Best Tools to Speed Up Grading and Save You Time
Grading can easily take hours — especially when you’ve got essays, Quick Grade quizzes, and projects stacked up. But guess what? You don’t have to do it all by hand anymore. There are smart tools that help you grade faster, get consistent results, and even give better feedback to students. Here’s the latest list of tools that teachers and educators love in 2026.
1. Gradescope – Best All-Around Grading Tool
Gradescope is one of the most popular tools out there for saving grading time. It works with paper and digital submissions and uses AI to group similar answers so you only grade once for many students. This is a big time saver, especially for large classes or STEM subjects.
Why it saves time:
- AI groups similar answers — grade one, apply to many
- Works with multiple formats (short answers, code, scans)
- Integrates with learning systems like Canvas or Moodle
Best for: Teachers with big classes or mixed assessment types .Easy Grader
2. CoGrader – Fast Rubric-Driven Grading
CoGrader is designed to take your grading rubrics and use AI to speed up scoring. It gives quick first-pass grading suggestions so you don’t waste time on repetitive marking.
Why it saves time:
- Instant initial feedback based on your rubric
- Helps with large batches of assignments
- Teachers can review and adjust quickly
3. ZipGrade – Scan Quizzes with Your Phone
ZipGrade turns your smartphone or tablet into a grading scanner. Just take a photo of your students’ answer sheets and it fills in scores and analytics instantly. It’s super helpful for multiple-choice tests.
Why it’s useful:
- Works offline
- Fast scanning — no extra hardware needed
- Great for quizzes and bubble sheets
4. AutoMark – Real-Time Essay Feedback
AutoMark is a tool that gives instant rubric-aligned scores and comments as you grade essays. Instead of writing the same feedback repeatedly, the AI gives you a head start — you just tweak or approve.
Why it helps:
- Speeds up essay assessment
- Shows quality examples of feedback
- Reduces repetitive typing
5. Canvas Teacher & SpeedGrader
Canvas is a full learning platform, and its SpeedGrader feature makes grading simple: open assignments, leave comments, and grade right inside the app. It’s one of the most intuitive tools for daily grading work.
Why teachers like it:
- Central dashboard for all student work
- Easy annotation and feedback
- Works on phones & tablets
Quick Tips to Speed Up Grading (That Work!)
Even with great tools, small habits matter. Here are some simple tips:
1. Set Clear Rubrics Before You Grade
If students know exactly what you’re looking for, AI and tools like CoGrader or Gradescope do a better job matching scores.
2. Automate Repetitive Tasks
Use templates or text snippets (like with Text Blaze) to avoid typing the same feedback again and again.
3. Try Peer Assessment
Let students grade some work using clear rubrics — it saves you time and helps them learn.
4. Start With Low-Stakes, Auto-Graded Quizzes
Tools that auto-grade math, quizzes, and multiple choice give you feedback instantly, so you focus only on writing and projects..YOU CAN ALSO READ: Teachers: Here’s Why Grading Calculators Save Time
FAQS
1. What is the best tool for grading large classes?
If you’re teaching a large class, Gradescope is highly recommended. It uses AI to group similar answers, allowing you to grade efficiently without having to review each response individually. This makes grading large batches of assignments much quicker.
2. Can these tools handle both paper and digital assignments?
Yes, tools like Gradescope and ZipGrade can handle both paper and digital assignments. For example, ZipGrade allows you to scan multiple-choice answer sheets using your phone, while Gradescope works with scanned assignments and online submissions.
3. How do AI grading tools work?
AI grading tools use algorithms to assess student submissions based on predefined rubrics or patterns in the data. They look for specific keywords, structures, and criteria, and provide initial grades or feedback, which can then be fine-tuned by the teacher.
4. Are these tools secure for student data?
Most modern grading tools, including Canvas and Gradescope, comply with privacy regulations such as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) to ensure that student data is kept secure. Always review the privacy policies to ensure they meet your institution’s standards.
5. Can these tools be used for formative assessments as well?
Yes, tools like CoGrader and AutoMark are useful for both formative and summative assessments. They help in providing quick feedback for assignments like essays or quizzes, which is valuable for both ongoing learning and final evaluations.
Final Thoughts
The goal of these tools isn’t to take away your role — it’s to free up your time so you can focus on what matters: helping students learn. Whether you’re teaching 20 students or 200, there’s a tool that fits your style and workload. Try a few and see what works best for your classroom!
