Scantron FAQ
Scantron Quick Reference Guide
Q: Where are you located and what are your hours of operation?
A: We are located in the Computer Center (View Map) in the northwest corner of the engineering key. The building is marked by the words
COMPUTER on the outside of the building. Enter through the double glass doors.
Q: What are the hours of operation?
A: Normal hours for scantron grading are from 8AM to Noon and 1PM to 5PM Monday through
Friday. Extended hours are available during finals. Generally, extended hours are
8AM to 8PM Monday through Friday, and for finals occuring on a Saturday the Scantron
grading is available from 10 AM to 5 PM. We are open through the lunch hour only during
finals. Hours for summer finals vary. Hours will be posted via TechAnnounce and at
the Computer Center.
Q: What is a CRN and where can I find it?
A: The CRN is the five digit course request number assigned to every course offered
in each department. It replaced the 4-digit Department Number, 4-digit Course Number
and the 3-digit Section Number. You locate the CRN by signing into raiderlink.ttu.edu
and clicking on the Faculty/Advisor tab.
Q: Does the CRN change for each semester?
A: The CRN for a department/course/section is different for each term.
Q: What additional Scantrons do I need when submitting my test for grading?
A: After administering your test, you will need a KEY. The Key sheet has the correct
answers and must have the CRN and chosen options bubbled in for the class you tested;
WEIGHT - tells the system the point value of the questions; and, TRAILER - signifies
to the system the end of each test. Please have all this completed when bringing your
tests to be graded. Failure to do so delays the processing of your tests, especially
during mid-terms and finals. Each test must have its own Key, Weight and Trailer.
Q: Can I use my key from last semester?
A: We prefer that you do not reuse your old key sheet. The scanner hardware may sense
an erased bubble and will reject the file. Although your test(s) will be graded and
the results printed, the system will not recognize the CRN and will reject it and
delay the processing of the file.
Q: Which Scantron sheet do the options go on?
A: All options chosen must be on the Key (answer) sheet. You may use more than one
option on your key. These options are labeled A through D.
Q: How do I complete the key, weight and trailer?
A: Once your answers are bubbled on the key and your options have been chosen, please
complete the section labeled 'Sheet Type' located at the bottom of each Scantron.
The 'Key' is sheet type A, 'Weight' is sheet type W, and the 'Trailer' is both A and
W. Sheet type is how the software identifies the key, weight & trailer. Sheet Type
A & Option A are two different things.
Q: Can there be more than one answer per question?
A: No. Only one answer per question.
Q: How do I omit a question(s) from being graded?
A: In the area to the right of 'Options' on the 'Key' sheet, leave the 'A' blank,
as well as leaving the omitted answer(s) blank on the ‘Key’. On the 'Weight' sheet,
mark a weight for each question you wish to grade leaving blank the weight of the
question(s) that is not to be graded. This will eliminate the question(s) from being
graded.
Q: What does the equal weight option (option A) mean?
A: The 'Weight' sheet determines the point value of each answer: from 1 to 5 points
(Orange 5-response); and 1 to 10 points (Red 10-response). If you want the answers
to be given equal weight, mark 'Option A' on the 'Key' sheet. This option equally
weights the questions. For example: Bubbling in the letter B (Orange 5-response) or
bubbling in the number 2 (Red 10-response) makes all questions worth two points per
question. Equal weight means that if there are 10 questions, based on a 100 point
scale, all questions will be worth 10 points. If there are 50 questions, then each
correct answer is worth two (2) points.
Q: How do I give different points per questions?
A: On the 'Key' sheet, leave the equal weight option (A) blank. On the 'Weight' sheet,
bubble the desired weights for each question. Each question will need a weight value.
Maximum value for a question: 5 (Orange 5-response sheets); and, 10 (Red 10-response
sheets).
Q: Does the system grade with fractions?
A: No. The system will only grade with whole numbers. Fractions are part of a percentage,
i.e. if seven questions are answered; the point value is worth 14.3 per correct question
for the raw score, which is rounded to the nearest whole number. In this case, the
percentage score will be more accurate.
Q: What does “ALTERNATE FORM” (option B) mean?
A: An alternate form allows for seven different grading options with only a combination
of two used for testing using only one key. An example would be Method 1 of the alternate
form: Direct Reversal. This method reverses the order of the 1 through 12 questions
with Form 1 equal to the answers based on the Key sheet, Form 2 based on the reverse
order of the answers on the Key sheet. The student needs to have the correct test
question sheet with the appropriate form number bubbled. Two versions of the test
with its own key, weight & trailer is not a true alternate form test. NOTE: Do not
use this option if you have a different version of the test.
Q: Can I combine multiple section tests and use one Key to grade the tests?
A: Yes, you may combine multiple CRNs. Only one 'Key' sheet is used to grade your
test. Ensure all other CRNs are listed on the ‘Trailer’ sheet (in the name box at
the top) for the combined tested sections.
Q: What are the uses for the EXCEL and .PDF formats sent via email?
A: The EXCEL format is easier to use when trying to post grades. It allows you to
cut, sort and columnize and email file. PDF forms cannot be manipulated. The Student
Detail report (pdf) is used for electronic distribution; sending each student their
corresponding detailed results page.
Q: Who do I contact for testing instructions?
A: Call (806)742-7000, or email TOSM Production for assistance. We can furnish you with a Quick Reference Guide for Testing. At certain
times of the semester (mid-semester & finals), test processing is extremely busy.
If you know you will be using our free service, visit with us before the semester
begins.