# Create a Student Account
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/student/create-student-account
Sign up for GradingPal and join your teacher's class
This guide explains how to create a GradingPal student account and join your teacher's class.
***
## Getting Started
You'll need one of the following from your teacher:
* A **class code** (like "ABC123")
* An **invite link** (URL that starts with gradingpal.ai/invite)
* An **email invitation** (sent to your email address)
***
## Option 1: Join with a Class Code
Go to [gradingpal.ai/signup/student](https://gradingpal.ai/signup/student)
Sign up using:
* **Google** (recommended if you have a school Google account)
* **Email** (enter your email and click the link sent to you)
Enter the **class code** your teacher provided
Confirm your name and join the class
***
## Option 2: Join with an Invite Link
Click the invite link your teacher shared
You'll be taken directly to the signup page with your class pre-selected
Sign up using Google or email
Confirm your name and you're enrolled
***
## Option 3: Join from an Email Invitation
Open the email invitation from GradingPal
Click **Join Class** in the email
Sign up or log in to your account
You'll be automatically added to the class
***
## Completing Your Profile
After signing up, you'll set up your profile:
1. **Enter your name** - Use your real first and last name so your teacher can identify you
2. **Add a profile photo** (optional) - Helps personalize your account
3. Click **Complete Setup**
***
## Joining Multiple Classes
If you have multiple teachers using GradingPal:
1. Log in to your existing account
2. Click **Join a Class** from your dashboard
3. Enter the new class code or use the invite link
4. The new class appears on your dashboard
***
## Using Your School Google Account
If your school uses Google Workspace:
1. Click **Sign up with Google**
2. Choose your school Google account
3. Your name is automatically pulled from your Google profile
4. GradingPal doesn't access your Drive or email—just your name and profile picture
***
## Troubleshooting
* Check that you typed the code exactly as given (codes are case-sensitive)
* Ask your teacher to confirm the class code
* The code might have expired—ask for a new one
* You may already have an account
* Try logging in instead of signing up
* Use the "Forgot password" link if you can't remember your password
* Check your spam/junk folder
* Add [noreply@gradingpal.ai](mailto:noreply@gradingpal.ai) to your contacts
* Try signing up with Google instead
* Refresh your dashboard
* Make sure you're logged in with the correct account
* Contact your teacher to verify you're enrolled
***
## Privacy & Safety
* Your submissions are only visible to your teacher
* Other students cannot see your grades or feedback
* Your account is connected to your teacher's class only while enrolled
* You can leave a class at any time from your settings
***
## Next Steps
Once you've joined your class:
See what work is due
Upload assignments directly
View grades and comments when returned
***
## Related Articles
* [View Assignments](/student/view-assignments)
* [Submit Your Work](/student/submit-your-work)
* [View Scores & Feedback](/student/view-scores-feedback)
# Submit Your Work
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/student/submit-your-work
How to upload and submit assignments in GradingPal
This guide explains how to submit assignments in GradingPal.
***
## Finding Your Assignments
Log in to GradingPal at [gradingpal.ai](https://gradingpal.ai)
Your dashboard shows all your enrolled classes
Click on a class to see its assignments
Assignments show:
* Assignment name
* Due date (if set)
* Your submission status
***
## Submitting an Assignment
Click on the assignment you want to submit
You'll see the assignment details and instructions
Click **Submit** or **Upload**
Choose your file:
* **From your device** - Select a file from your computer
* **From Google Drive** - Pick a file from your Google Drive
Confirm and submit
***
## Supported File Types
Different assignment types accept different files:
| Assignment Type | Accepted Files |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Writing & Essays** | PDF, Word (.doc, .docx), images |
| **Video & Audio** | MP4, MOV, WebM, MP3, WAV |
| **Presentations** | PDF, PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) |
| **Art & Design** | Images (JPG, PNG, HEIC) |
| **Quizzes/Exams** | PDF, images |
If you try to upload the wrong file type, you'll see an error message explaining what formats are accepted.
***
## Submission Status
After submitting, your assignment will show one of these statuses:
| Status | What It Means |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Submitted** | Your work was received and is being graded |
| **Grading** | AI is currently reviewing your submission |
| **Graded** | Grading is complete; waiting for teacher review |
| **Returned** | Your teacher has returned your graded work |
***
## Resubmitting Work
If your teacher allows multiple submissions:
1. Go to the assignment
2. Click **Submit Again** or **Resubmit**
3. Upload your updated file
4. Your new submission replaces the previous one for grading
Your teacher may limit the number of times you can resubmit. Check the assignment details or ask your teacher.
***
## Late Submissions
If the due date has passed:
* **If late submissions are allowed**: You can still submit, but your work may be marked as late
* **If late submissions are blocked**: You'll see a message that submissions are closed
Contact your teacher if you need to submit late and can't.
***
## Uploading from Google Drive
Click **Submit** on the assignment
Choose **Google Drive**
Sign in to Google if prompted
Browse or search for your file
Select the file and confirm
This works with:
* Google Docs
* Google Slides
* Files you've uploaded to Drive
***
## Tips for Successful Submissions
### Before Submitting
* **Check the file type** - Make sure your file format is accepted
* **Review your work** - You may not be able to resubmit
* **Check the file size** - Very large files may take longer to upload
* **Name your file clearly** - Include your name or the assignment title
### If Something Goes Wrong
* **Upload failed** - Check your internet connection and try again
* **Wrong file submitted** - Resubmit with the correct file if allowed
* **File won't open** - Try saving in a different format (PDF usually works)
***
## What Happens After You Submit
GradingPal converts your file if needed
The AI reviews your work based on your teacher's rubric
Your teacher checks the AI grades and feedback
You receive your graded work with feedback
Grading typically takes a few minutes, but your teacher may take additional time to review before returning.
***
## Viewing Past Submissions
To see your submission history:
1. Click on the assignment
2. Scroll to see your submissions
3. Click on any submission to view details
You can see:
* When you submitted
* What file you submitted
* Status of each submission
***
## Troubleshooting
* The assignment may not be published yet
* The due date may have passed with late submissions disabled
* Check that you're enrolled in the class
* Try a smaller file
* Check your internet connection
* Try a different browser
* Save your file as PDF and try again
* Resubmit if allowed
* If resubmission is disabled, contact your teacher immediately
***
## Related Articles
* [Create a Student Account](/student/create-student-account)
* [View Scores & Feedback](/student/view-scores-feedback)
# View Assignments
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/student/view-assignments
See all your assignments organized by status and class
See all your assignments organized by status and class.
***
## Accessing Your Assignments
Log in to your GradingPal account
Click on a class from your dashboard
View assignments in the **Active** or **Past** tabs
***
## Assignment Categories
### Active Assignments
An assignment appears in the **Active** tab when:
* The due date hasn't passed yet, **OR**
* Late submissions are allowed and the late deadline hasn't passed
* **AND** your submission hasn't been graded yet
Even if you've already submitted, the assignment stays active until it's graded—allowing you to resubmit if permitted.
### Past Assignments
An assignment moves to the **Past** tab when:
* The submission deadline has passed (including any late submission window), **OR**
* Your submission has been graded and returned
***
## Assignment Status Indicators
| Status | Meaning |
| --------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Not started** | You haven't turned in work yet |
| **Submitted** | Your work is awaiting grading |
| **Graded** | Feedback and scores are available |
| **Late** | Submitted after the due date |
***
## Next Steps
Learn how to turn in assignments
Check your grades and comments
# View Scores & Feedback
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/student/view-scores-feedback
Access your grades and detailed feedback after your teacher returns your work
Once your teacher returns your graded work, you can view your scores and feedback in GradingPal.
***
## Finding Your Graded Work
Log in to GradingPal
Go to your class
Click on the assignment
If your work has been returned, you'll see **View Feedback** or your score
Alternatively, assignments marked "Graded" on your dashboard are ready to view.
***
## Understanding Your Grades
### Overall Score
At the top of your graded submission, you'll see:
* Your **total points** earned
* The **maximum points** possible
* Your **percentage** (if shown)
Some teachers hide point values so you focus on the feedback instead.
### Per-Criterion Scores
For most assignments, you'll see scores broken down by rubric criteria:
| Element | Description |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Criterion Name** | What was being evaluated (e.g., "Thesis Statement") |
| **Your Level** | Which rubric level you achieved (e.g., "Proficient") |
| **Points** | Points earned for this criterion |
| **Feedback** | Specific comments about your work |
### Question Scores (Quizzes/Exams)
For quizzes, exams, and structured assignments:
* Each question shows your score
* You can see which questions you got right or wrong
* Feedback explains the correct answer or where you lost points
***
## Reading Your Feedback
### Overall Feedback
Your teacher may add overall comments at the top, summarizing:
* General impressions of your work
* Key takeaways
* Suggestions for future assignments
### Feedback Styles
Your feedback might appear in different styles depending on what your teacher selected:
* Direct comments on specific parts of your work
* Similar to Google Docs-style annotations
* Shows exactly where you earned or lost points
* **Glows**: What you did well (your strengths)
* **Grows**: Areas for improvement
* Detailed feedback organized by each rubric criterion
* Clear breakdown of how you performed on each section
* Starts with positives, then constructive feedback, ends with positives
* Balanced approach that highlights growth areas while acknowledging strengths
* Specific, step-by-step suggestions for improvement
* Concrete next steps you can take to improve your work
* Feedback through guiding questions
* Prompts self-reflection to help you understand your work deeper
***
## Viewing Your Submitted Work
On the graded submission page:
* **Left side**: Your original submitted work (document, video, etc.)
* **Right side**: Scores and feedback
You can:
* Scroll through your document
* Play videos or audio
* View images at full size
This lets you see exactly what the AI and teacher evaluated.
***
## If Points Are Hidden
Your teacher may choose to hide point values. In this case:
* You'll see feedback but not numerical scores
* This helps you focus on improving, not just the grade
* Your teacher can still see your scores
***
## What to Do With Your Feedback
### Review Carefully
1. Read all feedback, not just the score
2. Note patterns—do you see the same comments across assignments?
3. Highlight suggestions you can apply to future work
### Ask Questions
If you don't understand your feedback:
* Ask your teacher for clarification
* Review the rubric to understand expectations
* Compare your work to the rubric criteria
### Improve Next Time
Use feedback to:
* Identify your strengths to keep building on
* Focus on areas that need work
* Set specific goals for your next assignment
***
## Troubleshooting
* Your teacher may not have returned it yet
* Check that the assignment status shows "Returned"
* Ask your teacher if they've finished grading
* Scroll to see all criteria
* Check for an "Overall Feedback" section at the top
* Some criteria may not have additional comments if you scored well
* Review the rubric to understand the scoring
* Compare your work to the feedback
* Politely ask your teacher to explain or reconsider
* Older assignments should still be visible in your class
* If you left a class, you may lose access
* Contact your teacher if you need past grades
***
## Privacy
Your grades and feedback are private:
* Only you and your teacher can see your scores
* Other students cannot view your submissions or grades
* Your work is stored securely in GradingPal
***
## Related Articles
* [Create a Student Account](/student/create-student-account)
* [Submit Your Work](/student/submit-your-work)
# Assignment Settings
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/assignment-management/assignment-settings
Configure submission behavior and how students interact with their grades
Each assignment has configurable settings that control submission behavior and how students interact with their grades.
***
## Accessing Assignment Settings
Go to your assignment page
Click the **Settings** tab
Configure your settings
Click **Save Changes**
***
## Available Settings
### Allow Late Submissions
Controls whether students can submit after the due date.
| Setting | Behavior |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Enabled** | Students can submit after the due date |
| **Disabled** | Submissions are blocked once the due date passes |
When enabled, you can also set an optional **Late Submission Deadline**:
* If set: Students can submit until this date, then submissions are blocked
* If not set: Students can submit indefinitely after the due date
### Hide Points
Controls whether students can see the numerical scores for this assignment.
| Setting | Behavior |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Enabled** | Students see feedback but not point values |
| **Disabled** | Students see both feedback and point values (default) |
This is useful when you want students to focus on the feedback rather than the grade.
### Maximum Submission Attempts
Sets how many times a student can submit to this assignment.
| Setting | Behavior |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **1** | Single submission only (default) |
| **2+** | Students can resubmit up to this many times |
**Use multiple attempts for:**
* Draft and revision workflows
* Allowing students to improve their work
* Practice assignments
***
## How Settings Affect Grading
| Setting | Impact on AI Grading |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Allow Late Submissions | Late submissions are graded normally; AI doesn't penalize for lateness |
| Hide Points | Points are still calculated; just hidden from students |
| Max Attempts | Each submission is graded independently |
GradingPal does not automatically deduct points for late submissions. If you want to apply late penalties, you would adjust the grade manually after reviewing.
