Some Test Attempts Not Grading Automatically

Instructions for identifying the circumstances causing some student's test attempts to display a Needs Grading indicator for tests that should be auto-graded.

Issue/Question

Some test attempts are not being automatically graded. Other attempts on the same test are being graded as expected.

Cause

There are two possible causes for this issue:

1. The test has a time limit but does not auto-submit when the limit is reached.
2. The test has a Due Date that falls before the Display Until date, or a Due Date is defined but no Display Until date is defined, allowing students to submit the test after the Due Date.

Blackboard displays the Needs Grading indicator in these instances so that the instructor may take punitive measures (point deductions) where the student completed the work late or exceeded the allotted time.

Resolution

To determine which cause is responsible for the behavior:

1. Locate the test link in the content area where it is deployed.
2. Click the beside the test name.
3. Select Edit Test Options.
4. Locate the Set Timer setting.
   1. If Set Timer is checked and Auto-Submit is set to OFF, then Cause #1 is likely the culprit. To verify:
      1. Go to the Grade Center.
      2. Locate one of the attempts in question.
      3. Click the beside the Needs Grading indicator.
      4. Click the attempt.
      5. At the top of the page, click Test Information.
      6. Look for an OVERTIME indicator beside Time Elapsed and the time in red text.  The presence of the indicator verifies Cause #1.  You may skip step 5.
   2. If Set Timer is not checked or Auto-Submit is set to ON, then proceed to step 5.
5. On the Test Options page, locate the Display Until setting and the Due Date setting.
   1. If the Due Date falls before the Display Until date, or if a Due Date is set and no Display Until date is defined, then Cause #2 is likely the culprit. To verify:
      1. Go to the Grade Center.
      2. Locate one of the attempts in question.
      3. Click the beside the Needs Grading indicator.
      4. Click the attempt.
      5. At the top of the page, click Test Information.
      6. Look for a LATE indicator beside the Started Date and/or Submitted Date.  The presence of the indicator verifies Cause #2.

The instructor will need to view each attempt, make point adjustments if desired, and click Submit.