Scantron Test Scoring: Top 10 Best Practices

This is a reminder to the campus that DoIT offers Scantron Test Scanning and Scoring for grading of multiple choice exams or surveys. Jim Keys has put together this “Top 10 Best Practices” list based on his years of working with faculty/staff and the Scantron process. We also encourage users to look at the Scantron related FAQ's for more information.

1. Check with your Department about purchasing Scantron forms.  The UMBC Bookstore has the current forms that our Scantron machine reads.
2. Use a number 2 pencil to fill out the answer key.  After all answer keys have been bubbled in, please make sure to use AA00000 for the Campus ID field for ALL exam keys. If you have multiple versions of an exam and also multiple keys, use Column K (under the Special codes section on the Scantron form) to designate the exam version that corresponds to that key.  Make sure to tell the students to indicate which version of the exam they are taking on their Scantron form, so that they may be graded correctly.
3. Remind students to use a number 2 pencil and to fill in their own Campus ID in the lower left corner of the Scantron form.  The Scantron software recognized students my Campus ID, not by name.
4. When Scantron forms are collected please make sure that all forms face the same directions, with all keys placed on top.
5. A new Testbook Form cover sheet must be placed on top of each exam submitted for grading.  The cover sheet can be downloaded ffrom this FAQ article: https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/EgGRAQ.
6. Please make sure to fill out all information on the form (most importantly the course/section portion).  If you neglect to indicate the grading method desired (percent or points), your exam will be graded using points.
7. Prior to submitting your exam, place the Scantron forms in an interoffice envelope.  If there are too many to fit in one envelope, use multiple envelopes and include your name and course/section on each.  Exams may be dropped off with a full time Instructional Technology staff member in suite 101, Engineering Bldg. between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.  *Under no circumstances should Scantron forms be left on an unattended desk or chair *. If no one is available to receive your exam (or if you teach in the evening), place the envelope in the secure drop slot next to the door of room 004, Engineering Bldg.  There are intercampus envelopes and Testbook cover sheets on the door of 004 if needed.  If you use the secure drop slot, we request that you enter an RT ticket alerting us that you have done so.  Make sure to include the instructor's name, and the course name and section in the ticket.
8. Once the exam is scanned and scored, the resulting CSV file (and SDF file if requested) will be placed in a Scantron folder in the files portion of the Blackboard shell associated with your class.  At this time you will receive an RT ticket resolution email alerting you that the exams have been completed.
9. Please remember that there is a 48-hour turn around time on all exams.  Though DoIT staff may often complete exam scoring sooner, this is not always possible due to volume.
10. Finally, and most importantly, PLEASE COME BACK AND PICK UP COMPLETED EXAMS!  . 
    

If you have further questions concerning the Scantron Test Scoring process please contact the Technology Support Center at 410-455-3838 or visit our Scantron FAQ's.