***
## Saving Settings
* Changes appear as "(Unsaved)" next to modified settings
* Click **Save Changes** to apply
* The button shows "No Changes" when everything is saved
***
## Default Settings
When you create a new assignment, default settings are:
| Setting | Default |
| ---------------------- | -------- |
| Allow Late Submissions | Disabled |
| Hide Points | Disabled |
| Max Attempts | 1 |
You can change these for each assignment as needed.
***
## Related Articles
* [Edit Assignment Details & Rubric](/teacher/assignment-management/edit-assignment-details-rubric)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
* [Return Submissions & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/return-submissions-feedback)
# Duplicate Assignment
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/assignment-management/duplicate-assignment
Copy an assignment to another class or create a similar assignment quickly
Save time by duplicating an existing assignment to another class (or the same class). Duplicating copies the assignment details, rubric, and settings—you just need to upload new student submissions.
***
## When to Duplicate
Create once, duplicate to other classes
Duplicate and modify as needed
***
## How to Duplicate
Go to the assignment you want to duplicate
Click **Actions** in the top right
Select **Duplicate Assignment**
Choose the destination class from the list
Click **Duplicate**
***
## Selecting a Destination Class
The dialog shows all your classes. The current class appears first and is labeled "(Current)".
You can duplicate to:
* **The same class** - Creates a copy in the current class
* **A different class** - Creates the assignment in another class you teach
***
## After Duplicating
Once duplication completes:
You're automatically redirected to the new assignment
Review and adjust the title if needed (e.g., add section number)
**Review the dates** - they're copied from the original, so update if needed for your new class
Publish to Google Classroom separately if needed
Upload submissions when ready
***
## What Gets Copied
| Item | Copied? |
| -------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Assignment title | Yes |
| Assignment description | Yes |
| Rubric (all criteria and levels) | Yes |
| Feedback settings | Yes |
| Due date/publish date | Yes (review and update) |
| Assignment settings | Yes |
| **Submissions and grades** | No - never copied |
| **Google Classroom connection** | No - publish separately |
***
## Limitations
* You cannot duplicate an assignment to a class you don't own
* Google Classroom connections are not duplicated (you'll need to publish to GC separately if needed)
* Submissions and grades are never copied
***
## Tips
Add a section number or semester to distinguish copies (e.g., "Essay 1 - Period 2")
Dates are copied from the original. If the original due date has passed, update the dates for your new class schedule.
If you've made improvements to your rubric, the duplicate will have the improved version.
You'll need to publish to Google Classroom separately for the new class if needed.
***
## Related Articles
* [Reuse Rubric](/teacher/assignment-management/reuse-rubric)
* [Edit Assignment Details & Rubric](/teacher/assignment-management/edit-assignment-details-rubric)
* [Select Assignment Type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type)
* [Google Classroom Integration](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
# Edit Assignment Details & Rubric
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/assignment-management/edit-assignment-details-rubric
Modify assignment information, rubric criteria, and feedback settings after creation
After creating an assignment, you can edit its details, description, rubric, and feedback settings at any time.
***
## Accessing Edit Mode
Go to your assignment page
Click **Actions** in the top right
Select **Edit Assignment**
***
## What You Can Edit
### Assignment Details
| Field | Description |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Title** | The assignment name (minimum 5 characters) |
| **Description** | The full assignment prompt or instructions |
| **Due Date** | When students should submit by |
| **Publish Date** | When the assignment becomes visible to students |
| **Max Points** | Total possible points for the assignment |
### Feedback Settings
Adjust how the AI generates feedback:
| Setting | Options |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Feedback Style** | Targeted, Glow & Grow, or other styles |
| **Feedback Length** | Concise or Detailed |
| **Feedback Leniency** | Lenient, Balanced, or Tough |
| **Additional Instructions** | Custom instructions for the AI grader |
### Rubric
For Writing & Multi-Media assignments, you can edit the rubric criteria:
* Modify criterion names and descriptions
* Add or remove criteria
* Change point values for each level
* Edit level descriptions
**For Structured Assignments (Exams, Quizzes, etc.):**
Editing is not currently supported — see [limitations below](#after-submissions-are-graded).
***
## Editing Restrictions
### When Submissions Are In Progress
If submissions are currently being graded (status: "In Progress"), editing is temporarily blocked. Wait for grading to complete before making changes.
### After Submissions Are Graded
You can edit assignments after submissions have been graded. When you make grading-relevant changes, the system automatically handles regrading:
**For Writing & Multi-Media Assignments:**
* When you save changes to the **rubric** (criteria, levels, points) or **assignment details** (title, description, additional instructions) or **feedback settings** (style, length, leniency), existing grading data is automatically cleared
* **All affected submissions are automatically regraded** with the new settings
* Regrading happens in the background — you'll see a notification when it starts
* No manual regrading is needed
**For Structured Assignments (Exams, Quizzes, Problem Sets, Worksheets):**
**Current Limitation:** Editing assignment details and rubrics for Structured Assignments is not yet supported. Once a Structured Assignment is created, its details and rubric cannot be modified. This is a known limitation we are actively working to address. For now, if you need to make changes, you will need to create a new assignment.
Display-only changes (like reordering rubric levels) do not trigger regrading.
***
## Saving Changes
1. Make your edits
2. Click **Save Changes**
3. Changes take effect immediately
If you navigate away without saving, your changes will be lost.
***
## Publishing Options
When editing, you can also adjust the publish status:
| Option | Description |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Publish Now** | Make the assignment immediately visible to students |
| **Schedule** | Set a future publish date |
| **Keep as Draft** | Assignment remains hidden from students |
If the assignment is already published, you can still edit it, but changes are immediately visible to students.
***
## Best Practices
Make all edits while the assignment is still a draft when possible.
If editing during the assignment wizard, make all your rubric, details, and feedback changes before clicking "Finish Setup" — regrading will happen once with all your final settings.
If you modify an assignment after students have started, let them know what changed.
Grade one or two submissions first to verify your rubric works as expected before grading the whole class.
After making changes that trigger regrading, wait for it to finish before making additional edits.
***
## Related Articles
* [Assignment Settings](/teacher/assignment-management/assignment-settings)
* [Reuse Rubric](/teacher/assignment-management/reuse-rubric)
* [Duplicate Assignment](/teacher/assignment-management/duplicate-assignment)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
# Reuse Rubric
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/assignment-management/reuse-rubric
Save time by importing rubrics from previous assignments or existing documents
Save time when creating new assignments by reusing rubrics from previous assignments or importing rubrics from existing documents.
***
## Ways to Reuse a Rubric
When creating or editing an assignment's rubric, you have two options for reusing existing rubrics:
Copy a rubric from one of your previous assignments
Extract a rubric from a document (PDF, Word, etc.) you already have
***
## Reusing an Existing Rubric
During assignment setup, on the rubric step:
Click **Use Existing**
Select **Reuse Existing** from the dropdown
Browse your previous rubrics. Each rubric shows:
* Assignment name it came from
* Class name
* Number of criteria
Click to select a rubric
The rubric is copied to your new assignment
### What Gets Copied
* All criteria names and descriptions
* All levels with their point values
* Level descriptions
The copied rubric is independent—editing it won't affect the original assignment.
***
## Importing a Rubric from File
If you have a rubric in a document (like a PDF handout or Word file):
Click **Use Existing**
Select **Import from File**
Choose your source:
* **From your Device** - Upload a file from your computer
* **From Google Drive** - Select a file from your Google Drive
Wait for the AI to extract the rubric
Review the extracted rubric and edit as needed
### Supported File Types
* PDF documents
* Word documents (.doc, .docx)
* Google Docs (via Google Drive)
* Text files
### Extraction Tips
For best results, your document should have:
* Clear criteria names
* Defined performance levels (e.g., "Excellent", "Proficient", "Developing")
* Point values or score ranges
* Descriptions for each level
The AI reads the document and extracts a structured rubric. If extraction doesn't capture everything, you can edit the rubric manually after import.
***
## When Each Option Works Best
| Scenario | Recommended Option |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Same rubric as last semester | Reuse Existing |
| Standard rubric your department uses | Import from File |
| Rubric from a colleague (shared doc) | Import from File |
| Slight variation of a previous rubric | Reuse Existing, then edit |
| Building on an existing document | Import from File |
***
## Editing After Import
After reusing or importing a rubric, you can:
* Add or remove criteria
* Change point values
* Edit descriptions
* Add or remove performance levels
* Rename levels
Changes only affect the current assignment—original rubrics remain unchanged.
***
## No Rubrics Available?
If "Reuse Existing" is disabled, you haven't created any assignments with rubrics yet. You can:
1. Create a rubric manually
2. Generate one with AI
3. Import from a file
***
## Related Articles
* [Set Up Writing & Multi-Media Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-writing-multimedia-assignments)
* [Set Up Structured Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-structured-assignments)
* [Edit Assignment Details & Rubric](/teacher/assignment-management/edit-assignment-details-rubric)
* [Duplicate Assignment](/teacher/assignment-management/duplicate-assignment)
# Class Settings
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/classes-and-students/class-settings
Configure enrollment options and LMS sync preferences for your class
Class settings let you configure how your class behaves, including enrollment options and LMS sync preferences.
***
## Accessing Class Settings
Open your class from the teacher dashboard
Navigate to the **Settings** tab
***
## Settings for Google Classroom Classes
Classes imported from Google Classroom have additional settings to control the integration.
### Automatic Assignment Sync
| Setting | Description |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **On** (default) | New assignments created in GradingPal are automatically published to Google Classroom |
| **Off** | Assignments stay in GradingPal only—you can manually publish to Google Classroom when ready |
**When to turn this off:**
* You want to draft assignments in GradingPal before students see them in Google Classroom
* You prefer to manually control when assignments appear in Google Classroom
### Allow Manual Student Enrollment
| Setting | Description |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **On** | Students can join using class codes, invite links, or email invites. Note: Students who join manually won't have their Google Classroom submissions synced. |
| **Off** (default) | Students must be enrolled through Google Classroom for proper submission syncing |
**When to turn this on:**
* You have students who aren't in your Google Classroom roster
* You want to allow guest access to specific students
## Saving Changes
After modifying any setting:
The **Save Changes** button will turn blue when you've made changes
Click **Save Changes** to apply your updates
The button will return to gray when changes are saved
Changes take effect immediately after saving.
***
## Related Articles
* [Create a New Class](/teacher/classes-and-students/create-a-new-class)
* [Enroll Students](/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students)
* [Google Classroom Integration](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
# Create a New Class
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/classes-and-students/create-a-new-class
Set up classes to organize students and assignments in GradingPal
Classes are how you organize students and assignments in GradingPal. You can create classes manually or import them from Google Classroom.
***
## Option 1: Import from Google Classroom
If you use Google Classroom, importing is the fastest way to get started. Your class roster and student information will sync automatically.
Import classes and sync rosters automatically
***
## Option 2: Create a Class Manually
### Step 1: Open the New Class Dialog
From your teacher dashboard, click the **New Class** button.
### Step 2: Choose "Create Class Manually"
You'll see two options:
* **Import from Google Classroom** - Sync an existing class
* **Create Class Manually** - Set up a new class from scratch
Click **Create Class Manually**.
### Step 3: Fill in Class Details
Enter the following information:
| Field | Required | Description |
| ---------------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Class Name** | Yes | A descriptive name for your class (e.g., "US History - Period 2", "AP English 11") |
| **Grade Levels** | Yes | Select one or more grade levels (K–12, College, Adult) |
| **Subject** | Yes | Choose the primary subject area |
| **Standard Set** | No | Optionally select a standards framework (e.g., Common Core, state standards) |
| **Timezone** | Yes | Defaults to your profile timezone; used for assignment due dates |
### Step 4: Create the Class
Click **Create Class**. Your new class will appear on your dashboard, ready for you to add students and create assignments.
***
## After Creating Your Class
Once your class is created, you'll want to:
[Enroll students](/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students) via class code, invite link, email, or CSV import.
[Select an assignment type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type) and set up your rubric.
[Create folders](/teacher/classes-and-students/organize-assignments-folders) to organize assignments by unit, quarter, or type.
***
## Tips
Include the period or section in your class name to easily distinguish between multiple sections of the same course (e.g., "Biology - Period 3" vs "Biology - Period 5").
You can select multiple grades if your class spans grade levels.
Setting a standard framework helps GradingPal align feedback with relevant standards when grading.
***
## Related Articles
* [Enroll Students](/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students)
* [Class Settings](/teacher/classes-and-students/class-settings)
* [Organize Assignments with Folders](/teacher/classes-and-students/organize-assignments-folders)
* [Google Classroom Integration](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
# Enroll Students to My Class
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students
Multiple ways to add students to your GradingPal class
There are several ways to add students to your class in GradingPal. Choose the method that works best for your classroom setup.
***
## Option 1: Share a Class Code
Every class has a unique join code that students can use to enroll themselves.
### Find Your Class Code
You can access the class join code from two places:
**From the Home Dashboard:**
1. Find your class on the dashboard
2. Click the **options menu** (three dots) on the class card
3. Select **Show Join Code**
**From the Students Page:**
1. Open your class and go to the **Students** tab
2. Click **Add Students**
3. Select **Show Join Code**
### Share the Code with Students
The join code dialog displays the code in a large, easy-to-read format that you can project or share with your class.
