In this tutorial, you'll learn how to configure the Advanced Rules section in CodeGrader when setting up an assignment. These settings help you customize how student submissions are graded, especially when fine-tuning feedback styles and grade granularity.
We’ll walk through the three main rules available—Precision Scoring, Zero Scores, and Tag Feedback Style—and show you what each one does and how to enable or disable them according to your grading needs.
Step-by-Step: Configuring Advanced Rules in CodeGrader
Access the Advanced Rules Section
Whether creating an assignment manually or importing one from your LMS, scroll down to the bottom of the setup screen.
Look for the Advanced Rules section.
Understand the Default Settings
By default, Precision Scoring and Zero Scores are turned on.
You’ll need to change these if you want different behavior manually.
Configure Precision Scoring
What it does: Allows CodeGrader to assign scores between rubric levels.
Example: With levels 1 to 5, CodeGrader can assign a 2.5, 3.5, etc.
How to use it:
Keep it on if you want more nuanced scoring.
Turn it off if you prefer students to only receive whole-level scores (e.g., just 3 or 4).
Configure Zero Scores
What it does: Automatically assigns a zero score for off-topic, empty, or nonsensical submissions (gibberish).
These essays bypass the rubric and get a 0 if this setting is on.
How to use it:
Keep it on to penalize submissions that aren’t valid attempts.
Turn it off if you want all submissions to at least receive the rubric’s minimum score (e.g., 0.5 with Precision Scoring on).
Configure Tag Feedback Style
What it does: Simplifies the grading process for formative assignments.
Instead of rubric-based feedback, students receive a single paragraph summarizing their performance.
How to use it:
Turn it on for quick, holistic feedback without selecting a rubric.
Turn it off to go back to standard rubric scoring with more detailed feedback structures.
Watch the video tutorial:
▶️ Loom Video: How to Use CodeGrader Advanced Rules