Test Scoring Services

The TLC provides a free test scoring service to all UCLA instructors who administer multiple-choice exams, to offer an efficient and accurate means of grading. The service also effectively generates reports to suit the instructor’s needs and help improve the testing process. The TLC is now offering support for Gradescope Bubble sheets for instructors who prefer a self-service option or want more customized grading tools.

TLC Test Scoring Service

Email: testscoring@teaching.ucla.edu
Location: 80 Powell Library

Test Scoring appointments are available Monday-Friday, 9 am-noon and 1:30 -4:30 pm.

Blank Scantron forms are available in your department’s administrative office.

General Policies

Please schedule scoring appointments at least two business days in advance. If you are unable to keep your appointment, use the links in your appointment confirmation email to cancel and/or reschedule.

Finals week is always our busiest time, and appointments often overflow into the following week due to the high demand for our service. We will do our best to accommodate appointments as quickly as possible.

You are expected to wait on-site in our designated waiting room while we process your exam, which usually takes 15-20 minutes. If an instructor or assistant is unable to stay for the duration of the test scoring, we will return the sheets and reschedule the appointment.

When Giving your Exam

All information must be filled out in No. 2 pencil. Fields/bubbled answers completed in pen will not be read by our scanners.
Name and ID # bubbles must start at the left edge of the field box and are required fields.
The ID # field is required on student response sheets; however, this number does not have to be a UID, it can be assigned by the instructor.
Blanks will be entered for students who do not provide a name or number. It is to instructors’ benefit to use these fields. If you do not require your students to fill out names and ID #’s, we will turn off the program’s ability to check for blank fields and only what students have bubbled will be recorded.

Scoring Parameters

Our current software does not allow for multiple correct answers. On an answer key a question can have:

One correct answer bubbled in = one correct answer scored
More than one answer bubbled in = ALL responses counted as correct (giving the point to all students who responded)
No answer bubbled in = the question is not counted

Our software also has the capacity to score:

Sub-tests (providing results for individual sections of the exam)
Weighted questions

We do not have the capability to merge test versions at this time.

Answer Sheets

Our specialized Scantron forms are provided free with the use of our service. These forms are full page, 200 questions maximum, and printed in blue. Using these forms will enable you to receive detailed reports in PDF and Excel formats.

Please pick up blank Scantron forms from your department’s administrative office. Our scanners are only able to read our specialized forms; no other answer sheets or photocopies may be used.

Alternatively, we have a Scantron 882 machine that can read the forms available in the UCLA Store. These 882 forms are half-sheet, 100 questions maximum, and printed in green. By using those forms, you will only be able to receive basic results printed directly on the Scantron sheet.

Report Options

We currently offer a standard set of reports, which are delivered via email following an appointment. Each version of the exam will have its own set of reports. Examples of each of the reports included are available by clicking the links below.

Gradescope Bubble Sheets

In addition to the TLC Test Scoring Service, UCLA also offers Gradescope, a self-service, multiple-choice exam grading tool which is integrated into Bruin Learn. Gradescope’s Bubble Sheet assignments allow instructors to print, scan, and score multiple-choice exams themselves and directly integrate results into their Bruin Learn gradebook.

Gradescope’s Bubble Sheet assignments allow instructors to:

Print exam sheets on plain letter paper from a standard template that can be downloaded directly in the interface.
Create a multiple-choice answer key for up to 200 questions.
Allow multiple correct answers, partial points, and other flexible grading options, all with instant re-scoring.
Scan completed paper answer sheets using any scanner or smartphone at any time.
Automatically grade responses once scans are uploaded.
Review or adjust uncertain marks manually before finalizing grades.
Export scores and analytics and/or push them directly into the Bruin Learn gradebook.

Bubble Sheets also provides advanced reports and analytics (e.g., item-level statistics) that help instructors understand class performance beyond just raw scores.

Gradescope Process

In Gradescope, create a Bubble Sheet assignment and answer key.
Print and distribute the bubble sheet template to administer the exam.
Scan completed submissions and upload to Gradescope.
Finalize and release scores (and publish to Bruin Learn gradebook).

Resources and Contacts

Getting Started with Bubble Sheets
TLC’s Using Gradescope to Deliver Assessments and Grade Efficiently teaching resource
Bruin Learn Support: bruinlearn-support@it.ucla.edu
Troubleshooting articles covering common issues can be found in the Gradescope Help Center.

TLC Test Scoring Service and Gradescope Bubble Sheets Feature Comparison

Feature / Functionality	Test Scoring Service	Gradescope Bubble Sheets
Service type	In-person service (TLC scoring machine required)	Self-service using any scanner
Initial setup required	No	Yes
Integration with Bruin Learn	No – PDF and Excel files of results are provided for importing	Yes – can post grades directly to Bruin Learn gradebook
Multiple correct answers allowed	No – only one correct answer per question	Yes – multiple correct answers per question
Exam Sheets	TLC-specific Scantron forms.	Printable Gradescope template
Rescores	Appointment needed – TLC staff must adjust answer key and rescore	Self-service – instructor can adjust answer key directly on Gradescope
Exam versions must be sorted?	Yes	No
Writing tools allowed?	#2 pencil only	Pencil & pen
Result Analytics/Reports	See Test Scoring Service Report Options section above	Gradescope Statistics Reports