Preparing a test
How to write an answer key for automatic marking
An answer key is a marking decision made before you see the class set. Write down what earns the mark, which alternatives count, and where you need to judge the work yourself. Automatic marking then has a clear rule to apply.
Start with the skill you are assessing
Ask what each question is meant to tell you. A question asking for the value of a fraction is different from one asking a student to simplify a fraction. In the first, a decimal might be acceptable. In the second, the form of the answer may be part of the task.
Make the instruction on the paper match that decision. If students must include a unit, write that in the question. If you need working, give it space and decide how you will assess it. Do not expect the marking software to infer a rule you have not expressed.
List acceptable alternatives deliberately
AutoMark lets a question hold more than one acceptable answer. For a question where either form is valid, you can include both 0.75 and 3/4. For a short written response, consider the other wording you would accept if you were marking by hand.
The following examples illustrate decisions to make while writing your key. They are not extra rules the software automatically invents.
| Question | Decision for the key | Check the paper |
|---|---|---|
| Give the value of three quarters. | Decide whether both 0.75 and 3/4 count. | If only one form is wanted, ask for it. |
| Name a part of a plant. | List the parts that meet the question. | Does the wording require one answer or several? |
| Write the dictated word. | Use the exact spelling being assessed. | Give enough room to write every letter clearly. |
| Explain which solution is more convincing. | Plan to judge the explanation yourself. | Separate it from questions with a defined right answer. |
Set the marks for each part
Check the value of each question and each part of a multi-part question. A three-part question should not accidentally award all its marks for one answer. Read the total alongside the paper and check that it reflects the balance of the test.
Keep extended writing separate. AutoMark is built for structured answers, not essay judgement. A long-answer question can be set aside for you to mark by hand while the structured questions go through the usual workflow.
Treat spelling as its own task
In a spelling test, correcting a word while reading it would remove the very error you are assessing. AutoMark's spelling format reads the answer letter by letter rather than quietly correcting it. Choose the appropriate format and enter the word you intend to assess. Our spelling test guide explains the workflow and its credit cost.
Check imported questions and answers
You can type a test, paste existing text, or start from a scan of a paper. Those routes save re-entry, but the result still needs checking. Confirm question types, the marks available, and every answer read from a scanned key. An imported draft is a starting point for your test.
Use the preview to check numbering, answer space and page breaks. Then print the papers from AutoMark so the layout matches the test definition. If you change the test afterwards, print fresh papers. The first-test walkthrough covers each route into the editor.
When a student gives an answer you did not anticipate
During review, compare the reading with the scan first. A fair alternative answer and a misread answer are different problems. If the student has given a valid answer missing from your key, Also correct adds it to the accepted answers and re-marks the run against it. If you need to make an individual decision, use an override.
You confirm every mark before it is recorded. Check the final results digest before committing, including the student assigned to each paper. For the full sequence, see your first marking run.
A final check before the class sits the test
- Answer every question yourself using the printed instructions.
- Check accepted alternatives against what you actually want to assess.
- Check the marks per question, per part and for the whole test.
- Leave readable space for handwriting and student names.
- Print the current paper from AutoMark and keep the answer key separately.
Ready to try that workflow? AutoMark's beta is currently full; join the waiting list to hear when a place opens, or read how pricing and marking credits work.