Use this article to choose the right marking workflow for an assessment. Cirrus supports a fully automated path, a simple manual path, and an extended workflow with multiple markers and moderators. Which one to use depends on the question types in the assessment and how many people need to score each script.
The three workflows
| Workflow | When to use | Set up at |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-scored | The assessment only contains closed (auto-scored) questions and you do not need to override any scores. | Publish step, choose Auto-scored. |
| Scheduler is assessor | Mix of question types or auto-scored only, but one person will mark in one round (typically the scheduler). | Publish step, choose Scheduler is assessor. |
| Coordinator assigns assessors | One or more markers do one or more marking rounds, with optional moderation. | Publish step, choose Coordinator assigns assessors. |
The workflow is locked in when you publish the assessment, so confirm the question mix and process before publishing. See Publish an assessment.
Auto-scored
When the assessment contains only auto-scored questions and you do not need a manual review, select Auto-scored at publish time.
- Cirrus skips the marking module entirely.
- Scores are calculated as soon as candidates submit.
- Results follow the publication settings in Assessment options.
- Submissions appear in Reports without a marking step.
Manually score auto-scored questions
If the assessment is auto-scored but you want the option to override scores by hand, still use a manual workflow at publish time.
- Submissions land on the Assess tab with their auto-scores already attached.
- Markers can adjust scores where needed and submit.
This is the right setting for closed-question exams where appeals or quality checks are likely.
Scheduler is assessor
Pick this when one person, typically the scheduler, marks every script in one pass:
- The scheduler is automatically the assigned marker.
- No coordinator step is needed.
- Used for small cohorts or where the same person plans and marks.
Coordinator assigns assessors
Pick this when more than one person marks, or when markers and moderators sit in distinct roles:
- A coordinator sets up the marking workflow on the schedule. See Coordinating marking.
- One or more markers are assigned, by candidate or by item.
- Moderation rounds can be added on top: sample-based or rule-based.
- Supports single, dual, or blind marking, anonymous marking, and shared annotations.
See Coordinator dashboard for the coordinator-side view, and Assess for the marker-side view.
Picking a workflow
A short decision path:
- Are all questions auto-scored, and do you trust the scores? Use Auto-scored.
- Will one person mark, in one pass? Use Scheduler is assessor.
- More than one marker, or moderation? Use Coordinator assigns assessors.
If you are unsure, Coordinator assigns assessors is the safest choice: it can model the other two workflows but also scales up.