### How Students Join
Students go to **app.gradingpal.ai/join**
Enter the class code
Sign up or log in to their GradingPal account
They're automatically enrolled in your class
***
## Option 2: Copy Invite Link
Get a shareable link that students can use to join your class.
### Steps
1. Open your class and go to the **Students** tab
2. Click **Add Students**
3. Select **Copy Invite Link**
4. The link is copied to your clipboard—share it via your preferred method (LMS, chat, website, etc.)
When students click the link, they'll be prompted to sign up or log in, then automatically enrolled in your class.
***
## Option 3: Send Email Invitations
Send invitation emails directly to your students. They'll receive a link to join your class.
### Steps
Open your class and go to the **Students** tab, then click **Add Students**
Select **Invite via Email**
Enter student email addresses, separated by commas, spaces, or semicolons
Click **Send invitations**
Students will receive an email with a link to join your class. If they already have a GradingPal account, they'll be enrolled immediately after clicking the link. New users will be prompted to create an account first.
### Tips for Email Invitations
* You can paste a list of emails from a spreadsheet
* Already-enrolled students will be skipped automatically
* You'll see a confirmation of how many invitations were sent
***
## Option 4: Import from CSV or Excel
Bulk import students from a spreadsheet file.
### Steps
Open your class → **Students** tab → **Add Students** → **Import from CSV/Excel**
Click **Select File** and choose your CSV or Excel file
Review the imported student list—you can edit names, emails, or remove rows
Toggle **Send invitation email to all students** if you want to notify them
Click **Add Students** to enroll them
### File Format
Your CSV or Excel file should include student email addresses. First name and last name columns are optional but recommended.
| Column | Required | Example |
| -------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Email** | Yes | [student@school.edu](mailto:student@school.edu) |
| **First Name** | No | Jane |
| **Last Name** | No | Smith |
### Tips for Bulk Import
* You can edit any row after importing before adding students
* Add additional rows manually using the **Add Row** button
* Remove unwanted rows using the trash icon
* Control invitation emails per-student or toggle all at once
***
## Option 5: Add Students Manually
Add individual students by entering their information directly.
### Steps
1. Open your class
2. Click **Add Student**
3. Enter the student's email address (required)
4. Optionally enter their first and last name
5. Choose whether to send an email invitation
6. Click **Add student**
| Field | Required | Description |
| ------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Email address** | Yes | The student's email (used for login) |
| **First name** | No | Student's first name |
| **Last name** | No | Student's last name |
| **Send invitation** | Optional | Email the student a link to join (checked by default) |
### When to Use Manual Entry
* Adding a single student who joined late
* Creating placeholder entries for students who will submit work later (Teacher-Only Mode)
* When you have student names but they won't be creating accounts
***
## Option 6: Import from Google Classroom
If you imported your class from Google Classroom, your student roster syncs automatically.
Learn how Google Classroom sync works
***
## Managing Your Roster
### View Enrolled Students
Navigate to your class to see all enrolled students, their email addresses, and their status.
### Student Status
Each student in your roster has one of two statuses:
| Status | What It Means |
| ----------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Pending** | The student has been added to the class by the teacher but hasn't signed up for a GradingPal account yet. |
| **Active** | The student has signed up and has an active account on GradingPal via the Student interface. |
#### What Teachers Can Do with Pending Students
When a student is in **Pending** status:
* ✅ You can upload submissions on their behalf
* ✅ You can grade their work
* ❌ The student cannot log in to view their grades or feedback
Once the student creates their GradingPal account using the same email address, their status changes to **Active** and they can access all their grades and feedback through the Student interface.
### Remove a Student
To remove a student from your class:
Go to the **Students** tab in your class
Find the student in the roster table
Click the **red trash icon** in the Action column
Type the student's email address to confirm
Click **Remove Student**
Removing a student will hide their submissions from view. Their submission data is preserved in the database, but you won't be able to see or grade their work once they're removed from the class.
***
## Troubleshooting
Direct them to **app.gradingpal.ai/join** and have them enter the class code exactly as shown.
* Check that the email address was entered correctly
* Ask them to check their spam/junk folder
* Try resending the invitation or share the class code instead
This means they've been added but haven't created a GradingPal account yet. They'll be fully enrolled once they sign up using the same email address.
***
## Related Articles
* [Create a New Class](/teacher/classes-and-students/create-a-new-class)
* [Class Settings](/teacher/classes-and-students/class-settings)
* [Google Classroom Integration](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
* [Student Signup Guide](/student/create-student-account)
# Organize Assignments Using Folders
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/classes-and-students/organize-assignments-folders
Group assignments by unit, quarter, or type with folders
Folders help you organize assignments within a class—group them by unit, quarter, assignment type, or any system that works for you.
***
## Creating a Folder
Open your class from the dashboard
Click **New folder** in the assignments header
Enter a folder name (e.g., "Unit 1: Civil War", "Quarter 1", "Essays")
Click **Create folder**
Your new folder will appear in the assignments list, ready for you to add assignments.
***
## Moving Assignments to a Folder
You can move any assignment into a folder:
Find the assignment you want to move
Click the **actions menu** (three dots) on the assignment row
Select **Move to folder**
Choose the destination folder (or "Unassigned" to remove from a folder)
***
## Managing Folders
### Rename a Folder
1. Click the **actions menu** (three dots) on the folder header
2. Select **Rename folder**
3. Enter the new name
4. Click **Rename**
### Reorder Folders
Use the **up** and **down arrows** on the folder header to change the folder order.
### Delete a Folder
1. Click the **actions menu** (three dots) on the folder header
2. Select **Delete folder**
When you delete a folder, the assignments inside are **not deleted**—they move to the "Unassigned" section.
***
## Viewing Assignments
### Expand and Collapse Folders
Click on a folder header to expand or collapse it. This helps you focus on specific units or hide completed work.
### Unassigned Assignments
Assignments not in any folder appear in the **Unassigned** section at the bottom. You can move them into folders at any time.
***
## Folder Organization Tips
| Organization Style | Example Folders |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **By Unit** | "Unit 1: Foundations", "Unit 2: Revolution", "Unit 3: Constitution" |
| **By Quarter** | "Q1", "Q2", "Q3", "Q4" |
| **By Type** | "Essays", "Quizzes", "Projects", "Homework" |
| **By Status** | "In Progress", "Grading Complete", "Returned" |
Choose whatever system helps you stay organized. You can always rename or reorganize folders later.
***
## Related Articles
* [Create a New Class](/teacher/classes-and-students/create-a-new-class)
* [Select Assignment Type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type)
* [Assignment Settings](/teacher/assignment-management/assignment-settings)
# Select Assignment Type
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type
Choose the right assignment type for the work you're grading
The first step in creating an assignment is choosing the type of work you're grading. This determines the setup flow and how GradingPal processes student submissions.
***
## Starting a New Assignment
Open your class from the teacher dashboard
Click **New Assignment**
You'll see the assignment type selection screen
***
## Assignment Types
### Writing & Multi-Media
These types focus on open-ended, creative, or analytical work where students express ideas in their own way.
| Type | Best For | Examples |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ✍️ **Writing & Essays** | Written work of any kind | Essays, research papers, reflections, creative writing, short answers, reports |
| 🎬 **Video & Audio** | Recorded submissions | Video presentations, podcasts, speeches, music compositions, oral exams |
| 📊 **Presentations** | Visual slide-based work | Slideshows, pitch decks, exit tickets, visual project presentations |
| 🎨 **Art & Design** | Creative visual work | Illustrations, graphic design, photography, digital art, posters |
**Setup flow:** Import an existing assignment or generate one with AI, then create a rubric and configure feedback settings.
Learn how to configure these assignment types
***
### Structured Assignments
These types have defined questions with specific answers. GradingPal uses AI to extract questions from your document and generate rubrics automatically.
| Type | Best For | Examples |
| ------------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 📋 **Exams** | Comprehensive assessments | Midterms, finals, unit tests, standardized test practice |
| 🔢 **Problem Sets** | Step-by-step solutions | Math homework, physics problems, chemistry calculations, coding exercises |
| ❓ **Quizzes** | Quick knowledge checks | Pop quizzes, reading checks, vocabulary tests, concept reviews |
| 📄 **Worksheets** | Structured practice | Fill-in-the-blank, labeling diagrams, matching exercises, guided practice |
**Supported question types:**
* Multiple choice and multiple select
* True/False
* Fill in the blank
* Matching
* Ordering/sequencing
* Short answer and extended response (essay)
* Numerical/calculation problems
* Mathematical proofs and derivations
* Code/programming questions
* Diagram-based questions
**Setup flow:** Upload your existing assignment as a PDF, and AI will extract questions and generate rubrics for each one.
Learn how to configure these assignment types
***
## Choosing the Right Type
| If students are... | Choose |
| ------------------------------------------- | ------------------- |
| Writing essays, reports, or creative pieces | ✍️ Writing & Essays |
| Recording videos or audio | 🎬 Video & Audio |
| Creating slideshows or visual presentations | 📊 Presentations |
| Making artwork, designs, or visual projects | 🎨 Art & Design |
| Answering questions on an exam | 📋 Exams |
| Solving math or science problems | 🔢 Problem Sets |
| Completing a short assessment | ❓ Quizzes |
| Filling out a structured document | 📄 Worksheets |
***
## Can I Change the Type Later?
Assignment type **cannot be changed** once you complete the setup wizard. If you selected the wrong type, you'll need to create a new assignment.
You can navigate back during the wizard setup process before clicking **Finish Setup**, but once the assignment is created, the type is locked.
***
## Pro Tips
### Writing is designed for single-task assignments
The **Writing & Essays** type works best for assignments with one main task (e.g., "Write an essay about...").
If your assignment has **multiple distinct questions or tasks**—even if they involve writing—consider using **Worksheets** or **Quizzes** instead. These structured types let you configure different question types (short answer, extended response, etc.) and grade each question separately.
**Example:**
| Assignment | Recommended Type |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------- |
| Single essay prompt | ✍️ Writing & Essays |
| Reading comprehension with 5 short-answer questions | 📄 Worksheet or ❓ Quiz |
| Test with a mix of multiple choice and essay questions | 📋 Exam |
### Choose Structured for answer-key grading
If your assignment has specific correct answers (even partial credit scenarios), Structured Assignment types will give you more control. You can add answer keys and configure exactly how each question should be scored.
***
## Coming Soon
📁 **Portfolios** - Collections of work demonstrating skills, growth, and achievements. Join the waitlist to be notified when this type becomes available.
***
## Related Articles
* [Set Up Writing & Multi-Media Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-writing-multimedia-assignments)
* [Set Up Structured Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-structured-assignments)
* [Upload Student Work](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/upload-student-work)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
# Set Up Structured Assignments
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-structured-assignments
Configure Exams, Problem Sets, Quizzes, and Worksheets with automatic question extraction
This guide covers setup for **Exams**, **Problem Sets**, **Quizzes**, and **Worksheets**.
These assignment types use AI to automatically extract questions from your document and generate rubrics for each question—saving you significant setup time.
***
## How It Works
The exam, quiz, or worksheet document
Each question is identified and categorized
Confirm the questions were extracted correctly
AI generates scoring criteria for each question
Grade student work against the auto-generated rubrics
***
## Step 1: Setup
After selecting your assignment type, you'll provide basic details and upload your document.
### Enter Assignment Title
Give your assignment a descriptive name (e.g., "Unit 3 Quiz - Fractions", "Midterm Exam").
### Upload Your Assignment PDF
Upload the document that contains your questions.
Click **Upload File**
Select your PDF from your device
Wait for the upload to complete
**Supported formats:** PDF is recommended for best results. The AI reads and extracts questions from your document.
**Tips for best results:**
* Use clear, readable fonts
* Ensure questions are numbered or clearly separated
* Include point values if you want them preserved
* Typed documents work better than handwritten
### Set Dates (Optional)
| Field | Description |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **Publish Date** | When students can see the assignment |
| **Due Date** | Submission deadline |
Click **Next** to begin AI processing.
***
## Step 2: Processing
The AI analyzes your document and extracts questions. This step is automatic—just wait for it to complete.
**What's happening:**
* Document text is extracted
* Questions are identified and numbered
* Question types are detected (multiple choice, short answer, etc.)
* Point values are extracted if present
Processing typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on document length.
***
## Step 3: Review Outline
See the questions the AI extracted from your document. This is your chance to verify everything was captured correctly.
### Review Each Question
For each question, verify:
* The question text is complete and accurate
* The question number matches your document
* The question type is correct
### Edit Questions
Click on any question to edit:
* Fix text that wasn't extracted correctly
* Adjust question numbers
* Change question types
### Remove Incorrect Questions
If the AI identified something that isn't actually a question:
1. Click the menu (three dots) on that question
2. Select **Remove**
### Add Missing Questions
If a question was missed:
1. Click **Add Question**
2. Enter the question details manually
Click **Next** when the outline looks correct.
