EZ Grader vs Online Grader: Which Is Faster for Teachers?

What is an EZ Grader?

The EZ Grader (often searched as "ezgrader" or "Quick Grader") is a printed slide chart. You set the total number of questions on the test by sliding the inner card, then read down the column to the number of wrong answers to find the percentage score.

Retail listings show the common models cover different ranges. One standard model scores any test up to 95 questions with up to 34 wrong. A large-print model covers up to 70 questions and 35 wrong. A "Long-Ranger" model covers up to 200 questions and 50 wrong.

What is an online grader?

An online grader is a browser tool that does the same calculation on screen. You enter the total number of questions and the tool shows the percentage, letter grade and GPA for any number wrong.

EZ Grader vs online grader: side-by-side comparison

Which one is faster?

Per paper, the difference is small. A slide chart takes a glance. An online grader takes a tap or keypress per wrong answer. What actually changes your speed is setup and consistency.

The QuickGraders calculator, for example, has presets for common test lengths (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50 and 100 questions) and shortcuts: Space adds one wrong answer, R resets, S saves, and C opens the chart. For a stack of 30 quizzes with the same length, you can grade without touching a mouse.

When the same score gives different letters

Say a student misses 6 of 28 questions. That is 22 ÷ 28 = 78.6%.

A printed chart shows one scale. An online grader that lets you change letter boundaries makes it easier to match the scale your school uses. Check out our Grading Scale Chart for complete percentage cutoffs, or review popular test examples such as our 15/20 Grade Guide and 16/20 Grade Guide.

When a physical EZ Grader is the better choice

• You do not want a screen open while grading, or phones are restricted in your room.
• You always grade the same test length on the same scale.
• You prefer a tactile tool you can keep in a folder.

When an online grader is the better choice

• Your quizzes vary in length, such as 12, 28 or 37 questions.
• You use a custom or school-specific grading scale.
• You want a printable chart of every possible score for a given test.
• You want students or parents to check a score themselves without handing over a physical tool.

How to grade a stack of quizzes with an online grader

1. Open the QuickGraders calculator and select your total number of questions.
2. Mark each paper, then press Space once for each wrong answer.
3. Read the percentage and letter grade, and write it on the paper.
4. Press R to reset and move to the next paper. Save the score if you want it in the tool's history.
5. Print the chart for that test length if you want a quick reference at your desk.

What about the QuickGrader iPhone app?

There is also an iPhone app called QuickGrader from LZK Concepts. Its listing mentions adjustable grade scales, plus/minus grading, half-point values, pass/fail grading and point-based grade scaling, and it is free with an optional in-app purchase. It is a separate product from the QuickGraders website, so compare features to see which fits your device and workflow.

Is an online grader accurate?

Both tools use the same arithmetic: correct answers divided by total questions, times 100. The tool is rarely the source of errors. Mistakes usually come from miscounting wrong answers, misaligning a slide, or applying the wrong grading scale. Spot-check one paper by hand when you start a new test: for 20 questions with 4 wrong, 16 ÷ 20 = 80%.