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How to Adjust Grading Rigor and Feedback in CoGrader

Set rigor, reading level, length and tone, make grading stricter or more lenient, and fix feedback that doesn't match your expectations.

Written by Gabriel Chi

Grading parameters control how strictly CoGrader grades and how its feedback reads. You can set them when you create an assignment and change them at any time after grading. If grades or feedback still don't match what you expect, adjust the rubric or give CoGrader extra instructions.

The four grading parameters

  • Rigor (how strictly CoGrader grades): Tolerant (lenient), Balanced (moderate), Strict (high rigor) or Auto (CoGrader decides from the rubric).

  • Reading Level (how complex the feedback language is): Basic (under 11), Average (ages 11 to 17) or Advanced (young adults and adults).

  • Length: Concise (short and to the point) or Thorough (longer explanations of the grade).

  • Tone: Friendly (encouraging) or Formal (neutral and professional).

When you select a rubric, CoGrader fills in recommended parameters for it. You can change any of them.

Set parameters when you create an assignment

On the assignment setup page, scroll to Grading parameters and choose Rigor, Reading Level, Length and Tone.

Make grading stricter or more lenient after grading

  1. Open the assignment and click the pencil icon under Grading parameters.

2. Under Rigor, choose Tolerant or Balanced for more lenient grading, or Strict for tougher grading.

3. Click Regrade so CoGrader applies the change.

Tip: changing several settings? Update the rubric, grading parameters and feedback style first, then regrade once.

If grades or feedback still don't match

Adjust the rubric. If you want to change how strictly one criterion is graded, or the rubric doesn't fit the grade level, edit the rubric or switch to a better one, then click Regrade all. See How to Edit, Change or Organize a Rubric.

Give CoGrader extra instructions. Type in the instruction box on the feedback page to ask CoGrader to be more lenient or strict, or to change how it phrases feedback, for one essay or for all of them. See How to Add Additional Grading Instructions Using the Chat Option.

Check your prompt. Paste the exact prompt you gave students. See How Your Assignment Prompt Influences CoGrader's Feedback.

Learn more with CoGrader Certifications

  • Bronze (Basics): import assignments, set up grading and deliver faster feedback.

  • Silver (Rubrics & Customization): design rubrics and customized criteria so CoGrader grades the way you expect. Best if your grades often don't match your rubric.

  • Gold (Transforming Teaching): design assessments for deeper learning.

Explore them here: CoGrader Certifications

Always review CoGrader's grades and feedback before you share them with students.

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