Canvas Scoring Quick Guide
Canvas LMS Workaround
Canvas Scoring Quick Fix
How to stop Multiple Answer questions from penalizing students for a single incorrect choice.
NEW QUIZZES ENGINE
The Problem
The default Right minus wrong algorithm punishes students twice: deducting credit for unselected options AND subtracting points for incorrect picks.
The Fix
Switch your scoring setup to Allow Partial Credit to reward students proportionally for the correct answers they actually know.
1
Open the Quiz Builder
Go into your Canvas **New Quiz** (not preview mode) and click into the specific question editor to modify it.
Edit Question
2
Locate Scoring Settings
In the question editor, look in the right-hand panel (or under "Options") for the **Scoring Algorithm** dropdown.
Scoring Algorithm Right minus wrong
3
Choose Your Intent
Click the dropdown. Your goal is to choose the option that measures your students' true understanding.
Scoring Options
All or Nothing
Allow Partial Credit CHOOSE THIS
Right minus wrong
4
The Math Breakdown
If a question has **3 correct traits** and a student picks **2 correct** and **1 incorrect**:
Right Minus Wrong 1 / 3 Score Penalized double for 1 miss
Allow Partial Credit 2 / 3 Score Scored per correct pick
5
Save and Preview
Save the changes, head into **Preview mode**, run the same student response, and verify that the math checks out perfectly.
Preview
Save
Understanding the 3 Options
All or Nothing Requires perfect selection. Any missed correct or checked incorrect gets zero points.
Allow Partial Awards credit proportionally. Does not apply penalties for wrong choices. (Recommended)
Right - Wrong Subtracts point for every wrong pick from correct tally. Extremely punishing.
Designed for Canvas LMS New Quizzes Engine
No Penalities Accurate Grades