Grading - Bubble Sheet Best Practices

Before you get started, it is important to note these basic requirements for use.

1. Printers must be configured to print the bubble sheets in Grayscale. You can set this by going to Preferences in your print menu, selecting Color, and checking the Grayscale option.  Printing when your printer is not set to Grayscale could result in errors reading the scanned images.
2. Scanned bubble sheet files should be saved in PDF, JPEG or PNG format with a minimum of 150 DPI. 
3. Bubble sheets must be printed on white paper only.  Using any type of colored paper could result in errors reading the scanned images.
4. Printed, pre-slugged bubble sheets must be clear and free of marks in order to be readable.  Low toner or defects in the printer that cause fading or marks on the page will result in errors reading the scanned images.
5. The bar code printed on the side of each bubble sheet must be straight and clear.  Distortions in the bar code will result in errors reading the scanned images.
6. Testers may use a #2 pencil, black or blue pen, or other writing instrument that makes dark marks.
7. The bubble area (the area within the answer circle) must be clear and dark.  Answer bubbles must be filled in completely, not circled.  Answers that are too light or that are circled and not bubbled-in could result in errors reading the scanned images.
8. Changes to answers must be completely erased. Do not use white-out.
9. The bubble sheets must be void of all writing or marks beyond the bubbled-in answers.  Additional marks will result in errors reading the scanned images.
10. The bubble sheets must be loaded correctly into the scanner.  Scanning the bubble sheets with the wrong side up will result in errors reading the scanned images.
11. The scanning device must be free of any defects or blemishes on the glass or scanning cartridge.  Smudges, lines, or other imperfections caused by defects or blemishes during the scanning process will result in errors reading the scanned images.
12. We recommend that you test the process by creating a sample assessment and assignment before using the feature with a live assessment.

Example of bad bubble sheets to help you recognize problems before you start scanning.  Identified errors or problems with your bubble sheets should be corrected before you scan them. 

Correct bubble sheet: