> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gradingpal.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Build a rubric
> Get a rubric in front of you four ways, then edit any criterion, level or points before the AI grades against it.
export const updated_0 = "19 September 2026"
export const page_0 = "/teachers/create/build-a-rubric"
export const label_0 = "Open the Rubric Library in GradingPal"
export const href_0 = "https://app.gradingpal.ai/teacher/library"
export const who_0 = "Teachers and co-teachers"
export const plans_0 = "All plans"
export const where_0 = "The Rubric step of Guided setup, section 2 of Instant, and Edit rubric on the Assignment tab afterwards"
* **Who:** {who_0}
* **Plans:** {plans_0}
* **Where:** {where_0}
### Limits and notes
* A rubric holds up to 20 criteria. The add button reads **Maximum of 20 criteria** when you reach it.
* Reusing a library rubric makes a copy on this assignment. Editing the copy doesn't change the library, and editing the library doesn't change assignments already using it.
* Once grades have been shared, the rubric is locked.
## The parts of a rubric
A **criterion** is one thing you're judging, such as "Thesis & argument". Each criterion has **levels**, such as **Exemplary**, **Proficient**, **Developing** and **Beginning**, and each level has points and a description of what it looks like. The AI picks a level per criterion and cites evidence for it.
## Four ways to start
Under **Build your rubric**, choose one:
| Option | What happens |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Generate with AI** | Drafts criteria and levels from the assignment's details. Add a focus such as "emphasize use of evidence", set exact counts with **Set criteria & levels**, or turn on **Use point ranges**. Select **Generate** |
| **Reuse existing** | Opens **Reuse an existing rubric**: **My rubrics**, **From colleagues** and **Platform**, with search and filters. **Preview** any, then **Use this rubric**. The toast confirms the copy is the assignment's own |
| **Import a file** | Reads a rubric from a document on **Your computer** or **Google Drive** |
| **Start manually** | An empty rubric with four default levels, ready to fill in |
## Edit it
Type a **Rubric title**, such as "Argumentative Essay — Unit 4".
Give it a name \[1] and a one-line description of what it measures. Use **Move up** and **Move down** to reorder, and the criterion menu to remove one. **Add criterion** adds another.
Under **Levels**, each has a title, **Points** \[2] and a description of what that level looks like. **Add level** and **Remove level** change how many there are. Turn on **Point ranges** to give each level a minimum and maximum instead of one value.
Select **Save changes**. The toolbar shows the total points and the criterion count. In Guided, **Continue** needs at least one criterion.
A brand-new rubric also asks **Share with your school**, on by default, so colleagues can find and reuse it. Turn it off and only you see it.
## How to tell it worked
The toolbar reads, for example, **24 total points · 6 criteria**, and there's no **Unsaved changes** badge. On the Assignment tab, the **Rubric** section shows every criterion.
## If something goes wrong
A criterion or level is missing a title or points. The fields are ringed in red.
Select **Redraft with AI** in the toolbar and describe what to change, or ask GradingPal from the button at the bottom right.
Each level keeps its lower value and drops the upper one. Check the points after switching.
By design. The assignment has its own copy. Edit the rubric on the assignment's Assignment tab.
## Related tasks
* [Set grading rules and feedback](/teachers/create/grading-rules-and-feedback)
* [Change a score](/teachers/review/change-a-score)
* [Edit an assignment after setup](/teachers/create/edit-an-assignment)
Opens GradingPal on the screen this page describes.
Last updated {updated_0}
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