--- title: "How To: Create and Use a Rubric during Grading in Atomic Assessments" description: This guide explains how to create a rubric item in Atomic Assessments that can be reused across assessments as a rubric reference during grading. --- [Skip to content](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/creating-and-using-a-rubric-during-grading-in-atomic-assessments#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [File a Support Ticket](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer Portal](https://support.atomicjolt.com/tickets-view?hsLang=en) ![Atomic Jolt Logo Horiz Small](https://support.atomicjolt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Atomic%20Jolt%20Logo%20Horiz%20Small.png?width=260&height=95&name=Atomic%20Jolt%20Logo%20Horiz%20Small.png) - [Release Notes Sign Up](https://share.hsforms.com/1iZCRfUF5QHeWYwcLC3bwEAdk6gc) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Release Notes Sign Up](https://share.hsforms.com/1iZCRfUF5QHeWYwcLC3bwEAdk6gc) - English Show submenu for translations - [File a Support Ticket](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/kb-tickets/new) - [Customer Portal](https://support.atomicjolt.com/tickets-view) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Atomic Jolt Knowledge Base](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase?hsLang=en) 2. [Atomic Assessments](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/atomic-assessments?hsLang=en) 3. [Grading & Feedback](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/atomic-assessments?hsLang=en#grading-feedback) # How To: Create and Use a Rubric during Grading in Atomic Assessments ## This guide explains how to create a rubric item in Atomic Assessments that can be reused across assessments as a rubric reference during grading. ### What is a Rubric Reference? A **rubric reference** is a rubric stored as a standalone item in your item bank. It can be attached to other items or used during manual scoring to ensure consistent grading based on shared criteria. A rubric reference can contain multiple questions to provide tailored rubric feedback *Figure 1: Shows how to setup and apply a Rubric Reference* --- #### Step 1: Create a Rubric Item 1. Navigate to the **Atomic Assessments** authoring interface from your LMS (e.g., Canvas or D2L). 2. **Create a New Item in the Content Manager** - Click on the More Options menu and select the Content Manager. Navigate to the Items tab. - Click **+ New Item**. - Give the item a clear title (e.g., `Argumentative Essay Rubric Reference`). 3. **Add a Rubric Elements** - In the item editor, click **+ Add** and select questions types you want to use. For essays, we recommend Choice Matrix. - Configure your rubric question. Below is an example for an essay question: - Add full rubric criteria in the Compose Question field (e.g., “Thesis,” “Evidence,” “Organization”). - Define the **criteria** and **performance levels** (e.g., “Excellent,” “Good,” “Needs Improvement”). In the Stems and Options sections. Click the **+Add** button to add more options. - Leave the correct answer blank and set the scoring type to Partial match per response. - Add any additional questions as necessary. 4. **Save and Publish the Item** - Save the item to your item bank. --- #### Step 2: Use the Rubric Item as a Reference 1. Copy the reference ID for your rubric item. 2. Go to the item you want to attach the rubric to and click edit 3. Scroll down in the More Options section for the question and find **Rubric Reference**. 4. Paste the ID of your rubric item in the field and Save the question. ![Screenshot 2025-09-15 at 11.28.29 AM](https://support.atomicjolt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-09-15%20at%2011.28.29%20AM.png?width=670&height=196&name=Screenshot%202025-09-15%20at%2011.28.29%20AM.png) *Figure 2: Shows where to input the item reference in "More Options"* --- #### Step 3: Grading 1. Navigate to a student attempt in the Reports section of an assessment using your rubric. 2. In the attempt reviewer, the teacher feedback field will be replaced with the rubric item. ### Rubric in student feedback section In the student feedback section the student can see the way in which their answer was graded, using the rubric. ![Screenshot 2025-10-27 at 10.23.49 AM](https://support.atomicjolt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-10-27%20at%2010.23.49%20AM.png?width=670&height=572&name=Screenshot%202025-10-27%20at%2010.23.49%20AM.png) *Figure 3: Shows the rubric score from the student perspective, in the student feedback section.*   - [Atomic Jolt Customer FAQs](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/atomic-jolt-customer-faqs?hsLang=en) - [Atomic Assessments](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/atomic-assessments?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Release Notes](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/atomic-assessments?hsLang=en#release-notes) - [Authoring Assessments](https://support.atomicjolt.com/knowledgebase/atomic-assessments?hsLang=en#authoring-assessments) - 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