***
## Step 4: Approve Rubrics
The AI generates a rubric for each question based on:
* Question type (multiple choice, short answer, etc.)
* Expected answer format
* Point values from your document
### Review Each Rubric
For each question, you'll see:
* **Criteria** - What's being evaluated
* **Levels** - Scoring options (e.g., Full Credit, Partial Credit, No Credit)
* **Points** - Point values for each level
### Edit Rubrics
Click on any rubric to modify:
* Adjust point values
* Edit level descriptions
* Add or remove scoring levels
* Verify answer keys or acceptable responses
**For math and calculation-based questions:** When the AI generates rubrics for problems involving calculations, it shows its work in the **Verified Calculations** panel. Always review these calculations to ensure the expected answers and partial credit breakdowns are correct before grading.
### Bulk Actions
For similar questions, you can:
* Copy rubric settings from one question to others
* Apply the same point structure across questions
Click **Next** when rubrics are approved.
***
## Step 5: Upload Submissions
Now you can upload student work to be graded against your rubrics.
Learn about uploading from your device, Google Drive, or Google Classroom
***
## Question Types
The AI recognizes various question types and generates appropriate rubrics:
| Type | Description | Rubric Style |
| --------------------- | --------------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| **Multiple Choice** | Select one correct answer | Correct/Incorrect |
| **Multiple Select** | Select all that apply | Points per correct selection |
| **True/False** | Binary choice | Correct/Incorrect |
| **Short Answer** | Brief text response | Criteria-based or exact match |
| **Extended Response** | Longer written answer | Multi-criteria rubric |
| **Fill in the Blank** | Complete the sentence | Exact or acceptable matches |
| **Matching** | Connect related items | Points per correct match |
| **Numerical** | Math or calculation answers | Correct answer with tolerance |
***
## Tips for Better Results
Numbered questions with consistent formatting extract more accurately.
If your document shows points per question, the AI will use them.
Catching extraction errors early saves time later.
Especially for short answer and numerical questions, adding the correct answer improves grading accuracy.
Make sure the AI's partial credit levels match your grading policy.
***
## Editing After Setup
Editing structured assignments after creation is not currently supported. If you need to make changes to questions or rubrics, you'll need to create a new assignment.
We're working on adding edit functionality for structured assignments in a future update. For now, we recommend reviewing your outline & rubrics carefully during setup before uploading submissions.
***
## Related Articles
* [Select Assignment Type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type)
* [Set Up Writing & Multi-Media Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-writing-multimedia-assignments)
* [Upload Student Work](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/upload-student-work)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
* [Grade Quizzes](/teacher/use-cases/grade-quizzes)
* [Grade Worksheets](/teacher/use-cases/grade-worksheets)
# Set Up Writing & Multi-Media Assignments
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-writing-multimedia-assignments
Configure Writing & Essays, Video & Audio, Presentations, and Art & Design assignments
This guide covers setup for **Writing & Essays**, **Video & Audio**, **Presentations**, and **Art & Design** assignments.
These assignment types share a common setup flow focused on describing your assignment, creating a rubric, and configuring feedback settings.
***
## Step 1: Assignment Details
After selecting your assignment type, you'll provide the details that help the AI understand what to grade.
### Choose How to Provide Assignment Details
#### Option A: I Have My Assignment Ready
Use this if you already have your assignment prompt or instructions.
**Upload a file:**
1. Click **Upload file**
2. Select your assignment document (PDF, Word, or image)
3. GradingPal extracts the text and uses it as your assignment description
**Paste description:**
1. Click **Paste description**
2. Type or paste your assignment prompt directly
3. Include all instructions students received
#### Option B: Help Me Create One with AI
Use this if you need help writing your assignment prompt.
Describe what you want students to do in a few sentences
Optionally upload source materials (readings, resources, examples)
Click **Generate**
Review the AI-generated assignment description and edit as needed
#### Option C: Import from Google Classroom
For Google Classroom-connected classes, you can import an existing assignment.
1. Select **Import from Google Classroom**
2. Choose an assignment from the list
3. The assignment details, description, and any attached rubric are imported
Learn more about importing from Google Classroom
***
### Add Materials (Optional)
Upload handouts, rubrics, or reference materials that students received with the assignment. These help the AI understand context and expectations.
1. Click **Add Materials**
2. Upload files from your device or Google Drive
3. Supported formats: PDF, Word, images, Google Docs
**When to add materials:**
* Source readings students should reference
* Assignment handouts with additional instructions
***
### Set Dates (Optional)
Configure when the assignment is visible and due.
| Field | Description |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Publish Date** | When students can see the assignment. Leave blank to publish immediately. |
| **Due Date** | Submission deadline. Students can still submit after this date. |
***
## Step 2: Create Your Rubric
Define the criteria the AI will use to grade student work.
### Option A: Generate with AI
Let AI create a rubric based on your assignment details.
Click **Generate with AI**
A dialog appears with configuration options:
| Setting | Description |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Custom Instructions** | Specify standards alignment, specific criteria, or other requirements |
| **Enable Point Ranges** | Use min/max ranges instead of single point values |
| **Number of Criteria** | Specify how many criteria (1-10) or let AI decide |
| **Levels per Criterion** | Specify how many levels (2-8) or let AI decide |
Click **Generate Rubric**
Review the generated rubric and edit as needed
### Option B: Import from Existing Rubric
Reuse a rubric from a previous assignment.
1. Click **Import from Existing**
2. Browse your saved rubrics
3. Select one to copy to this assignment
4. Edit as needed
### Option C: Create Manually
Build your rubric from scratch.
Click **Add Criterion**
Enter:
* **Criterion name** (e.g., "Thesis Statement")
* **Description** (what this criterion evaluates)
Add levels for this criterion:
* **Level name** (e.g., "Excellent", "Proficient", "Developing")
* **Points** (single value or min/max range)
* **Description** (what this level looks like)
Repeat for additional criteria
***
### Editing Your Rubric
Once you have a rubric (generated, imported, or manual), you can edit it:
| Action | How |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Edit text** | Click on any criterion name, level, or description to edit inline |
| **Change points** | Click on point values to modify |
| **Reorder criteria** | Use the up/down arrows on each criterion |
| **Duplicate a criterion** | Click the menu (three dots) → **Duplicate** |
| **Delete a criterion** | Click the menu (three dots) → **Delete** |
| **Edit with AI** | Click the menu (three dots) → **Edit with AI** |
| **Add a level** | Click **Add Level** within a criterion |
| **Remove a level** | Click the trash icon on the level |
### Edit with AI
Use AI to refine individual criteria and make performance levels more distinct and easier to differentiate.
1. Click the menu (three dots) on any criterion
2. Select **Edit with AI**
3. In the dialog, provide instructions for how you'd like the criterion improved:
* "Focus on making the levels more specific to mathematical problem-solving"
* "Use simpler language for middle school students"
* "Add more detail to distinguish between the middle performance levels"
4. Click **Generate Improvements**
5. Review and further edit the AI suggestions as needed
The AI considers your assignment context and the current criterion structure when generating improvements.
***
## Step 3: Feedback Settings
Configure how the AI generates feedback for students.
### Additional Grading Instructions
Provide context to the AI that will be used during both grading and feedback generation. These instructions are **not visible to students**.
Use this to share information that isn't captured in your rubric:
* Special considerations for this assignment
* Things to look for or ignore
* Context about what was taught in class
* Common mistakes to flag
* Specific terminology or concepts students should use
### Feedback Style
| Style | Description | Best For |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| 🎯 **Targeted** | Google Docs-style inline comments on specific parts of the work | Writing assignments with typed/digital text submissions |
| ✨ **Glow & Grow** | Highlights strengths ("glows") and areas for improvement ("grows") | Younger students, encouraging tone |
| 📝 **Structured** | Detailed feedback organized by each rubric criterion | When you want feedback mapped directly to your rubric |
| 🥪 **Sandwich** | Positive, constructive, positive feedback structure | Balanced approach that maintains student motivation |
| 📋 **Actionable** | Specific, step-by-step suggestions for improvement | When students need clear next steps |
| 🤔 **Socratic** | Feedback through guiding questions to promote self-reflection | Encouraging deeper thinking and self-assessment |
**About Targeted Feedback:**
Targeted feedback places comments directly on specific text passages, similar to commenting in Google Docs. This style is only available for **Writing & Essays** assignments.
**Not recommended for handwritten submissions:** Targeted feedback works best with typed/digital text. For scanned handwritten work, the AI cannot highlight text directly on the submission. Consider using **Structured** or **Glow & Grow** instead for handwritten submissions.
Presentations and Art & Design assignments default to Glow & Grow since targeted inline comments are not applicable to visual work.
### Feedback Length
| Length | Description |
| ------------ | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Concise** | Brief, to-the-point feedback focusing on key improvements |
| **Detailed** | Comprehensive feedback with thorough explanations |
### Feedback Warmth
Controls the tone of the AI-generated feedback, displayed as a slider with three positions:
| Setting | Description |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Rigorous** | Direct, critical feedback that holds students to high standards |
| **Balanced** | Mix of praise and constructive criticism (default) |
| **Encouraging** | Warm, supportive tone that emphasizes positives |
***
## Step 4: Upload Submissions
The final step lets you upload student work or finish setup to upload later.
**Upload now:** See [Upload Student Work](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/upload-student-work)
**Finish setup:** Click **Finish Setup** to save your assignment. You can upload submissions anytime from the assignment page.
***
## Tips for Better Grading Results
The more context you provide, the better the AI understands your expectations.
Vague criteria like "Good writing" lead to inconsistent results; specific criteria like "Uses evidence from the text to support claims" work better.
Source readings and other additional materials help the AI understand what you're looking for.
Use concise feedback for quick assignments, detailed for major projects.
They're a great starting point, but you know your class best—adjust as needed.
***
## Related Articles
* [Select Assignment Type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type)
* [Set Up Structured Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-structured-assignments)
* [Upload Student Work](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/upload-student-work)
* [Reuse Rubric](/teacher/assignment-management/reuse-rubric)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
# Upload Student Work
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/grade-your-assignment/upload-student-work
Multiple ways to get student submissions into GradingPal for grading
Once your assignment and rubric are set up, you can upload student submissions for grading. GradingPal offers multiple ways to get student work into the system.
***
## Accessing the Upload Options
You can upload submissions from two places:
**During assignment setup:**
The final step of the assignment wizard lets you upload submissions immediately.
**From the assignment page:**
Click **Upload Submissions** on any assignment to add more student work.
***
## Upload Methods
### Option 1: Upload from Your Device
Upload files directly from your computer.
Click **Upload Submissions**
Select **Upload from Device**
Choose one or more files from your computer
Assign each file to a student (or let AI match by filename)
Click **Submit** to start grading
**Supported file types:**
| Category | Formats |
| --------- | ----------------------- |
| Documents | PDF, Word (.doc, .docx) |
| Images | JPG, PNG, HEIC |
| Video | MP4, MOV, WebM |
| Audio | MP3, WAV, M4A |
**Tips for device uploads:**
* Name files with student names for easier matching (e.g., "Jane\_Smith\_Essay.pdf")
* Upload multiple files at once by selecting them together
* Large video files may take longer to process
### Option 2: Upload from Google Drive
Select files directly from your Google Drive.
Click **Upload Submissions**
Select **Google Drive**
Sign in to Google if prompted
Browse or search for files
Select the files to upload
Assign to students and submit
**Benefits of Google Drive:**
* Access files already in the cloud
* No need to download then re-upload
* Works with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
### Option 3: Import from Google Classroom
For Google Classroom-connected classes, pull in submissions that students have already turned in.
Click **Upload Submissions**
Select **Import from Google Classroom**
Review the list of student submissions
Click **Import** to bring them into GradingPal
This option appears when:
* Your class is connected to Google Classroom
* The assignment exists in Google Classroom
* Students have submitted work
Learn more about how submissions sync with Google Classroom
***
## Assigning Submissions to Students
After uploading files, you need to assign each file to a student.
### Automatic Matching
GradingPal can automatically match files to students based on:
* Student name in the filename
* Student email in the filename
* Previous submission patterns
### Manual Assignment
If automatic matching doesn't work:
1. Click the **student dropdown** next to each file
2. Select the correct student from the list
3. If the student isn't enrolled, you can add them on the spot
### Handling Unmatched Files
If a file can't be matched:
* The student dropdown will be empty
* Select a student manually
* Or click **Add Student** to enroll a new student
***
## Student Self-Submission
Instead of uploading work yourself, students can submit directly through their GradingPal accounts.
