Gradescope Bubble Sheet now Available

Gradescope Bubble Sheet, a system that integrates with Canvas and is used primarily for collecting and grading paper assignments, has the capability to score multiple-choice exam bubble sheets. Gradescope bubble sheets are like “Scantron” branded forms, but you can score them yourself. Moreover, since Gradescope links with Canvas, you can post your grades directly without the need to manually transfer them from a report or import a spreadsheet.

The bubble sheet feature is primarily intended for students intending to take an exam on paper. There are other solutions available for students to take exams electronically.

Some Benefits of Gradescope Bubble Sheet Exams

Here are some of the reasons you might consider using Gradescope:

• Integrates with Canvas to post your grades without working with spreadsheets or manual grade entry.
• Control the entire process of the exam yourself, at your own pace.
• Print bubble sheets yourself on plain letter paper (no more expensive forms!).
  • Scan at any scanner available to you, including most copiers.
  • Create and revise your answer key, with instant re-scoring or partial credit.
  • Once tests are scanned, (optionally) return them digitally without a need to hand them back in class or during office hours.
  • Faster turn-around, because there is no waiting on someone else to scan!
• Score multiple versions (up to 5) of an exam as a single assignment.
• Easily add or replace submissions for student accommodations or re-takes.
• Students just write their name and ID (no need to fill in bubbles for them).
• 
• Works well with a wide variety of mark types and writing implements. (No #2 pencil requirement.)
• If the system is ever unsure about a result, it prompts you to review any uncertainties. The below screenshot shows some examples of marks that Gradescope correctly scored automatically but asked for instructor confirmation:

• You retain direct access to the original scans of the student submissions, without risk of a student making additional marks during review or after you return the original.

Process Overview

While steps 1 and 2 can be done after you have provided the exam, we recommend doing it before to make sure you have sufficient time to work out any issues that may come up.

1. Set up Gradescope if you have not done so already.
   1. Enable Gradescope in your Canvas course.
   2. Create and link your Gradescope course(s).
   3. Import your roster into Gradescope.
2. Create the assignment.
   1. Create the assignment in Canvas and provide the point value and submission type (You do not need to provide any directions or upload the exam questions now).
   2. Create the assignment in Gradescope and link it to the Canvas assignment.
   3. Enter your answer key(s) in Gradescope.
3. Print the Gradescope bubble sheet template (You must use this template).
   1. Do not edit the template.
   2. Print just the first page (for up to 100 questions) or both pages (for 101-200 questions).
   3. Print at 100% scaling (do not shrink or enlarge).
4. Administer the exam.
5. Scan your bubble sheets. (Just the bubble sheets.)
   1. It is not necessary to separate the exam versions when scanning. You may scan all submissions in one batch, as they can be sorted during the grading process.
   2. Scan in full color (If available); not grayscale or black and white.
   3. Uploaded files must be in PDF format.
   4. JMU-Owned scanners and copiers on campus typically allow you to scan to email.
   5. If you are not sure where to find a scanner, talk to your area or department’s administrative officer or contact the JMU IT Help Desk for assistance in determining where an available printer may be located.
6. Complete the grading in Gradescope.
   1. Upload the PDF(s) of your scanned tests to Gradescope.
   2. Wait while it processes
      1. Note: depending on the number of tests scanned, this may take several minutes
   3. Follow the on-screen prompts to review:
      1. Did all names match the roster
      2. Are there any uncertain responses to confirm
         1. Optionally: Post scores to Canvas and/or publish feedback in Gradescope.

Additional Notes

• All the standard Gradescope features are available with these assignments but are outside the scope of this document:
• Statistic details, including reliability and per-item discrimination score.
• Question tagging for advanced statistics.
• Assignment re-grade requests.
• Downloading grades or submissions.
• Gradescope does provide the option for students to submit completed tests directly. While this is an option, it is generally not recommended, and especially is not recommended unless students have been uploading to Gradescope consistently for low-stakes assignments.
• You can use Gradescope without using Canvas by going to Gradescope.com, typing “James Madison Univeristy” in the search box provided, and proceeding to sign in with your JMU eID and Password
• You can then upload your course and upload a CSV file of your roster externally.

Detailed directions for the use of Gradescope itself are beyond the scope of this single document. If you want to learn more about Gradescope in general:

• Canvas & Gradescope Instructor Guide
• Canvas & Gradescope Student Guide
• Try the Gradescope Getting Started guide.

• What exactly is Gradescope
• How does Gradescope works