Partial Scoring Feature for MAQ
Overview
By default in iMocha, Multiple Answer Questions (MAQs) used an all-or-nothing scoring system — candidates only received marks if they selected all correct options. If they missed even one, their score was zero.
With the new Partial Scoring feature, candidates can now earn marks for each correct option selected. This ensures fairer evaluation, better candidate experience, and richer data insights for hiring teams.
How Scoring Works
Let's dive deeper to see how partial scoring feature works for MAQ's.
MAQ without Partial Scoring
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Full marks only if all correct options are chosen.
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Zero marks if even one correct option is missed or any wrong option is chosen.
Example:
Correct answers: 2, 3, 5
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Candidate selects 2, 3 → Score = 0
MAQ with Partial Scoring
Marks are distributed across correct options.
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Candidates earn marks for each correct option chosen.
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Wrong options:
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No penalty by default
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If negative marking is enabled → incorrect choices reduce the score
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Example:
Correct answers: 2, 3, 5 (1 point each, total 3 points)
Candidate selects 2, 3 → Score =2
Candidate selects 2, 3, 4 → Score = 0 (because 4 is wrong and section has negative marking)
Enabling Partial Scoring While Creating a MAQ Question
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Log in to iMocha Admin Panel
Navigate to the Question Bank section and create a question bank.
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Choose Question Type
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Select Multiple Answer Question (MAQ).
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The editor will display the standard MAQ creation screen.
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Enable Partial Scoring
Locate the Enable Partial Scoring checkbox. Tick this checkbox to activate per-option scoring.
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A note appears:
“Assign marks to each correct option; candidates earn the marks you assign for the ones they select correctly.”
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Mark Correct Options
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For each option you want to mark as correct, tick the checkbox beside it.
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Assign Scores to Correct Options
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Once marked as correct, a Points field will appear next to the option. Enter the marks you want to assign.
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Rules for assigning points:
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Only whole numbers (integers) are allowed.
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Minimum value is 1.
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Decimals and “0” are not allowed.
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Example: If you have 3 correct answers and want to distribute 5 points, you can assign 2, 2, and 1 respectively.
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Verify Total Points
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The Total Points field at the top of the question updates automatically based on the sum of the assigned marks.
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Ensure the total is not empty or 0.
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Save the Question
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Once satisfied, save the MAQ.
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The question is now ready with partial scoring enabled.
Important Notes: -
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If Enable Partial Scoring is unchecked, the question defaults to the old all-or-nothing method.
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All existing questions remain unaffected unless you manually edit them.
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At launch, all questions in accounts will default to No (unchecked) for partial scoring.
Changes in the Reports
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Partial scores appear as whole numbers only (no decimals).
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Reports reflect proportional credit for correct answers.
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Wrong selections impact scores if negative marking is enabled.
Bulk Upload with Partial Scoring
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Use the existing Differential Scoring column:
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Yes→ Enables partial scoring. -
Blank → Default all-or-nothing MAQ.
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In the Correct Answer column, list correct options separated by commas.
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Example:
A,B
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In the Score column, assign corresponding marks separated by commas.
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Example:
2,3(A=2, B=3)
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Validation Rules:
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Score column cannot be blank.
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Correct Answer count must match Score count.
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Only whole numbers allowed.
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If “Differential Scoring” is blank, no multi-score allowed.
Why Partial Scoring?
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Fairness: Recognizes partial knowledge and rewards candidates proportionally.
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Better experience: Candidates feel motivated when their partial understanding is credited.
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Accuracy: Hiring teams get a more nuanced view of skills instead of binary scores.
