated in the video between 1:04 and 1:17.

After creating your new notebook, you'll be presented with options to add content. Locate the prompt or button that says Upload a source or similar language. This is your gateway to bringing external learning materials into the NotebookLM environment.

Click on this upload option to open the file selection dialog. NotebookLM supports various file formats including PDFs, text documents, Google Docs, and web URLs. A file browser window will appear, allowing you to navigate your computer's file system and select the document or documents you want to use as your study material.

You can upload lecture notes, textbook chapters, research papers, or any other educational content you wish to learn from. Once you've selected your file, confirm the upload. The system will begin processing your document, extracting the text and content to prepare it for AI-powered learning features. This portion of the process is covered in the video from 1:17 to 1:42.

After initiating the upload, NotebookLM will process your source material. The AI analyzes the content to understand the structure, key concepts, and information contained within your document. This processing typically takes only a few moments, depending on the size and complexity of your source material.

You'll see indicators on the screen showing that your document is being uploaded and processed. These might appear as progress bars, loading animations, or status messages. Wait for the system to complete this analysis before proceeding to the next step.

Once processing is complete, your source material will appear in the notebook interface with a representation of your uploaded document, often with a thumbnail or title displayed in the sources section. The interface will confirm that your content is now ready to be used for learning and quiz generation. This confirmation stage is referenced in the video around 1:42 to 2:00.

With your source material successfully uploaded, you'll be positioned at the main notebook interface. This workspace is the central hub where all NotebookLM's features become accessible. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the layout and available options.

The interface typically displays your uploaded sources on one side, with workspace and interaction areas in the main viewing section. You may see various buttons, panels, or menus offering different functionality. The design prioritizes ease of use while providing access to powerful AI learning tools.

From here, you can ask questions about your sources, generate summaries, create study guides, and access the quiz feature. The interface is designed to feel empowering, giving you complete control over your learning materials. The video discusses this interface overview from approximately 2:00 to 2:14.

Locate the Quiz button in the bottom right-hand corner of the notebook interface. This button is specifically designed to create knowledge-testing questions based on your uploaded content.

Click the Quiz button to initiate the quiz generation process. The AI will analyze your source material and automatically create relevant questions that test your understanding of the key concepts. This happens in seconds, showcasing the power of NotebookLM's AI capabilities.

The system generates a complete quiz with multiple questions drawn directly from your source content. These questions are designed to test comprehension, recall, and understanding of the material you've uploaded. The quiz format helps reinforce learning by actively engaging you with the content rather than passive reading. This critical step is demonstrated in the video from 2:14 to 2:39.

Once your quiz has been generated, you can begin taking it to test your knowledge. The quiz interface will present questions one at a time or all together, depending on the format. Each question is directly derived from the content in your uploaded sources, ensuring relevance to your study materials.

Answer each question to the best of your ability. The quiz may include multiple-choice questions, true/false statements, or other formats designed to assess your understanding. Take your time with each question and think carefully about the concepts being tested.

After completing the quiz, you'll receive feedback on your answers. This feedback helps you identify areas where your understanding is strong and areas that may need additional review. The immediate feedback loop is a powerful learning tool that accelerates knowledge retention. The video discusses the quiz functionality and its learning benefits from 2:39 to 2:54.

After taking your first quiz, review the results and identify knowledge gaps. The quiz results illuminate specific areas within your source material that may require more attention or deeper study. This targeted approach to learning is far more efficient than re-reading entire documents.

Return to your source materials to review sections where you answered incorrectly or felt uncertain. NotebookLM's interface makes it easy to navigate back to specific portions of your uploaded documents. Use the quiz feedback as a roadmap for focused studying.

Generate new quizzes at any time by clicking the quiz button again. The AI may create different questions on subsequent attempts, providing varied practice opportunities. Regular quiz-taking reinforces learning through spaced repetition and active recall, two scientifically proven learning strategies. This iterative learning process is emphasized in the video from 2:54 to 3:17.