### How It Works
Students log in to GradingPal
They see assignments for their enrolled classes
They upload their work directly
Submissions appear in your dashboard for review
### When to Use Student Self-Submission
* Students have device access
* You want students to own the submission process
* You're using the [Student Interface](/teacher/overview/3-ways-to-use-gradingpal#2-student-interface) workflow
### Setup
Students need to be enrolled in your class. See [Enroll Students](/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students) for options.
Once enrolled, students can submit to any published assignment in your class.
***
## What Happens After Upload
Once submissions are uploaded:
Documents are converted and prepared for grading
Each submission is scored against your rubric automatically
Submissions appear in your dashboard—track progress as grading completes
Check AI scores and feedback before returning to students
Grading typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes per submission, depending on length and complexity.
***
## Uploading Additional Submissions
You can add more submissions to an assignment at any time:
1. Go to the assignment page
2. Click **Upload Submissions**
3. Choose your upload method
4. Assign to students and submit
New submissions are graded using the same rubric and settings as existing ones.
***
## Re-uploading or Replacing Submissions
If a student needs to resubmit:
1. The new submission can be uploaded as normal
2. Previous submissions remain in the system
3. You can view submission history for each student
***
## Troubleshooting
* Check that the file type is supported
* Ensure the file isn't corrupted
* Try a different browser if issues persist
* For large video files, ensure stable internet connection
* The student may not be enrolled in your class
* Click **Add Student** to enroll them
* Or enroll them first via [Enroll Students](/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students)
* Video and audio files take longer to process
* Very long documents may take extra time
* Check the submission status for any errors
* Delete the incorrect submission
* Re-upload and assign to the correct student
***
## Related Articles
* [Select Assignment Type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
* [Return Submissions & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/return-submissions-feedback)
* [Enroll Students](/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students)
* [Google Classroom Integration](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
# Return Submissions & Feedback
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/grades-and-feedback/return-submissions-feedback
Send graded work back to students with scores and feedback
After reviewing AI-graded submissions, you can return them to students so they can see their scores and feedback. This guide covers how to return work individually or in bulk.
***
## What Happens When You Return a Submission
When you return a submission:
The student can view their grade and feedback in GradingPal
The submission status changes to "Returned to Student"
If your class is connected to Google Classroom and the assignment was created in GradingPal, the grade is automatically synced to Google Classroom
***
## Returning Individual Submissions
### From the Submission Review Page
Open the submission you want to return
Click **Actions** in the header
Select **Return Submission**
The submission is immediately returned to the student
### Warning for Unreviewed Submissions
If you try to return a submission that hasn't been marked as reviewed, you'll see a warning:
> "This submission has not been fully reviewed yet. Are you sure you want to return it to the student?"
You can:
* Click **Cancel** to go back and review first
* Click **Return Anyway** to proceed without marking as reviewed
### From the Submissions Table
1. Go to your assignment's **Submissions** tab
2. Find the submission you want to return
3. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) on that row
4. Select **Return Submission**
***
## Bulk Return
Return multiple submissions at once when you've finished reviewing a batch.
### Select Submissions
Go to the assignment's **Submissions** tab
Check the boxes next to submissions you want to return
Or use the header checkbox to select all visible submissions
### Return Selected
1. With submissions selected, click **Return All** (or the bulk actions button)
2. Confirm the action
3. All selected submissions are returned to students
***
## Google Classroom Grade Sync
### When Grades Sync Automatically
For classes connected to Google Classroom, grades sync automatically when:
* The assignment was **created in GradingPal** and published to Google Classroom
* You return the submission to the student
* The student has a Google Classroom account linked
### When Grades Don't Sync
Grades will **not** sync to Google Classroom if:
* The assignment was imported from Google Classroom (sync only works one direction)
* The class is not connected to Google Classroom
* The student isn't enrolled in the Google Classroom class
### What Gets Synced
| Data | Synced to Google Classroom |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Numerical grade** | Yes - The total score for the assignment |
| **Returned status** | Yes - The submission is marked as returned |
| **Feedback link** | Yes - A link to view the full feedback in GradingPal |
Learn more about grade sync and Google Classroom
***
## Before You Return
### Recommended Checks
Before returning submissions, consider:
1. **Review the score** - Make sure the AI-assigned grade is accurate
2. **Check feedback quality** - Read through the feedback to ensure it's helpful
3. **Edit if needed** - Adjust scores or feedback as necessary
4. **Hide points (optional)** - If you want students to see feedback without numerical scores
### Mark as Reviewed First
While not required, marking submissions as "Reviewed" before returning helps you track what you've checked:
1. Open the submission
2. Click **Actions** → **Mark as Reviewed**
3. Then proceed to return
***
## After Returning
### Can Students See Everything?
Once returned, students can see:
* Their total score (unless you [hid points](/teacher/assignment-management/assignment-settings#hide-points))
* Scores for each criterion or question
* All feedback comments
* Any overall feedback you added
### Can You Make Changes After Returning?
Once a submission is returned:
* You can still view the submission and all grading details
* You **can** still edit scores and feedback—changes are reflected for the student
* The "Return Submission" action becomes disabled (shows as "Returned to Student")
* You cannot "un-return" a submission, but edits you make are immediately visible to students
***
## Troubleshooting
If you see an error when trying to return:
* **"Submission state is CREATED"** - The student hasn't officially turned in their work yet
* **"Assignment has been deleted"** - The assignment no longer exists
* **Network error** - Try again; there may be a temporary connection issue
If the grade doesn't appear in Google Classroom:
1. Verify the assignment was created in GradingPal (not imported from GC)
2. Check that your Google Classroom connection is active
3. Ensure the student is enrolled in both GradingPal and Google Classroom
4. Try returning again after a few minutes
If a student reports they can't see their feedback:
1. Confirm the submission shows "Returned to Student" status
2. Have the student log in to GradingPal (not just Google Classroom)
3. Check that the student is viewing the correct assignment
***
## Best Practices
Review all submissions, then return in bulk for efficiency
Think of it as the 80/20 rule: AI does 80% of the heavy lifting, while you provide the 20% of expert review
This helps you track your progress through large classes
Even a brief overall comment makes feedback feel more personal
Let students know when to expect grades back
***
## Related Articles
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
* [Assignment Settings](/teacher/assignment-management/assignment-settings)
* [Google Classroom Integration](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
* [Student View: View Scores & Feedback](/student/view-scores-feedback)
# Review AI Scores & Feedback
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback
Verify, edit, and finalize AI-generated grades and feedback before returning to students
After students submit their work and AI grading completes, you can review each submission to verify scores, read feedback, and make adjustments before returning grades to students.
The review experience varies by assignment type, so this guide covers:
* [Writing & Multi-Media Assignments](#writing--multi-media-assignments) (Writing, Video, Presentations, Art)
* [Structured Assignments](#structured-assignments) (Exams, Quizzes, Problem Sets, Worksheets)
* [Handwritten Submissions](#handwritten-submissions) (special considerations)
***
## Accessing Submissions
### From the Assignment Page
Navigate to your class
Click on an assignment
View all submissions in the **Submissions** tab
### Submission Status
Each submission shows its current status:
| Status | Meaning |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------- |
| **In Progress** | AI is currently grading the submission |
| **Pending Review** | Grading complete, awaiting your review |
| **Completed** | You've reviewed and finalized the grade |
| **Returned** | Grade and feedback sent to student |
| **Failed** | An error occurred during grading |
***
## Writing & Multi-Media Assignments
This section covers **Writing & Essays**, **Video & Audio**, **Presentations**, and **Art & Design** assignments.
### The Review Interface
Click any submission to open the review page:
* **Left panel:** Student's submitted work (document, video, or visual)
* **Right panel:** AI-generated scores and feedback organized by tabs
***
### Understanding Scores
The AI scores each **rubric criterion** separately. For each criterion, you'll see:
* **Criterion name** - What was evaluated
* **Score** - Points earned out of possible points
* **Level achieved** - Which rubric level the submission matched (shown as a colored progress bar)
* **Justification** - AI's reasoning for the score with evidence comments from student submission (only visible to you and not the students)
***
### Editing Scores
You can adjust AI-assigned scores if you disagree with the grading.
**To change a criterion score:**
Click **Edit** on the criterion card
Click on a different level segment in the progress bar
The score updates to match the selected level
Click **Save**
#### Point Range Adjustments
If your rubric has **Point Ranges enabled**, you can fine-tune scores within a level:
1. Select the appropriate level
2. Enter an exact point value within that level's min-max range
3. The score reflects your custom value while staying within the level bounds
For example, if "Proficient" is 7-9 points, you can award exactly 8 points.
Point range editing is only available if you enabled "Point Ranges" when creating your rubric. See [Set Up Writing & Multi-Media Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-writing-multimedia-assignments).
***
### Understanding Feedback
The **Student Feedback** tab shows all AI-generated feedback. Feedback is organized into sections based on your chosen feedback style.
| Feedback Style | Sections You'll See |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Targeted** | Inline comments on specific text (see [Targeted Feedback](#targeted-feedback-inline-comments)) |
| **Glow & Grow** | Glows (strengths), Grows (improvements), Overall Feedback |
| **Structured** | One section per rubric criterion, plus Overall Feedback |
| **Sandwich** | Positives, Constructive, Positives, Overall Feedback |
| **Actionable** | Next Steps, Areas for Improvement, Overall Feedback |
| **Socratic** | Guiding Questions, Reflections, Overall Feedback |
***
### Editing Feedback Sections
Each feedback section can be edited independently using manual editing or AI assistance.
#### Manual Editing
Click the **Edit** button on any feedback section
Select **Manually**
Edit the title and content directly in the text fields
Click **Save Changes**
#### AI-Assisted Editing
Click the **Edit** button on any feedback section
Select **With AI**
Enter a prompt describing how to modify the feedback (e.g., "Make it more encouraging" or "Add specific examples from the student's work")
Click **Edit with AI**
Review the AI-generated draft (shown with a highlighted border)
Click **Accept** to save or **Reject** to discard
#### Deleting Sections
1. Click the **Edit** button
2. Select **Delete**
3. The section is removed
The Overall Feedback section cannot be deleted.
***
### Adjust All Feedback at Once
Use the **Adjust All Feedback** panel to modify all feedback sections simultaneously with AI.
**Quick prompts** - Click any preset option:
* **Simpler language** - Makes feedback easier to understand
* **More detail** - Adds more specific observations
* **Shorter** - Condenses feedback to key points
* **Add examples** - Includes concrete examples from the student's work
* **More encouraging** - Adds positive framing
**Custom prompts** - Type your own instruction in the text area (e.g., "Focus on growth mindset" or "Reference the rubric criteria by name").
After AI generates the draft:
1. Review the changes (shown with a green border)
2. Click **Accept** to apply all changes
3. Or click **Reject** to discard and keep the original
This feature is not available for handwritten submissions. See [Handwritten Submissions](#handwritten-submissions) for details.
***
### Targeted Feedback (Inline Comments)
For **Writing & Essays** assignments using the **Targeted** feedback style, comments appear directly on specific text passages—similar to commenting in Google Docs.
#### Viewing Targeted Comments
* Comments are highlighted in the student's text (left panel)
* All comments also appear in the **Student Feedback** tab sidebar (right panel)
* Click any comment in the sidebar to scroll to its location in the document
#### Adding Comments
1. In the left panel, highlight text in the student's submission
2. Click the **Add Comment** button that appears
3. Type your feedback
4. The comment is linked to that specific passage
#### Editing and Deleting Comments
* Click any comment to edit its text
* Use the menu (three dots) to delete a comment
#### AI Editing for Targeted Feedback
When using "Adjust All Feedback" with targeted feedback style, the AI edits all inline comments while preserving their positions in the text.
Targeted feedback works best with **typed/digital text submissions**. For handwritten work, the system uses a different approach. See [Handwritten Submissions](#handwritten-submissions).
***
### Video & Audio Submissions
For **Video & Audio** assignments, comments are tied to specific timestamps rather than text positions.
#### Viewing Video Comments
* Comments appear in chronological order in the feedback panel
* Each comment shows its timestamp as a badge
* Click any comment to jump to that moment in the video
#### Adding Timestamped Comments
1. Play the video to the moment you want to comment on
2. Pause at that timestamp
3. Click **Add Comment**
4. Type your feedback
5. The comment is saved at that timestamp
#### Editing Video Comments
* Click any comment to edit its text
* Use the menu to delete a comment
* Timestamps cannot be changed after creation
***
### Presentation & Art Submissions
**Presentations** and **Art & Design** submissions display as PDFs in the left panel.
* Scoring works identically to writing assignments (per-criterion)
* Feedback sections can be edited manually
* Targeted inline comments are **not available** for these types (use Glow & Grow, Structured, or another section-based style instead)
***
## Structured Assignments
This section covers **Exams**, **Quizzes**, **Problem Sets**, and **Worksheets**.
### The Review Interface
Structured assignments have a different layout optimized for question-by-question review:
* **Left panel:** The original assignment document with student's answers
* **Right panel:** Question list and per-question scoring
* **Navigation:** Questions appear as a list; click any question to review it
***
### Understanding Scores
Each **question** is scored individually with its own rubric.
