Before you can finish creating an item for scoring you must have a scoring rubric assigned to it. This page guides you through the process of creating a scoring rubric. 

  1. Select Rubric Setup in the Setup/Configuration section of the left-hand navigation column.
  2. In the top menu bar, select +New Rubric.
    New Rubric button
  3. Enter a Rubric Name. This will be the label seen when assigning rubrics to items.
  4. Enter a Reference ID which will be used when working directly with the API.
  5. Select the following Settings as applicable:
    • Collect Evidence: This adds an additional text field for the scorer to add notes specific to each trait being scored (versus Text Traits).
      • Large Evidence Field:
    • Reverse Score Points: Scores from 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 are reversed to 4 | 3 | 2 | 1.
    • Prefill Scores: Sets a default scored value of 1.
    • Checklist: For Text Traits only, this adds a checklist to be completed by the scorer.
    • Annotation Tags

Trait Setup

There are two types of traits:

  • Numeric Traits: Provides scorers the ability to score a response using a range of numbers (from Min to Max), Optional Half Points, Weighting.
  • Text Traits: Provide the scorers an open option for providing a response for the response as a whole. Text Trait types are Text, Long Text and Text Select.

As traits are added, they are immediately visible in the Preview area, which will be on the right side or at the bottom of the page depending upon your screen width.

Add Numeric Trait

  1. Select Add Trait.
  2. Enter the following details for the new trait:
    • Name: Label seen by the scorer for the scoring rubric.
    • Min/Max: Sets the numeric range for the scoring 1 - 3 [ 1 | 2 | 3 ].
    • Step: Set the increment of available scores. For example, select '0.5' to allow scoring half point scoring [ 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5, etc. ].
    • Weight: The reported score of a trait is multiplied by the weight. For example:
      • Set a weight of 3 and if a scorer scores the trait as a 2, the score will be exported as a 6. 
      • Set a weight of 1 and if a scorer scores the trait as a 2, the score will be exported as a 2.
  • Score Point Descriptor icon Score Point Descriptors: For each possible score, you can add explanatory text for the trait scoring value. Select the Score Point Descriptor icon, enter text, and then select Done to return to the rubric setup.

Score point description screen

  • trait settings icon Trait Settings provide additional options for the trait.
      • Reported Name including External Trait ID and External Item ID.
      • Masked Score Points: Hide some of the sequential scores from the scorers [ 1 | 3 ].
      • Condition Codes: Add flags for scorers to set beyond the scoring rubric on the trait.  These might include codes to flag a response as a 'sensitive paper' or 'blank' (student didn't provide an answer).  Use the 'Inline Condition Codes' checkbox to display the condition code either under the scoring options, or next to.
        • The condition codes are defined during Tenant Setup as Flag Codes.
        • The system defined response to the condition codes is defined during Tenant Setup.
          • Withhold score or Apply score, Set as Alert, Require Score.
  • Score Point Comments: Additional information can be captured when a specific score is given, allowing the scorer to further justify or explain by choosing an option from a menu.
  • Linked Trait: When two traits are linked, one of the traits is hidden. The hidden trait will receive the same score as the visible trait when the response is scored.

Note:  The Add Page function allows the ability to do script-based marking. Ask support for additional information.

Example numeric traits

Add Text Trait

Select Add Text Trait.

Add text trait button

  • Name: Label seen by the scorer for the scoring rubric.
  • Type: Defines the delivery and entry rules for the text trait.
    • Text: Provide a small text box allowing a scorer to enter a small amount of text.
    • Long Text: Provide a scorer with a big text box for entering text.
    • Text Select: Create "choices" that a scorer can pick from in a menu.
      • Define the menu choices by clicking on Gear icon
  • Required: This requires the scorer to complete this text trait before they can submit this score.


Click this link to view a short video that demonstrates the steps.


Tiny Link: https://support.assessment.pearson.com/x/eIC4D