Pear Assessment can automatically score essay questions and draft feedback using a grading rubric. This article covers how to attach a rubric to an item, turn on AI evaluation for a test, and review AI-generated scores and feedback before students see them.
Enable auto evaluation by AI (Essay question with Rubric) is a beta feature. Its accuracy may vary.
Create or Edit a Manually Graded Item
When you create or edit a manually graded item, such as an essay question, go to the Scoring step of the item editor.
- Click Generate Rubric Using AI. Pear Assessment drafts a rubric based on the question prompt you’ve written.
- Review the generated rubric and edit it to match your expectations.
If you’d rather build your own rubric, select Add Standards Aligned Rubric instead. Choose Create New Rubric or Use Existing Rubric, then define or select the rubric for the question.
AI evaluation works the same way whether the rubric is AI-generated or added manually.
If you edit the AI-generated rubric, or use a manual rubric instead, AI evaluation still runs as long as a rubric is attached to the question.
Add the Item to a Test and Enable AI Evaluation
After you add your rubric-aligned item to a test, go to the test’s Settings page.
- Scroll to the Student Tools section. If the test includes at least one rubric-based question, you’ll see Enable auto evaluation by AI (Essay question with Rubric).
- Turn on this setting to activate AI scoring for eligible items in the test. Pear Assessment automatically evaluates student responses once they’re submitted.
Submit the Test
When a student submits their test, Pear Assessment immediately evaluates responses to rubric-based questions and generates:
- A score based on the rubric
- Written feedback aligned to each rubric criterion
These AI-generated scores and feedback stay hidden from the student until you review and approve them.
Review AI Scores and Feedback in the Live Class Board
- Open the Live Class Board and locate the test. Access responses through Student View or Question View.
For rubric-aligned items, you’ll see the AI Evaluation Done tag next to the question.
- Check the student scorecard for the AI-generated score and criterion-based feedback. Click the box below Student Feedback! to view the feedback.
- After you review the evaluation, select Feedback Is Reviewed, then click Save to confirm and post the feedback.
This makes the score and feedback visible to the student. Until you select this box, the student can’t see the AI-generated results.
Edit Scores or Feedback (Optional)
If the AI-generated score or feedback doesn’t match your expectations, edit them before approval. Pear Assessment provides a starting point. You control all final grades and feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have to Use AI to Generate a Rubric?
No. You can use your own custom rubric. AI evaluation works as long as a rubric is attached to the question.
No. AI results stay hidden until you manually approve and release them.
Can I Override the AI-Generated Score or Feedback?
Yes. You can edit both the score and feedback before marking the feedback as reviewed.
Will AI Evaluation Work if There’s No Rubric?
No. A rubric is required for AI evaluation. You can create one manually or use AI to generate it.
What if I Update the Rubric After a Student Has Submitted the Test?
Editing and regrading aren’t currently supported by AI auto-evaluation.
Does AI Auto-Evaluation Work with Express Grader?
No. If a test is submitted and responses are entered using Express Grader, AI auto-evaluation doesn’t trigger. AI scoring only runs when a student submits a test with rubric-attached items under standard workflows. 