For each question, you'll see:
* **Question number and text**
* **Student's answer** (extracted from their submission)
* **Score** - Points earned based on the rubric level selected by the AI
The AI selects a rubric level (e.g., "Excellent", "Good", "Needs Improvement") for each criterion, which determines the points awarded. There is no separate AI reasoning text - the score is based directly on the rubric level definitions you created.
Sub-questions (like 2a, 2b, 2c) are scored separately, and their totals sum to the parent question's score.
***
### Editing Scores
**To change a question score:**
Click on the question in the sidebar
Click the **Score** tab to view the rubric breakdown
Click **Edit** on the criterion you want to change
Select a different rubric level using the progress bar or level options
Click **Save** - the total score recalculates automatically
Each rubric level has predefined points, so you're selecting the level that best matches the student's work rather than entering arbitrary point values.
***
### Feedback in Structured Assignments
Structured assignments provide **per-question feedback** through dedicated tabs for each question:
**Each question has four tabs:**
1. **Feedback** - General feedback about the student's response
2. **Score** - Rubric breakdown showing the level selected for each criterion
3. **Strengths** - What the student did well on this question
4. **Improvements** - Areas where the student can improve
**Editing feedback:**
* Click on any tab to view or edit that section
* Feedback, Strengths, and Improvements can all be edited by clicking the **Edit** button
* Changes are saved individually per question
**Differences from essay-type assignments:**
* There is no "Adjust All Feedback" feature (feedback is per-question)
* There are no feedback style options (Glow & Grow, Targeted, etc.)
* Feedback is organized by question rather than by overall sections
***
## Handwritten Submissions
GradingPal automatically detects when a submission contains handwritten text. Handwritten submissions have some different capabilities compared to typed/digital submissions.
### How It Works
When the AI detects handwritten content in a PDF submission, it:
1. Displays the submission as a PDF (regardless of assignment type)
2. Adjusts certain feedback editing features (see below)
3. Uses backend-stored annotations instead of interactive text highlighting
***
### Available Features for Handwritten Submissions
| Feature | Available? | Notes |
| --------------------------- | ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| View submission | Yes | Displays as PDF |
| View AI scores | Yes | Same as typed submissions |
| Edit scores (change levels) | Yes | Same as typed submissions |
| Point range adjustments | Yes | Same as typed submissions |
| View AI feedback | Yes | Same as typed submissions |
| **Edit feedback manually** | Yes | Edit title and content directly |
| **Edit feedback with AI** | No | AI-assisted editing is disabled for handwritten submissions |
| **Adjust All Feedback** | No | This feature is hidden for handwritten submissions |
| Targeted feedback (inline) | Limited | See below |
***
### Targeted Feedback on Handwritten Submissions
If you selected **Targeted** feedback style and the submission is handwritten:
* Comments appear in a list format (no interactive text highlighting)
* You can view, edit, and delete comments manually
* AI editing of targeted comments is not available
***
### Recommendations for Handwritten Work
If you frequently receive handwritten submissions:
1. **Use section-based feedback styles** - Glow & Grow, Structured, or Actionable work better than Targeted for handwritten work
2. **Review manually** - Plan to edit feedback manually rather than relying on AI editing
3. **Consider typed alternatives** - If students can type responses (even short ones), the full feature set becomes available
***
## Quick Reference: Editing Capabilities by Assignment Type
| Feature | Writing (Typed) | Writing (Handwritten) | Video | Presentation/Art | Structured (ADSL) |
| ------------------------ | --------------- | --------------------- | ---------- | ---------------- | ------------------ |
| **Score editing** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| **Point range editing** | If enabled | If enabled | If enabled | If enabled | Yes (per question) |
| **Manual feedback edit** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Per-question only |
| **AI feedback edit** | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| **Adjust All Feedback** | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| **Targeted comments** | Yes | No text highlighting | Timestamps | No | No |
| **AI edit targeted** | Yes | No | No | N/A | N/A |
***
## Navigating Between Submissions
Review multiple submissions efficiently:
| Action | How |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Next submission** | Click the right arrow or press **→** |
| **Previous submission** | Click the left arrow or press **←** |
| **Jump to student** | Use the student dropdown in the header |
***
## Submission Actions
### Mark as Completed
Track which submissions you've reviewed:
1. Click **Mark as Completed** in the header
2. Status changes from "Pending Review" to "Completed"
To revert: Click **Mark as Pending**
### Hide Points from Student
If you want students to see feedback but not numerical scores:
1. Toggle **Hide Points** in the header
2. When returned, students see feedback without point values
### Export to PDF
Download a PDF of the graded submission:
1. Click **Export** in the header
2. Choose options (include student work, rubric scores, feedback)
3. Click **Download PDF**
### Delete Submission
Remove a submission:
1. Click **Delete**
2. Confirm the deletion
This permanently removes the submission and cannot be undone.
***
## Handling Failed Submissions
If a submission shows "Failed" status:
1. Click on the submission to see the error
2. Click **Retry Grading** to attempt grading again
3. If the issue persists, check that the file is valid and readable
**Common causes:**
* Corrupted or unreadable files
* Unsupported file formats
* Very large files that timeout
***
## Bulk Actions
For efficiency with large classes:
1. Select submissions using the checkboxes
2. Choose a bulk action:
* **Mark as Completed** - Update status for all selected
* **Return All** - Return grades to all selected students
* **Export All** - Download PDFs for all selected
***
## Tips for Efficient Review
Use the arrow keys or the submission dropdown at the top of the grading view to toggle between students without returning to the submissions list.
Sort by score to check very high or low grades for accuracy.
A brief note in Overall Feedback can make AI-generated comments feel more personal.
Apply it once with your preferred prompt (like "simpler language") across a batch of similar submissions.
If AI scores consistently miss the mark, [edit your rubric criteria](/teacher/assignment-management/edit-assignment-details-rubric) to be more clear and specific. This automatically triggers a regrade for all submissions, saving you from manual corrections.
***
## Related Articles
* [Return Submissions & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/return-submissions-feedback)
* [Upload Student Work](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/upload-student-work)
* [Edit Assignment Details & Rubric](/teacher/assignment-management/edit-assignment-details-rubric)
* [Assignment Settings](/teacher/assignment-management/assignment-settings)
# Google Classroom Integration
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom
Import classes, sync assignments, pull submissions, and return grades with Google Classroom
GradingPal integrates with Google Classroom to import classes, sync assignments, pull student submissions, and return grades—all while keeping your existing classroom workflow intact.
***
## What You Can Do
| Feature | Description |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Import classes** | Bring your Google Classroom roster into GradingPal with one click |
| **Publish assignments** | Create assignments in GradingPal that appear in Google Classroom |
| **Import submissions** | Pull student work from Google Classroom for AI grading |
| **Sync grades** | Return scores and feedback to your Google Classroom gradebook |
| **Auto-enroll students** | Students are automatically enrolled when they submit via Google Classroom |
***
## Connecting Google Classroom
### Step 1: Start the Connection
You can connect Google Classroom from two places:
**During onboarding:** New users are prompted to connect Google Classroom as part of the initial setup flow.
**From the dashboard:** Click **Import Classes** on your teacher dashboard.
On the integration selection screen, click **Connect Google Classroom**.
You'll be redirected to Google's sign-in page. Sign in with your Google account that has Google Classroom access.
### Step 2: Select All Permissions
On the Google permissions screen, you **must select "Select All"** for full functionality.
If you don't grant all permissions, you may experience issues with:
* Importing classes and rosters
* Syncing assignments
* Pulling student submissions
* Returning grades
### Step 3: Return to GradingPal
After granting permissions, you'll be redirected back to GradingPal to select which classes to import.
***
## Importing Classes
Once connected, you can import your Google Classroom classes into GradingPal.
### Step 1: Select Classes
You'll see a list of all your Google Classroom courses. Check the ones you want to import.
Each class card shows:
* Class name and section
* Number of students
* Creation date
* Link to view in Google Classroom
Click **Continue** when you've selected your classes.
### Step 2: Configure Class Details
For each class, provide additional information that GradingPal needs:
| Field | Required | Description |
| ---------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Grade Levels** | Yes | Select one or more grades (K–12, College, Adult) |
| **Subject** | Yes | Choose the primary subject area |
| **Standard Set** | No | Optionally select a standards framework |
| **Timezone** | Yes | Inherited from your profile settings |
### Step 3: Import
Click **Import Classes**. Your classes, along with their student rosters, will be imported into GradingPal.
After import:
* Students are automatically added to your class roster
* You can start creating assignments immediately
* Any future roster changes in Google Classroom will sync automatically
***
## Creating Assignments (GradingPal → Google Classroom)
When you create an assignment in GradingPal for a Google Classroom-connected class, it can be automatically published to Google Classroom.
### Automatic Publishing (Default)
With **Automatic Assignment Sync** enabled (the default setting), assignments are published to Google Classroom as soon as you create them in GradingPal.
**What gets published:**
* Assignment title and description
* Due date and time
* Maximum points
* Your rubric (with all criteria and levels)
* A link back to GradingPal
### Manual Publishing
If you prefer to control when assignments appear in Google Classroom, you can disable automatic sync in [Class Settings](/teacher/classes-and-students/class-settings).
When automatic sync is off, you can manually publish assignments:
**From the Assignment Wizard:**
After clicking **Finish Setup**, a dialog will ask if you want to publish to Google Classroom.
**From the Assignment Page:**
Click **Actions** → **Publish to Google Classroom**.
### Publish Date Handling
GradingPal respects your assignment's publish settings:
| Assignment Status | Publish Date | Result in Google Classroom |
| ----------------- | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Published | Any | Immediately visible to students |
| Draft | Future date | Created as draft, auto-publishes at scheduled time |
| Draft | No date or past date | Created as hidden draft |
### Supported Assignment Types
Not all assignment types can be published to Google Classroom:
| Type | Supported |
| ------------------------- | --------- |
| Writing (Essays, Reports) | Yes |
| Video | Yes |
| Presentation | Yes |
| Art & Design | Yes |
| Exam | No |
| Quiz | No |
| Worksheet | No |
| Problem Set | No |
For unsupported types, the publish option will not appear. Note- we're working on adding support for these unavailable assignment types shortly.
***
## Importing Existing Assignments (Google Classroom → GradingPal)
You can also import assignments that already exist in Google Classroom.
### How to Import
1. Go to your class in GradingPal
2. Click **New Assignment**
3. Select **Import from Google Classroom**
4. Choose the assignment you want to import
### Important Limitation
When you import an assignment **from** Google Classroom (rather than creating it in GradingPal), there's a key limitation:
**GradingPal cannot sync grades back to Google Classroom for imported assignments.**
This is due to Google Classroom API restrictions. For full grade sync functionality, we recommend creating new assignments in GradingPal and publishing them to Google Classroom.
A dialog will explain this limitation before you proceed with the import.
***
## Student Submissions from Google Classroom
How student submissions flow into GradingPal depends on how the assignment was created.
### Automatic Sync (Assignments Created in GradingPal)
When you create an assignment in GradingPal and publish it to Google Classroom, student submissions **automatically appear in GradingPal** as soon as students turn in their work.
**How it works:**
1. Student submits their work in Google Classroom
2. GradingPal is notified automatically (via real-time sync)
3. The submission appears in GradingPal within moments
4. AI grading starts automatically
5. Student is auto-enrolled if not already in your roster
No manual import needed—submissions flow in seamlessly.
### Manual Import (Assignments Imported from Google Classroom)
For assignments that were imported from Google Classroom (not created in GradingPal), you'll need to manually pull submissions.
#### Step 1: View Submissions Preview
On the assignment page, you'll see a **Google Classroom** panel showing student submission status.
The panel shows:
* Each student's name and email
* Their submission status (Submitted, In Progress, Not Started, etc.)
* Whether they have attachments
* How many submissions are ready to import
#### Step 2: Import Submissions
Click **Import Submissions**. GradingPal will:
1. Download the student's submitted files
2. Create submission records in GradingPal
3. Automatically start AI grading
4. Enroll any new students who weren't already in your roster
Only submissions marked as "Submitted" (turned in) will be imported.
***
## Returning Grades to Google Classroom
After grading submissions in GradingPal, you can return scores and feedback to Google Classroom.
### What Gets Synced
When you click **Return** on a graded submission:
| Data | Synced to Google Classroom |
| ------------------------ | -------------------------- |
| Numeric grade | Yes |
| GradingPal preview link | Yes (as attachment) |
| Detailed rubric feedback | Via preview link |
### How It Works
AI grades the submission automatically
Review and adjust scores/feedback as needed
Click **Return** on the submission
GradingPal sends the grade to Google Classroom
Student sees their score in Google Classroom and can click the link to view detailed feedback in GradingPal
### Requirements for Grade Sync
For grades to sync back to Google Classroom:
* The assignment must have been **created in GradingPal and published to Google Classroom** (not imported from Google Classroom)
* The student must be enrolled through Google Classroom (have a linked account)
* The submission must be in "Turned In" state
***
## Class Settings for Google Classroom
Google Classroom-connected classes have additional settings to control how assignments and students sync:
* **Automatic Assignment Sync** - Control whether new assignments auto-publish to Google Classroom
* **Allow Manual Student Enrollment** - Enable or disable class codes and invite links
Go to your class → **Settings** tab to configure these options.
