In this guide, students will learn how to complete Online Assignments in Gradescope, including understanding question types, working with timed settings, submitting and resubmitting answers, and checking their work.
In this guide:
Online Assignments may include questions where you enter answers directly in Gradescope or upload images or files with your answers.
Online Assignments can contain these question types:
- Short answer: enter your response on Gradescope using a word, number/equation, or a few words. Responses are auto-graded as ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect’ based on an instructor-provided correct answer.
- Free response: enter your response on Gradescope using multiple lines or paragraphs.
- Multiple choice: select the single correct answer from a group of options on your screen.
- Select all: select all the correct answers from a group of options on your screen.
- File upload: answer the question outside of Gradescope and then upload a file or image of the answer.
Submitting an Online Assignment
- After you select the Online Assignment you want to work on, what you see next depends on whether the assignment is timed and has security settings.
- Not timed: If you see and can start answering your questions, your assignment is not timed, and there are no additional security measures. Continue to Step 2.
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Timed: If you see a dialog box about time limits, your assignment will be timed.
- Read the dialog box to find the due date, the latest date/time you can begin working, and a Maximum Time Permitted field showing how many minutes you will have to complete the assignment. While you work, a timer will appear on your screen, showing how many minutes are left.
- When you’re ready to open the assignment and start the timer, click the Start Assignment button.
- Once you start your assignment, read each question carefully and pay special attention to how your instructor has asked you to provide your answer. You could be asked to provide answers to more complex questions in multiple ways.
- For questions with file uploads, you'll see Select file(s) when you need to complete your work on that question outside of Gradescope (such as by handwriting it, drawing it, etc.) and then upload the images or files containing your answer.
Gradescope accepts all file types (except .heic) for file upload questions on online assignments.
Photos taken with an iPhone in portrait mode cannot be uploaded to Gradescope because of the file format produced by portrait mode (.heic).
If a student encounters this issue, you can recommend one of the following options:
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Retake the photo without portrait mode enabled.
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Adjust iPhone camera settings to save images as .jpg files automatically, then re-upload.
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Convert the image to .jpg using a third-party app or website before uploading.
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- As you work, you can track how many questions you’ve finished and how many you have left along the top of your screen. Saving or submitting answers is slightly different based on whether or not your assignment is timed.
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Not timed: You will need to click the Submit Answer button as you finish each question. You’ll see a timestamp next to each answer you submit. Along the top of your screen, you can also track how many questions you’ve answered or started, but haven’t submitted.
- Any answers you haven’t submitted will have an asterisk next to them in your assignment.
- Timed: Your answers will be autosaved as you complete them. You will not have a button to submit each one.
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Not timed: You will need to click the Submit Answer button as you finish each question. You’ll see a timestamp next to each answer you submit. Along the top of your screen, you can also track how many questions you’ve answered or started, but haven’t submitted.
- When you’re finished with the assignment, select View Your Submission to check your work.
- During the allotted time (if your instructor set a time limit) and submission period, you can resubmit (by selecting Resubmit) or update your answers as many times as needed.
- You will be graded based on your final answer for each question.
Submission notifications
Except for Online Assignments, Gradescope emails you a receipt after each submission with the submission time, due date, late due date (if your instructor sets one), and a link to your work.
The email also reminds you that you can resubmit until the due date passes or the timer runs out (if your assignment is timed).