Can AI correct exams?

Artificial intelligence doesn’t replace human intervention but can greatly alleviate it. Correcting exams is particularly tedious and time-consuming. With AI, part of the work is done while respecting fairness and even more.

How to use AI to correct an exam?

AI is not necessary for correcting all types of tests. For example, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) simply require basic software to check answers. After creating an MCQ, you just need to input the correct answers into the software, which will then tally the correct results.

AI can analyze complex answers

The main advantage of artificial intelligence over other computer correction solutions is its ability to analyze non-standardized answers. AI can analyze essays, free texts, text comments, and many other written productions.

Can AI measure the quality of an answer?

The first step is obviously to ask the tool to evaluate the correctness of an answer.

A question of knowledge

If the task is a knowledge or general culture test, most generative AIs on the market can handle it. For example, « list the kings of France in chronological order »: an AI will quickly and easily verify if the candidate’s answer is correct. It can even count the number of errors. The same applies to questions about a « course, » « standard, » or « process. » The AI needs to be fed the relevant documents.

Analyzing the candidate’s input

This situation is obviously harder to evaluate because analysis exercises involve significant reflection or « brain juice. » The AI must be trained with satisfactory responses to compare with the student’s or candidate’s work.

Can AI judge or correct an answer for an exam, contest, or certification?

This could be a great topic for a philosophy exam: does artificial intelligence have the ability to correct an exam paper?

Again, if the exam strictly tests knowledge, it’s quite easy to count the number of correct or incorrect answers. Using a rubric, it’s possible to assign a grade. For essays, critical analyses, and text comments, it’s different.

Comparing with previously produced work

Comparing with other papers (from another year or produced by the teacher or trainer) provides a good evaluation basis. Next, an evaluation scale must be established. Using an index scale, scores can be obtained, with an index of 100 representing the excellence of the ideal response. The AI then assigns indices to each analyzed paper.

Comparing answers among themselves

In a competition, comparing different papers is relevant. The limit arises when the overall level of the studied group is low. The best among them will pass, but their level will remain mediocre.

The power of correction and criticism remains with the teacher

With the development of generative AI, it might be tempting to leave all correction responsibility to artificial intelligence. This is not the approach or recommendation of TestWe’s AI teams. Our philosophy is to use AI to give graders more time to add value to the evaluation.

The teacher or trainer assigns the grade

This is the grader’s ultimate responsibility: to assign the grade. In most exams, competitions, or certifications, it’s the teacher who signs the corrected paper, which may be reviewed by a jury. A signature commits its author. We won’t ask ChatGPT developers and others to sign grade sheets!

Freeing time for comments

Pre-correction by AI frees up time for the grader. This is where the real value of using AI in correction lies. This freed-up time allows for more attention to comments. Beyond the grade, the grader’s critique adds significant value to the correction. For a trainer or teacher, it is highly satisfying to add more richness to the comments.