Rescoring changes the score on a question for every candidate in a schedule. Use it when a mistake is discovered in a question after marking or publication: rather than redoing each candidate, you fix the question once and Cirrus recalculates the affected scores. For a per-candidate appeal, use Remarking instead.
When rescoring applies
- A question turns out to be ambiguous or incorrect.
- The marking scheme had an error that affects every candidate.
- A specific question needs to be removed from the calculation.
Two simple worked examples on a 2-item exam (1 MC + 1 Numeric, 1 point each):
| Rescore action | Candidate score |
|---|---|
| Give full score for the numeric question | 2 / 2 |
| Remove the numeric question | 1 / 1 |
Permissions
Two permissions in combination:
- Admin > Roles > Marking > View rescoring tab: gives the user access to the Rescoring tab.
- Admin > Users > [user] > Hierarchy > Rescore (inherits down): grants rescoring access for specific hierarchies.
Without both, rescoring is hidden.
Open the rescoring tab
Open Marking > Rescoring.
The tab lists every schedule that:
- Has all results submitted.
- Has a schedule window that has ended.
- Uses a fixed form (rescoring is not available for LOFT / Random forms).
Schedules with no submitted work do not appear.
Rescore a question
- Select a schedule on the rescoring tab.
- The questions delivered in that schedule list out, with their performance statistics (P, PC, RIT, RIR, attempt counts).
- Use the performance data to identify questions to act on.
- Select a question.
- Pick a rescore option (see below).
- Apply.
Rescoring can be done both before and after results are published. The schedule must have ended either way.
Rescore options
- Remove the question from scoring: the question no longer counts towards the pass mark or grade for any candidate on the schedule.
- Grant full score: every candidate receives the maximum points for this question.
- Change correct answer or score: for Multiple choice, Multiple response, Either/Or, you can change the correct answer. For most types, you can change the maximum score. For Essay and File response, you can adjust the score per criterion when criteria-based marking is in use.
A question can only be rescored once per schedule. Once you have applied a rescore action, that question is locked from further changes on that schedule. Plan the change carefully.
Draft rescore and preview the effect
Before applying a rescore, you can save the change as a draft and pre-calculate how it would affect every candidate's score and the pass / fail outcome. The draft does not change live results; review the projected outcomes, then either apply or discard.
Effect of rescoring
- All candidate scores on the schedule are recalculated immediately.
- The pass / fail outcome may change for candidates at the boundary.
- Item statistics for the affected question and the affected schedule are recalculated. See Assessment performance for the recalculation rules.
- A star icon marks rescored questions on Candidate results.
Rescoring versus remarking
- Rescoring: applies to every candidate on the schedule. Cohort-wide.
- Remarking: applies to one or a few candidates. Used for appeals.
Use the one that fits the scope of the issue.
Score distribution and rescoring
The Score distribution dashboard links directly to the rescoring tab. When a question's distribution looks wrong, you can jump to rescoring from the dashboard.