[Logistics and Policies] [Homework Guide] [Reviewing Guide]

Grading Rubric

The grading rubrics is described below. Each rubric will consist of several parts that will be scored between 0 and 10. Unless explicitly stated, the scores will be interpreted as listed below. Note that a score of 8 is considered a solid solution, while a score of 10 is reserved for exemplary solutions.

Recommended Approach to Scoring: start with a score of 8, increase to 9 or 10 if the submission is exceptional. Decrease to 7 or 6 if the solution is mostly correct but has minor issues. Decrease lower if there are major issues.

Scoring Guide

10	An exemplary solution that is equivalent to or better than the TA solution. Exemplary solutions are simple, succinct, and very easy to understand.
8	A correct solution. Compared to an exemplary solution, a correct solution might be a bit more complicated, a bit less succinct, or a bit less easy to understand.
6	A mostly correct solution. A mostly correct solution is one that has all the main ideas of a correct solution but has some minor errors or minor parts that are hard to understand.
4	A partial or incorrect solution with a clear statement that it is incorrect, an explanation for why it is incorrect and what the difficulty is in fixing the solution.
2	A partial or incorrect solution with a clear statement that it is incorrect, but without a clear explanation for why it is incorrect or what the difficulty is in fixing the solution.
0	A far from correct or incomprehensible solution that is claimed to be correct.

Note: We will strongly emphasize in this class the importance of knowing when your solution is are correct. When you are on the job, it would be really bad to give an incorrect algorithm but claim it is correct. It is far better to explicitly state that you do not have a correct algorithm and give some ideas about how you might come up with a correct algorithm.

Note: The scores above describe the main qualitative differences between homework scores. You can use any number between 0 and 10.

Comments

The default score for a very good submission is 8. Your comments should explain issues with the writeup that lead to a different score. Positive feedback is good for excellent submissions and your feedback should be explicit about what is excellent. For submissions with mistakes, those mistakes should be pointed out with as much detail as possible. For submissions that could be improved, recommended improvements should be given. Peer reviews will be graded on the accuracy and appropriateness of the comments. All comments must be collegial and, for submissions that need improvement, encouraging of improvement in the future.

Multi-part Assignments

If an assignment has multiple parts, grade each part as a fraction of the rubric. For instance, if it has two parts, grade each part out of 5, according to the rubric, and add them together to get a score for each rubric element.

Rubric Elements

You will be rating each submission according to the following rubric elements.

Algorithm/Answer: The answer or algorithm given by the solution is correct for the assigned problem and that answer is constructed from proper application of methods from the course. (If no algorithm/answer is required, score identically to Proof.)
Proof/Analysis: The required analysis of the algorithm for correctness and runtime is correct (for the assigned problem) and the approach taken applies course concepts appropriately. (If no proof is required, score identically to Algorithm/Answer.)
Clarity: The writing of the submission is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Claims should be clearly stated before they are proved. Notations should be clearly defined before they are used. Where applicable, high-level discussion of the main ideas should be given before detailed discussion. The solution should be easy to read and understand. Small grammatical errors are allowed as long as they don't detract from understanding.

Note: Sometimes there are multiple approaches consistent with application of the course content, some valid approaches may deviate from the posted solutions.