Change assignment grading settings after students begin work

Updated 19 Feb 2024

When you open an assignment's grading settings page, Mastering shows a message if any students have started an assignment to warn you that changes can affect student assignment scores.

There may be situations where a setting change is needed, even if some changes mean students in the same course will have different assignment experiences or are graded differently.

After students begin a standard assignment (includes parent assignments), you can change any grading or presentation setting for the entire class except for the following because of possible changes to scores.

  • Allow students to take assignment up to X times and keep best score — After students start work, you cannot turn this setting off or decrease the number of attempts. You can increase the number of attempts for a multiple attempt assignment after students start it.
  • Assignment Has a Time Limit — You cannot change this setting after students have started the assignment. You can change the time limit on a timed assignment for selected students by adjusting settings per student.
  • The scores for assignment questions that students completed earlier are recalculated based on your new grading changes. Details about grading-specific settings

    For example, you can change an assignment’s credit status from for practice to credit after students have worked the assignment. (The Gradebook should reflect the recalculations within a few hours.)

    You cannot change the credit status for Interactive Labs that students have started.

  • The assignment Grading Policy, which is visible to students, is updated immediately when you make a change.

After students begin an Adaptive Follow-Up assignment, you can change any of its settings except the Length (number of question sets).

You can also make changes, like adjusting points or giving an extension for selected students by adjusting settings per student.

  • Total points: Scores for the entire Follow-Up, individual question sets, and parts within each question set are recalculated and reflected in all Mastering pages where you or students see grades displayed.
  • Due: An earlier relative due date could cause students to lose points if they are penalized for items submitted late.
  • Test Out: Changes to this setting affect only the students who have not started the Follow-Up.

See also: About grading settings | Grading settings and item scores | Use recommended grading strategies | Adjust scores and settings per student