There are a few possible reasons why the ZipGrade mobile application may not be able to recognize the physical answer sheet. Here are some quick steps that should get you scanning ASAP:
1. Verify Answer Sheet Selection
The usual issue when a paper is unable to scan is that the application is expecting a different answer sheet than the physical form being scanned. There are 3 standard forms (20, 50, and 100 questions) and you may have created custom answer sheets that will have a name you defined followed by a 4 digit number.
If there is a sheet name and 4 digit number in the upper-right margin of the printed form, then you are using a custom answer sheet.
When you created the quiz record on the mobile application, you were prompted to select which physical form will be used for this quiz. If you need to change this selection, you may do so by:
- Select the quiz in the 'Quizzes' tab in the mobile app
- Press the pencil icon in the upper-right to bring up the 'Edit Quiz' screen
- Press to change the answer sheet form and select the physical form that will be used for this quiz.
If you are using a printed custom form, but that form name & number are not showing in your list of available forms, then this form may have been created on another account. Email us (help@ZipGrade.com) with the full name & number of the form and your ZipGrade username so we can work to copy the form to your account.
2. General Scanning Tips
- Be sure to clean the lens. Even a non-visible smudge can affect the auto-focus module.
- Ensure the paper being scanning is held against a flat surface with no curling edges or on large stacks of papers.
- Use reflected light. Stay away from desk lamps or other task lighting shining directly on the paper which causes glare and shadows.
3. Adjust Settings
The default settings of ZipGrade are usually enough to allow scanning for the vast majority of users. But there may be specific environmental or form issues that require adjusting the settings for the best scan.
When scanning, pay attention to the message that shows while the image seems most scannable:
Is it 'Waiting For Autofocus'? If so, visit the 'Settings' screen either by pressing the gear icon on the scanning screen. On the 'Settings' screen, find the slider labeled 'Required Image Sharpness' and move it to the left a bit. Try again and repeat until the image focus seems reasonable and it picks up.
Is the message 'Bright Light Detected'? If so, this means that the app is seeing a brighter white inside a circle than anywhere else. This usually occurs when there is some type of bright, direct light causing a glare on the answer sheet and is reflecting off a pencil mark. This situation has historically caused more mismarks than any other issue. If possible, move to a different location (ie other side of the desk) to remove the glare from the circles. If you absolutely cannot go beyond this message, you may disable the 'Bright Light Detection' setting in the settings.
If the message 'Verifying Correct Form' or 'Hold Paper Flat'? In this case the app is unable to find all the dark squares where they expect them. If you've customized the legacy forms and removed any of the internal black squares or the copy machine didn't recreate the squares very well, this message will also appear. In this case, on the 'Settings' screen move the slider labeled 'Sheet Strictness' about 1/4th to the left and try again. Repeat until the form is readable.
4. Still not scanning?
If you continue to have issues, please exit the ZipGrade app and use the Camera app to take a picture of the answer sheet form and email that to help@zipgrade.com. With that picture we can better debug where the app is failing to recognize the form. Please be sure to include your ZipGrade username and the quiz you are working with.