Authoring tests

A test in AutoMark contains the questions, their marks and the answer key. The printed paper comes from that same test, so the answer spaces and the marking key stay together. Start on Tests, then choose New test.

Choose a starting point

Build a blank test question by question, paste text from a document, or start from a scanned paper. When importing a scan, identify whether it is a blank paper, an answer key or completed paper, or both. Check the draft before using it: imported questions and answers still need your confirmation.

The first-test walkthrough explains all three routes into the editor.

Write the key alongside the questions

For each question, choose the type, write the instruction, set the marks and enter the correct answer. Multi-part questions carry marks for each part. Check both the individual values and the test total before printing.

Include alternatives you would accept by hand. If both 0.75 and 3/4 answer the question, include both. If the question asks for a particular form, make that clear on the paper. You can add a fair answer discovered during marking using Also correct, which updates the accepted answers and re-marks the run.

AutoMark is built for structured answers. Set aside long-form writing for manual marking rather than expecting the software to judge an argument or essay. See question formats for the available approaches.

Check the printed result

Read the preview as a student would. Check numbering, answer space, question parts and room for names. A correct key cannot rescue an instruction that asks for something different.

Use Print… when the test is ready. Check the pre-flight information, then print the test PDF and keep the answer key separately. Reprint after edits so the paper matches the version you will mark. See printing and versions.

When the papers are completed, start a marking run. You review and confirm every mark before it reaches a student record.