Learn about all class configuration options
***
## Troubleshooting
Your connection to Google Classroom has expired or been revoked. Click **Reconnect** and go through the authorization flow again. Make sure to **Select All** permissions.
Check that:
* **Automatic Assignment Sync** is enabled in Class Settings
* The assignment type is supported (Writing, Video, Presentation, Art & Design)
* The assignment has been published (not still in draft mode in GradingPal)
If students from Google Classroom aren't appearing in GradingPal:
* Students are auto-enrolled when they **submit** work via Google Classroom
* You can manually import by clicking **Upload Submissions** → **Import from Google Classroom**
* Check that you granted all required permissions during setup
Grades only sync back to Google Classroom if:
* The assignment was **created in GradingPal** and published to Google Classroom
* Assignments **imported from** Google Classroom cannot sync grades back (API limitation)
***
## Best Practices
Creating assignments in GradingPal and publishing to Google Classroom ensures full grade sync functionality
During Google sign-in, always "Select All" to avoid functionality issues later
Keep Automatic Assignment Sync enabled unless you specifically need to draft assignments privately first
Only "Submitted" work will be imported. Students with "In Progress" status need to turn in their work first
For Google Classroom classes, this ensures students who submit via Google Classroom are properly linked for grade sync
***
## Related Articles
* [Create a New Class](/teacher/classes-and-students/create-a-new-class)
* [Class Settings](/teacher/classes-and-students/class-settings)
* [Enroll Students](/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students)
* [Return Submissions & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/return-submissions-feedback)
* [3 Ways to Use GradingPal](/teacher/overview/3-ways-to-use-gradingpal)
# Product Roadmap
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/other/product-roadmap
What we're building to make GradingPal even better for teachers
Here's what we're working on to make GradingPal even better for teachers.
***
## Coming Soon
### Analytics & Reports
Gain deeper insights into how your class performed on each assignment.
* **Performance breakdown** — See individual and class-wide results at a glance
* **Strengths & areas for growth** — Identify what students mastered and where they struggled
* **Instructional grouping** — Get suggestions for grouping students based on their performance
### Academic Standards & Skills Tagging
Connect your assignments to the standards that matter.
* **Tag assignments** with academic standards and skills
* **Track mastery** — See how students are performing against each standard/skill
### Assignment Library
Never build the same assignment twice.
* **Save assignments** as reusable templates
* **Community library** — Browse and use assignments shared by other teachers
***
## Recently Launched
### Structured Assignment Types
Full support for structured assignments
AI extracts questions from your PDFs automatically
Individual rubrics and grading for each question
### Multi-Media & Handwritten Support
Grade slide-based presentations
Evaluate creative visual work
Grade handwritten assignments from scans and photos
### Assignment Wizard
* Improved step-by-step creation process
* Guided setup for configuring grading parameters
* Streamlined workflow for all assignment types
***
## Request a Feature
Have an idea for GradingPal? We'd love to hear it!
Email us at [hello@gradingpal.com](mailto:hello@gradingpal.com)
Share what you need and how it would help your teaching. Your feedback directly shapes our roadmap.
***
## Stay Updated
Follow our updates:
* Check this page for the latest roadmap
* Look for in-app announcements when features launch
* Join our newsletter for early access opportunities
***
## Related Articles
* [What is GradingPal?](/teacher/overview/what-is-gradingpal)
# 3 Ways to Use GradingPal
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/overview/3-ways-to-use-gradingpal
Choose the grading workflow that best fits your classroom
GradingPal offers flexible workflows to fit how your classroom operates. Choose the approach that works best for you—or combine them as needed.
## Quick Comparison
| Feature | Teacher-Only Mode | Student Interface | LMS Integration |
| ----------------------------- | ----------------- | --------------------- | ---------------------- |
| **Student accounts needed?** | No | Yes | Optional |
| **Student submission method** | Teacher uploads | GradingPal platform | Google Classroom |
| **Feedback delivery** | PDF export | Interactive platform | Grades sync + Platform |
| **Best for** | Control & privacy | Engagement & revision | Existing GC users |
***
## 1. Teacher-Only Mode
**You handle everything.** Upload student work yourself and manage the entire grading process without students needing accounts.
### Best For
* Younger students (elementary/middle school)
* Classrooms where students don't have regular device access
* Teachers who prefer to collect physical work and scan it
* Quick pilot testing before rolling out to students
### How It Works
Create a class and add student names to your roster.
Set up your assignment and rubric.
Collect student work (digitally or on paper).
Upload submissions yourself (PDFs, images, scans).
Review AI-generated grades and feedback.
Download scores and feedback as PDF to share with students.
Create a new class and start uploading submissions
***
## 2. Student Interface
**Students submit their own work.** Students create GradingPal accounts, turn in assignments directly, and view their scores and detailed feedback online.
### Best For
* High school and higher education
* Classrooms with 1:1 device access
* Teachers who want students to own their submission process
* Providing students direct access to detailed feedback
### How It Works
Create a class and invite students via class code or email.
Students sign up and join your class.
Set up your assignment and rubric.
Students upload their own submissions.
Review and approve AI-generated grades.
Release grades—students view scores and feedback in their dashboard.
### Benefits
* Students take ownership of submitting on time
* Feedback is always accessible to students
* No need to print, email, or manually distribute results
* Students can reference past feedback anytime
Learn how to enroll students in your class
***
## 3. LMS Integration
**Connect to your existing setup.** GradingPal integrates with your Learning Management System to import classes, sync rosters, and push grades back to your gradebook.
### Best For
* Schools already using Google Classroom
* Teachers who want a single source of truth for grades
* Reducing duplicate data entry
* Streamlined workflows with existing tools
### How It Works
Connect your Google Classroom account.
Import your classes and student rosters automatically.
Create assignments in GradingPal (or link existing Classroom assignments).
Students submit through Google Classroom or GradingPal.
Review and approve AI-generated grades.
Sync scores back to your Google Classroom gradebook.
### Benefits
* No manual class setup—import everything in one click
* Rosters stay in sync automatically
* Grades flow back to your gradebook
* Students use familiar tools
### Currently Supported
Full integration with Google Classroom
***
## Which Should I Choose?
| Your Situation | Recommended Approach |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Testing GradingPal for the first time | Teacher-Only Mode or [import from Google Classroom](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom) |
| Students are young or don't have devices | Teacher-Only Mode |
| Students can submit digitally and you want them to see feedback | Student Interface |
| You already use Google Classroom | LMS Integration |
| You want grades to sync to your gradebook | LMS Integration |
You can also **combine approaches**. For example, use LMS Integration to import your classes, but upload work yourself for younger students who can't submit digitally.
***
## Next Steps
Create a new class
Enroll students
Connect Google Classroom
## Related Articles
* [What is GradingPal?](/teacher/overview/what-is-gradingpal)
* [Create a New Class](/teacher/classes-and-students/create-a-new-class)
* [Enroll Students](/teacher/classes-and-students/enroll-students)
* [Google Classroom Integration](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
# What is GradingPal?
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/overview/what-is-gradingpal
AI-powered grading assistant that saves teachers time while providing students with detailed, personalized feedback
GradingPal is an AI-powered grading assistant that helps teachers save time on grading while providing students with detailed, personalized feedback.
## How It Works
Define the criteria you want to assess, or let AI help generate one based on your assignment.
Support for essays, worksheets, quizzes, PDFs, images, and even video/audio submissions.
Each submission is scored criterion-by-criterion based on your standards.
Approve, adjust, or add to the AI-generated scores and feedback before returning to students.
## Key Features
### Rubric-Based Grading
GradingPal scores every submission against your custom rubric. You define the criteria, point values, and expectations—the AI applies them consistently across all submissions.
### Personalized Feedback
Students receive specific, actionable feedback tied to each rubric criterion. The feedback highlights strengths and areas for improvement based on their actual work.
### Multiple Submission Types
Grade a variety of student work:
| Type | Examples |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Written work** | Essays, reports, short answers |
| **Worksheets & problem sets** | Math, science, fill-in-the-blank |
| **Quizzes** | Multiple choice, short answer, mixed format |
| **Handwritten work** | Scanned or photographed assignments |
| **Video/audio** | Presentations, speeches, oral exams |
### Class Management
Organize your students into classes, create folders for assignments, and track submissions all in one place.
Organize students and assignments
Multiple enrollment options
### LMS Integration
Connect your Google Classroom to import classes, sync rosters, and streamline your workflow.
Import classes, sync assignments, and push grades back automatically
## Who Is GradingPal For?
GradingPal is built for **K-12 teachers and higher education instructors** who want to:
* Reduce time spent on repetitive grading tasks
* Provide more detailed feedback to every student
* Maintain consistent grading standards across submissions
* Focus more time on teaching and less on paperwork
## What Makes GradingPal Different?
The AI grades based on criteria you define, not a generic algorithm
You always review and approve grades before students see them
Designed around real classroom workflows, not retrofitted from other tools
## Getting Started
Ready to save time on grading? Here's how to get started:
[Create a class manually](/teacher/classes-and-students/create-a-new-class) or [import from Google Classroom](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
[Choose your assignment type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type) and create your rubric
[Upload student work](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/upload-student-work) for AI grading
[Review scores and feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback) before returning
[Return submissions](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/return-submissions-feedback) to students
## Related Articles
* [3 Ways to Use GradingPal](/teacher/overview/3-ways-to-use-gradingpal)
* [Create a New Class](/teacher/classes-and-students/create-a-new-class)
* [Google Classroom Integration](/teacher/lms-integrations/google-classroom)
* [Select Assignment Type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type)
# Grade Essays
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/use-cases/grade-essays
Step-by-step guide to grading essays and written assignments with AI
This guide walks through grading essays and other written assignments using GradingPal's Writing & Essays assignment type.
***
## Overview
The Writing & Essays type is designed for:
* Essays and research papers
* Reflections and journals
* Creative writing
* Short answer responses
* Lab reports and written analysis
These are assignments where students express ideas in their own words and you evaluate using a rubric.
***
## Step-by-Step: Grading Essays
### 1. Create the Assignment
Go to your class and click **New Assignment**
Select **Writing & Essays**
Provide your essay prompt:
* Paste your existing prompt, or
* Upload your assignment document, or
* Generate one with AI
Add any reference materials students should use
### 2. Create or Import a Rubric
**Generate with AI:**
1. Click **Generate with AI**
2. Add custom instructions (e.g., "Align with Common Core writing standards")
3. Specify number of criteria and levels
4. Review and edit the generated rubric
**Reuse an existing rubric:**
1. Click **Use Existing** → **Reuse Existing**
2. Select from your previous rubrics
**Import from a document:**
1. Click **Use Existing** → **Import from File**
2. Upload your rubric document
**Create manually:**
1. Click **Add Criterion**
2. Define criteria like Thesis, Evidence, Organization, etc.
### 3. Configure Feedback Settings
| Setting | Recommendation for Essays |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Feedback Style** | Targeted (links feedback to specific rubric criteria) |
| **Feedback Length** | Detailed (essays benefit from thorough feedback) |
| **Feedback Leniency** | Balanced (mix of praise and constructive criticism) |
Add **Additional Instructions** for context:
* "This is a persuasive essay on climate change"
* "Students have read chapters 1-3 of To Kill a Mockingbird"
* "Focus on argumentative structure and use of evidence"
### 4. Upload Student Essays
Upload submissions from:
* Your device (PDF, Word documents)
* Google Drive
* Google Classroom (if connected)
Name files with student names for automatic matching (e.g., "Jane\_Smith\_Essay.pdf").
### 5. Review AI Grades
For each essay:
1. Read the AI-assigned rubric scores
2. Review feedback for each criterion
3. Look at the overall feedback summary
4. Adjust scores if needed
5. Edit feedback if you want to add personal comments
### 6. Return to Students
Once reviewed, return the graded essays so students can see their scores and feedback.
Learn about returning graded work to students
***
## Sample Essay Rubric
Here's an example rubric for a standard essay:
| Criterion | What It Evaluates |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Thesis/Claim** | Clear, arguable thesis statement |
| **Evidence & Support** | Use of relevant evidence to support claims |
| **Analysis** | Depth of analysis and critical thinking |
| **Organization** | Logical structure and transitions |
| **Writing Mechanics** | Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure |
Each criterion typically has 3-5 levels (e.g., Exemplary, Proficient, Developing, Beginning).
