# Mark answers and give points

> Which question types are marked automatically, how to score open answers, use a rubric and grade a whole class quickly with keyboard shortcuts.

URL: https://learnworkly.com/help/feedback/marking-answers · Updated 2026-11-11

LearnWorkly marks most question types for you the moment a student answers. Open answers, such as writing, drawings, recordings and uploaded files, wait for you. You can change any score, including the automatic ones.

## Automatic or by you

| Question types | How they are marked |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice, True / False, Short answer, Number, Math | Automatically, when you have set the correct answer. Full points or zero. |
| Fill in the blank, Matching, Put in order, Categorize | Automatically, with partial points for each part that is right. |
| Free response, Drawing, Audio, File upload | By you. They show as **To grade** until you give a score. |

*[Screenshot: The Gradebook view of an assignment: one row per student with a status, a coloured score cell per question, Grade cells waiting for marking and a total column.]*

## Score an answer

1. **Open the answer** On the live view, click a student’s card in **By question**, or a cell in the **Gradebook**. Cells that say **Grade** are waiting for you.
2. **Give a score** Type the score next to **Score** (half points are allowed) and press **Save**, or press **Full marks** or **0**.
3. **Check the label** Under the score you see **Auto-graded — you can still change it.**, **Graded by you.** or **Not graded yet.**

## Grading with a rubric

Open questions can have a rubric of up to ten criteria, set in the activity editor. When you open such an answer, you pick the points for each criterion and press **Save**. The **Total** becomes the score, and students see the points for each criterion when scores are visible to them.

## Grade a whole class quickly

Press **Grade answers (n)** on the live view to go through every answer that still needs a score, question by question. After you grade one, the next opens by itself, and you see **All answers graded** when you are done. Use the **To grade** filter to see only the students with answers waiting.

## Keyboard shortcuts in the answer panel

| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| ← and → (or K and J) | Previous or next answer |
| F | Full marks (every criterion, for a rubric) |
| 0 to 9 | That score, for questions worth up to 9 points without a rubric |
| Esc | Close the panel |

## Late work and pass marks

> **Late work and pass marks:** If the homework has a **Late penalty**, the Gradebook total of late work shows the points taken off. With a **Pass mark**, students show as **Passed** or **Not passed** once their work is submitted and fully graded.

## Frequently asked questions

**Do students see scores as soon as I give them?**
That depends on **Show scores** in the assignment settings: as they answer, after they submit, or when you release them. See [Return results to students](https://learnworkly.com/help/feedback/returning-results).

**Can I see earlier attempts?**
Yes. When a student has made more than one attempt, the answer panel lists **Earlier attempts** with their scores. Click one to see that attempt’s answer.