---
title: "Marking quick guide"
slug: "marking-quick-guide"
tags: ["marker"]
updated: 2026-05-28T11:22:53Z
published: 2026-05-28T11:22:53Z
canonical: "help.cirrusassessment.com/marking-quick-guide"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cirrusassessment.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick start: Assessing

***Use this guide to mark exams in Cirrus.***

This guide helps assessors understand the marking process under the [Assess tab](/v1/docs/assess).

### Marking steps

1. In the main menu, go to **Marking** and open the **Assess** tab.
2. Open an exam.
3. The [Submissions tab](/v1/docs/submissions) opens, listing all candidates who took this exam.

![Screenshot 2024-03-22 at 11.02.44.png](https://cdn.document360.io/cdfc20c8-6721-4154-b0a1-9f49f139d107/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202024-03-22%20at%2011.02.44.png)

1. Click on a candidate to view their [list of questions](/v1/docs/candidate-summary-screen).
2. Click on the first question to begin [scoring](https://help.cirrusassessment.com/docs/scoring).

#### Scoring

              Auto-scored questions

              

Automatically scored questions already have a score. Depending on the assessment settings, you may or may not be able to change the score of automatically scored questions.

- Enter or adjust the score in the scoring panel on the right and click **Save**.
- The scoring panel also allows you to switch to the Marking Scheme (if available).
- Use the **Save** button dropdown for additional options.
- Use the candidate and question navigation to grade vertically or horizontally.
- Open questions may have criteria-based marking. In this case, criteria sliders appear in the scoring panel for you to determine the score.

#### Annotations

You can add annotations to open questions using the three buttons at the bottom of the scoring panel.

![annotations-marking.png](https://cdn.document360.io/cdfc20c8-6721-4154-b0a1-9f49f139d107/Images/Documentation/annotations-marking.png)

1. Pencil - annotate in yellow
2. Strikethrough - annotate in red
3. Comments - view comments from other assessors (optional)

- Use the breadcrumb navigation at the top left to return to the overview.
- Use the **Progress Report** tab on the overview page for a full overview of your marking progress.

#### Submitting scores

Once you have finished marking:

1. Go back to the Submissions page.
2. Select all fully assessed candidates.
3. Click **Submit scores** at the top.

Your scores are submitted and ready to be moderated or [published](/v1/docs/results).