Processing and Grading Gradescope Bubble sheets

Gradescope bubble sheet assignments allow students to complete paper based multiple choice exams and for those papers to be scanned and largely automatically marked. This article looks at the steps that happen in Gradescope after students have completed the exam. If you’re looking for guidance on how to set up a bubble sheet check out Setting up Gradescope Bubble sheets.

Processing of papers is completed in two stages. First uploading the scans and then managing submissions to identify any papers which have not been automatically associated with students.

Step 1: Managing scans

Gradescope recommends a maximum of 50 to 80 submissions per pdf upload. Therefore, for large groups we recommend that you scan papers in several smaller batches.

To upload scans follow the instructions below:

  • Open the relevant course unit, locate the assignment and open it to launch the Gradescope Dashboard.
  • Click on the relevant assignment within the Gradescope Dashboard.
  • Next click Manage Scans and then Select PDF Files.
  • Locate and upload your files.
  • Gradescope will process the files, splitting each file into a separate page and matching submissions to each student.

Step 2: Managing submissions and matching unassigned papers

The Manage Submissions screen shows an overview of students on the course. We recommend that you check and match any unassigned papers before grading begins.

In the Manage Submissions screen in Gradescope you will see:

  • Number of submissions (answer sheets uploaded)
  • X/X Students Have Not Been Matched (click on this link to view a list of relevant students).   
  • All, Autoassigned and Unsassigned.  Click on these options to filter the answer sheets shown.
  • You can also use the Search by name field to search using a student name or student ID number.
Screenshot of menu options in Manage Scans screen

Follow the steps below to match any unassigned papers:

  • Click on Unassigned to see a list of any answer sheets that Gradescope has been unable to match. 
  • Under Name & ID region, you will see a preview of the Name and ID number of the answer sheet. 
Image of Name & ID region
  • Check the name shown in the preview.  If you wish to view the full paper click on the icon shown above to (View Page) or Show Details.
  • To assign a paper.  Click on the Enter student name field.  You can search using the dropdown list or by typing in a student name or ID number.
  • Once you’ve located the correct record click on the name to assign it.  The name selected will appear alongside the paper.
  • If you accidentally selected the wrong name or ID use the pencil Edit icon to change an assigned student.

Gradescope will automatically grade bubble sheet assignments as soon as answer sheets are uploaded and matched to students. However, staff will still need to review and confirm uncertain marks via Grade Submissions.

To check for uncertain marks and grade submissions follow the steps below:

  • Open the relevant assignment in Canvas to launch Gradescope.
  • Once Gradescope launches, open the relevant assignment from the Gradescope dashboard.
  • Next, select Grade Submissions from the left menu panel.

We recommend that you review marks on a question by question basis, which makes it easier to save your marking progress.

  • Click on the Uncertain marks link next to the relevant question to open a list of uncertain marks.
  • Gradescope will display a preview of all uncertain marks for the selected question.
  • Underneath the preview an answer bubble will be completed, indicating what Gradescope assumes the student’s intended answer is. If Gradescope has incorrectly interpreted the student’s answer staff can click to select/deselect the assigned answer so it matches the student’s paper.
  • If staff need to access the full submission they can click on the View page icon.
  • Once answers are all checked, click Confirm All Marks.
  • You will return to the grading dashboard, where you can see that the marking has been updated.

The review grades screen provides an overview of graded work. In this screen you can check grades, access statistical information on grading, download summary data and choose options to release grades to your students. To access the Review Grades screen follow the steps below:

  • Open the relevant assignment in Canvas to launch Gradescope.
  • Once Gradescope launches, open the relevant assignment.
  • Next, select Review grades from the left menu panel.
  • You can use the search box to search for an individual by name or student ID number.
  • Click on an individual student name to view that student’s full submission.

The Download Grades option provides a breakdown of student responses by question, summarising the student’s total score for the paper and points scored for each question.

The Download Responses option provides a full breakdown of student responses for each question (including what letter(s) they answered), alongside the correct response, question point weighting and points scored for each question.

Grades can be published (in Gradescope) and released (to Canvas Gradebook) from the Review Grades screen in Gradescope. The process you follow will depend on what information you would like students to be able to access.

Publishing the full marked paper:

If you would like students to see their full graded papers, you will need to publish grades within Gradescope and publish the assignment link within Canvas, to enable students to access Gradescope to view their paper.

  • Open the relevant assignment in Canvas to launch Gradescope.
  • Once Gradescope launches, open the relevant assignment.
  • Next, select Review grades from the left menu panel.
  • Select Publish Grades
  • Once you are ready for students to access the paper in Gradescope, publish the assignment link in Canvas.

Publishing final grade

If you wish to share the final overall mark with students via Canvas, you will first need to publish the assignment in Canvas and then go to Gradescope and post the grades from Gradescope to Canvas.

  • Open the relevant assignment in Canvas to launch Gradescope.
  • Once Gradescope launches, open the relevant assignment.
  • Next, select Review grades from the left menu panel.
  • In the Review grades screen select Post Grades to GradeScope.
  • A popup box will appear confirming which course (Canvas space) and assignment the grades will be posted to.
  • Click Post Grades.
  • Once grades are posted, go to the Grades screen in Canvas to verify that the grades have transferred as expected.
  • Once you are ready to release grades, find the relevant assignment in the Grades screen, click the (…) and choose Post grades.