regrade

Regrade refers to the act of reevaluating a previously assigned grade on an assessment or assignment. The intention is to correct errors, apply scoring criteria more consistently, or incorporate new information that affects the answer or its interpretation.

Regrades are common in educational settings such as schools and universities, as well as in professional certifications and some standardized testing processes. They may address individual questions or entire components of an exam, assignment, or portfolio.

Typical procedures involve submitting a request to the instructor, exam committee, or grading office within an established deadline. The requester usually provides justification, such as rubric misinterpretation, arithmetic mistakes in scoring, or overlooked points. A reviewer—often a different instructor or a grading panel—reassesses the work and communicates the outcome. Results can include an increased grade, a decreased grade, or no change, and may specify which items were adjusted.

Policies vary by institution and course. Some programs cap the number of regrades, restrict who may request regrades, or require that all items be rechecked. Regrading can improve fairness when errors are found but can also create concerns about grade inflation or inconsistency if not managed transparently.

Regrade policies are typically documented in course syllabi or departmental guidelines and are intended to be accessible and predictable to students. In some systems, persistent disputes lead to formal grade appeals or grievance procedures.