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CSV Answer Key Import File Requirements and Options

Updated

For general information on the Import/Export CSV Answer Keys feature, click here. You can export an existing quiz's answer key CSV file to use as an import file template if needed.

 

The format used by ZipGrade for importing and exporting keys contains data for all keys, defined responses, point values, and tags used on a quiz. See below for details.

 

ZipGrade Key Import Format:

  • One csv file should contain all key versions used in the quiz as importing will first remove all existing key versions once the imported file is validated.
  • Fields should be separated with commas. If a comma is used, the full field should be enclosed in double-quotes.
  • A header row is optional. If a header row is used, the first field should start with "Key".
  • To define a point value for "Attempted, but Incorrect" responses, use the value "[a&i]" with the included square brackets.
  • For custom forms that use non-English characters, save the CSV import file with UTF-8 encoding.

 

Fields/Columns:

  • 1. Key (first field/column):
    • Single character to indicate the key version
    • Case sensitive
    • Must be a valid key version option character for the quiz's selected answer sheet (for example, ABCD or ABCDE on the standard forms). If left blank, then the primary key is assumed.
    • For Mapped Alternate Key Versions: Cannot be the letter of the primary key. The primary key of a quiz cannot be a mapped key.
  • 2. Question Number (second field/column):
    • Integer value
    • Cannot exceed number of questions on answer sheet (100)
    • For Mapped Alternate Key Versions: This indicates the question number of the mapped alternate key.
  • 3a. Response (third field/column for the primary key version and any alternate key versions using provided answers):
    • May be blank, one, or many characters. Maximum of 10
    • Must be characters valid for each question for selected answer sheet.
    • Case sensitive
    • If response includes a comma, field must be enclosed in double-quotes.
  • 3b. Mapping (third field/column for any alternate key versions using mapped questions):
    • Integer Value.
    • The corresponding question number from the primary key version to use when grading this question.
  • 4. Point Value (fourth field/column):
    • Numeric value with period (.) as the decimal point.
    • For Mapped Alternate Key Versions: leave this column blank, as it will use the same point value of the mapped question number from the primary key version.
  • 5. Tags (optional fifth field/column):
    • Name of the tag to associate with this question.
    • If more than one tag, separate subsequent tag names into separate fields with commas.
    • If a comma is in name of tag, enclose tag name in double-quotes.
    • For questions with alternate answers, tag only needs to be defined on any one record.
    • For Mapped Alternate Key Versions: leave this column blank, as it will use the same question tags (if any) of the corresponding question number from the primary key version.

 

Additional Notes:

  • Create an additional record (row) for each alternate answer of a question on the primary key and/or any alternate keys with provided answers.
  • Each distinct key letter, question number, and response should exist only once.
  • If using a header row, we recommend using "Response/Mapping" for the field header of the third column, as this could apply to either provided responses (primary key and provided alternate keys) or mapped questions (mapped alternate keys). ZipGrade will be able to infer mapped vs. provided alternate keys using the other fields in the import file.

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