---
title: "Advanced grading methods"
slug: "advanced-grading-methods"
tags: ["Totara Learn", "Content Creator", "Explainer"]
updated: 2026-08-13T16:01:25Z
published: 2026-08-13T16:01:25Z
canonical: "totara.help/advanced-grading-methods"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Advanced grading methods

Most grading that takes place in Totara Learn is **simple direct grading** (either numerical or a scale), for [example on quizzes](/totara-20/docs/using-quizzes). Advanced grading methods allow you to grade based on criteria using either a grading rubric or marking guides.

## Marking guides

A marking guide allows you to grade a learner based on a set of criteria for their assignment.

You can either choose to [add a new marking guide from scratch or to create one from a template](/totara-20/docs/create-a-marking-guide).

![Adding a marking guide to an assignment.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-1634656044048.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-06T06%3A17%3A27Z&se=2026-11-06T07%3A17%3A27Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=eC92cJTAOkdeD0T4pUEOfO4zCQ0NLeMhDbHX1znMx5E%3D)

## Rubrics

A rubric is a grading matrix that allows you to grade the learner based on a preset marking grid.

You can create a rubric from scratch or from a [template](/totara-20/docs/create-a-rubric-from-a-template).

![Adding a new rubric.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-1634656171440.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-06T06%3A17%3A27Z&se=2026-11-06T07%3A17%3A27Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=eC92cJTAOkdeD0T4pUEOfO4zCQ0NLeMhDbHX1znMx5E%3D)

![Course badge](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/course-badge_grading-completion-and-certificates.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-06T06%3A17%3A27Z&se=2026-11-06T07%3A17%3A27Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=eC92cJTAOkdeD0T4pUEOfO4zCQ0NLeMhDbHX1znMx5E%3D)The Totara Academy has a whole course dedicated to using [Grading, completion, and certificates](https://totara.community/course/view.php?id=646) in Totara Learn. Here you can learn more on how to use these tools, see best practice, and give it a go yourself.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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