What questions types do not auto-mark?

Backboard automatically scores many question types, but if you create and deploy a test containing Essay, Short Answer or File Response question types, you will be required to grade these manually before students can see their scores and feedback for the test.

A Grade Centre column is created automatically for each test you add to your site, and when a student takes a test containing Essay, Short Answer or File Response question types, you will see that the test needs grading (indicated with an exclamation mark).

You can access each student’s attempt in turn and enter a mark, feedback or complete a feedback rubric (if associated) for these question types and Submit the attempt for the overall test score to be updated.

Read this article for further information about grading Essay, Short Answer and File Response questions.

If you wish to keep student scores and feedback hidden while grading tests containing Essay, Short Answer or File Response question types, you should hide the Grade Centre column for the test  and make the link to the test unavailable before starting the grading process.

We would recommend that unless a File Response type question forms part of a test containing other questions, you should create an assignment if you would like students to submit their work online.

If your test also contains Fill in the Blank, Fill in Multiple Blank or Quiz Bowl question types which are automatically scored by Blackboard, there is a requirement to manually review responses to Fill in the Blank questions from students known to be dyslexic, unless correct spelling is a pedagogical requirement of the question item. However it is good practice to manually review responses from ALL students, as this may indicate a number of unforeseen correct answers.