***
## Tips for Essay Grading
### Write a Clear Prompt
The more specific your assignment prompt, the better the AI understands what to look for:
**Vague:** "Write an essay about the book."
**Specific:** "Write a 3-5 paragraph persuasive essay arguing whether Atticus Finch is a hero or a flawed character. Use at least two quotes from the text to support your argument."
### Include Context in Additional Instructions
Help the AI understand your expectations:
* What was covered in class related to this assignment
* Specific skills you're assessing
* Common mistakes to watch for
* Grade level expectations
### Review a Sample First
Before grading the whole class:
1. Upload 2-3 essays
2. Review the AI grades and feedback
3. Adjust your rubric or instructions if needed
4. Then upload the rest
### Use Targeted Feedback Style
For essays, **Targeted** feedback is usually best because it:
* Connects feedback to specific rubric criteria
* Shows students exactly where they earned or lost points
* Provides actionable improvement suggestions
***
## Common Essay Types
### Persuasive/Argumentative Essays
**Key criteria:**
* Clear thesis/claim
* Quality of evidence
* Counterargument consideration
* Logical reasoning
**Additional instructions example:**
> "Evaluate whether the student effectively addresses counterarguments and whether their evidence directly supports their thesis."
### Analytical Essays
**Key criteria:**
* Depth of analysis
* Use of textual evidence
* Interpretation quality
* Connections drawn
**Additional instructions example:**
> "Focus on whether students move beyond summary to provide original analysis of the text."
### Research Papers
**Key criteria:**
* Source quality and variety
* Proper citations
* Synthesis of sources
* Original contribution
**Additional instructions example:**
> "Check for proper MLA citation format. Evaluate whether sources are integrated smoothly into the argument."
***
## Handling Special Cases
### Very Long Essays
For lengthy research papers:
* AI processes the full document
* Consider detailed feedback length
* Review may take slightly longer
### Creative Writing
For creative pieces:
* Use a rubric focused on craft elements (voice, imagery, structure)
* Consider Glow & Grow feedback style
* Add instructions like "Evaluate creativity and originality alongside technical skill"
### ESL/ELL Students
Add context in additional instructions:
* "Student is an English language learner; focus feedback on organization and content over minor grammar issues"
***
## Related Articles
* [Set Up Writing & Multi-Media Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-writing-multimedia-assignments)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
* [Reuse Rubric](/teacher/assignment-management/reuse-rubric)
* [Return Submissions & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/return-submissions-feedback)
# Grade Quizzes
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/use-cases/grade-quizzes
Step-by-step guide to grading quizzes with automatic question extraction and AI grading
This guide walks through grading quizzes using GradingPal's Quiz assignment type.
***
## Overview
The Quiz type is designed for:
* Pop quizzes
* Reading checks
* Vocabulary tests
* Concept reviews
* Exit tickets with questions
* Weekly check-ins
* Quick assessments
Quizzes typically have a mix of question types and are shorter than full exams.
***
## Step-by-Step: Grading Quizzes
### 1. Create the Assignment
Go to your class and click **New Assignment**
Select **Quizzes**
Enter a quiz title (e.g., "Chapter 3 Reading Quiz")
Upload your quiz PDF
Set optional publish and due dates
### 2. AI Extracts Questions
GradingPal automatically:
1. Analyzes your quiz document
2. Identifies and numbers each question
3. Detects question types (multiple choice, short answer, etc.)
4. Pulls point values from your document
Processing typically takes 30 seconds to 1 minute.
### 3. Review Question Outline
Verify that questions were extracted correctly:
* All questions appear in order
* Question text is complete
* Question types are accurate
Make corrections if needed:
* Edit question text
* Change question types
* Add or remove questions
### 4. Configure Question Rubrics
For each question, review the auto-generated rubric:
**Multiple Choice / True-False:**
* Default: Correct (full points) / Incorrect (0 points)
* No changes usually needed
**Short Answer:**
* Add the correct answer for better grading accuracy
* Configure partial credit if applicable
**Extended Response:**
* Review the multi-criteria rubric
* Adjust criteria and point allocations
### 5. Add Answer Keys
For best results, add correct answers:
1. Click on a question's rubric
2. Enter the correct answer
3. Include acceptable variations for short answer
**Example for short answer:**
> "Acceptable answers: mitochondria, the mitochondria, Mitochondria"
### 6. Upload Student Quizzes
Upload completed quizzes from:
* Device (scanned PDFs, photos)
* Google Drive
* Google Classroom
### 7. Review Grades
For each student quiz:
1. Review scores for each question
2. Check that multiple choice was graded correctly
3. Verify short answer interpretations
4. Adjust scores where needed
### 8. Return to Students
Return quizzes with scores and feedback when ready.
***
## Question Types on Quizzes
GradingPal recognizes these question types:
| Type | How It's Graded |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Multiple Choice** | Exact match to correct answer |
| **True/False** | Exact match (T/F, True/False) |
| **Short Answer** | Compared to answer key with some flexibility |
| **Fill in the Blank** | Compared to correct answer(s) |
| **Matching** | Points per correct pair |
| **Numerical** | Compared to correct value (with tolerance if set) |
***
## Tips for Quiz Grading
### Quick Setup
For simple quizzes:
1. Upload your quiz PDF
2. Review the outline (usually accurate for straightforward quizzes)
3. Add answer keys for each question
4. Approve and start grading
Most quizzes can be set up in under 5 minutes.
### Answer Key Best Practices
**Multiple choice:**
* Just specify the correct letter: "B"
**True/False:**
* Accept variations: "True, T, true"
**Short answer:**
* List acceptable answers: "cell membrane, plasma membrane, the cell membrane"
* Include common misspellings if you'd accept them
**Numerical:**
* Specify the exact answer: "42"
* Set tolerance for calculations: "3.14 (accept 3.1-3.2)"
### Grading Scanned Quizzes
For handwritten quizzes that you scan:
* Use good lighting
* Ensure answers are clearly marked
* AI reads bubbled-in answers and written text
* Review carefully for hard-to-read handwriting
### Multiple Versions
If you have multiple quiz versions (A/B):
1. Create separate assignments for each version
2. Upload the corresponding version's PDF
3. Grade each version with its own answer key
***
## Sample Quiz Setups
### Vocabulary Quiz (10 questions)
**Question types:**
* 5 matching (word to definition)
* 5 fill-in-the-blank sentences
**Point structure:**
* 1 point per question
* Total: 10 points
**Rubric setup:**
* Add correct matches
* List acceptable word forms (capitalized, lowercase)
### Reading Comprehension Quiz
**Question types:**
* 3 multiple choice
* 2 short answer
* 1 quote identification
**Point structure:**
* Multiple choice: 2 points each
* Short answer: 3 points each
* Quote identification: 4 points
* Total: 16 points
### Science Concept Quiz
**Question types:**
* 5 true/false
* 3 short answer
* 2 diagram labeling
**Point structure:**
* True/false: 1 point each
* Short answer: 2 points each
* Diagram: 3 points each
* Total: 17 points
***
## Quiz vs. Other Assignment Types
| Use Case | Recommended Type |
| ------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| Quick 10-question reading check | Quiz |
| End-of-unit test with essay | Exam |
| Math problem solving | Problem Set |
| Single essay response | Writing & Essays |
| Practice worksheet | Worksheet |
| Comprehensive midterm | Exam |
***
## Troubleshooting
* Verify the answer key has the correct letter
* Check that the question was detected as multiple choice
* For scanned quizzes, ensure bubbles are clearly filled
If a correct answer was marked wrong:
* Check the answer key includes that variation
* Add the missing acceptable answer
* Adjust the score manually for this submission
For quizzes with many questions or complex formatting:
* Processing may take up to 2 minutes
* If it fails, check that the PDF is readable
* Try re-uploading if issues persist
***
## Related Articles
* [Set Up Structured Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-structured-assignments)
* [Select Assignment Type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
* [Grade Worksheets](/teacher/use-cases/grade-worksheets)
# Grade Worksheets
Source: https://docs.gradingpal.com/teacher/use-cases/grade-worksheets
Step-by-step guide to grading worksheets and structured practice assignments
This guide walks through grading worksheets and other structured practice assignments using GradingPal's Worksheet assignment type.
***
## Overview
The Worksheet type is designed for:
* Fill-in-the-blank exercises
* Labeling diagrams
* Matching exercises
* Guided practice activities
* Reading comprehension questions
* Vocabulary practice
* Review packets
These are assignments with multiple distinct questions where each question has specific expected answers.
***
## Step-by-Step: Grading Worksheets
### 1. Create the Assignment
Go to your class and click **New Assignment**
Select **Worksheets**
Enter an assignment title (e.g., "Chapter 5 Vocabulary Worksheet")
Upload your worksheet PDF
### 2. Wait for Question Extraction
GradingPal's AI automatically:
1. Reads your worksheet document
2. Identifies each question
3. Detects question types (fill-in-blank, matching, short answer, etc.)
4. Extracts point values if present
This takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on worksheet length.
### 3. Review the Question Outline
Verify the extracted questions:
* Check that all questions were found
* Confirm question text is accurate
* Fix any extraction errors
If a question is missing:
* Click **Add Question** to add it manually
If something was incorrectly identified as a question:
* Click the menu (three dots) → **Remove**
### 4. Approve Question Rubrics
For each question, the AI generates an appropriate rubric:
| Question Type | Default Rubric Style |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Fill-in-the-blank | Correct/Incorrect |
| Matching | Points per correct match |
| Short answer | Criteria-based with partial credit |
| True/False | Correct/Incorrect |
**Add answer keys** for better accuracy:
1. Click on a question's rubric
2. Add the correct answer in the criteria
3. Include acceptable variations if applicable
### 5. Upload Student Worksheets
Upload completed student worksheets:
* Scanned PDFs work well
* Photos of handwritten worksheets are supported
* Digital worksheets (typed) also work
### 6. Review and Return
1. Review AI-assigned scores for each question
2. Check that partial credit was applied correctly
3. Adjust scores if needed
4. Return to students
***
## Tips for Worksheet Grading
### Provide Answer Keys
Adding correct answers to your rubrics dramatically improves accuracy:
**Without answer key:**
AI interprets what might be correct based on the question.
**With answer key:**
AI compares student responses to your specified answers.
For fill-in-the-blank, include acceptable variations:
> "Correct answers: photosynthesis, photo-synthesis, Photosynthesis"
### Use Clear Formatting
Worksheets with clear formatting extract better:
* Number questions clearly (1, 2, 3 or 1a, 1b, 2a, etc.)
* Use consistent spacing
* Separate sections visually
* Include point values when possible
### Handle Different Question Types
**Matching questions:**
* AI can recognize matching formats
* Each correct pair earns points
* Specify how many points per match
**Diagram labeling:**
* Works best when labels are clearly numbered
* Add descriptions of what each label should be
**Multiple choice (on worksheets):**
* AI identifies the selected answer
* Grades against the correct option
### Scanning Tips
For handwritten worksheets:
* Use good lighting when photographing
* Ensure text is legible
* Flatten pages before scanning
* Use high contrast settings
***
## Sample Worksheet Setups
### Vocabulary Worksheet
**Questions extracted:**
* 10 fill-in-the-blank sentences
* 5 matching word-to-definition pairs
**Rubric approach:**
* 1 point per correct fill-in-the-blank
* 1 point per correct match
* Total: 15 points
### Reading Comprehension Worksheet
**Questions extracted:**
* 3 multiple choice questions
* 4 short answer questions
* 1 extended response question
**Rubric approach:**
* 1 point each for multiple choice (correct/incorrect)
* 2 points each for short answer (criteria-based)
* 5 points for extended response (multi-criteria rubric)
### Math Practice Worksheet
For math worksheets, consider using the **Problem Sets** type instead, which is optimized for:
* Step-by-step solution grading
* Partial credit for correct work
* Formula and calculation evaluation
***
## When to Use Worksheets vs. Other Types
| Assignment | Recommended Type |
| -------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| Vocabulary practice with fill-in-blank | Worksheets |
| Reading comprehension questions | Worksheets |
| Math problem sets | Problem Sets |
| Single essay with one prompt | Writing & Essays |
| 5 short-answer questions (all writing) | Worksheets |
| Matching and labeling exercises | Worksheets |
| Unit test with mixed question types | Quiz or Exam |
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## Troubleshooting
If questions aren't detected properly:
* Check that questions are clearly numbered
* Ensure the PDF is readable (not blurry)
* Add missing questions manually
* Remove incorrectly identified questions
For difficult handwriting:
* Review the AI's interpretation
* Adjust scores manually where needed
* Consider having students type responses next time
If extracted points don't match your document:
* Edit point values in the rubric step
* Adjust individual question rubrics as needed
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## Related Articles
* [Set Up Structured Assignments](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/setup-structured-assignments)
* [Select Assignment Type](/teacher/grade-your-assignment/select-assignment-type)
* [Review AI Scores & Feedback](/teacher/grades-and-feedback/review-ai-scores-feedback)
* [Grade Quizzes](/teacher/use-cases/grade-quizzes)