When you create a math item in Mastery Connect, you can select one of the available mathematical scoring methods. The equivSyntax scoring method checks that the student response matches the syntax of the correct answer. The equivSyntax scoring method does not evaluate numerical values.
You must select a rule for the equivSyntax scoring method. You can select one of the following nine rules:
- Number
- Integer
- Decimal
- Scientific
- Variable
- Fraction
- Mixed fraction
- Simple fraction
- Fraction or decimal
Some rules have an additional argument associated with them. You can specify arguments to further define the desired correct answer.
For example, the Decimal rule checks that the student response is a decimal as opposed to a fraction or another form. Refer to additional examples below.
Notes:
- equivSyntax works with decimals, fractions, variables, and percentages.
- equivSyntax works with trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential expressions.
- equivSyntax does not support any thousands separator, such as a comma.
Create Math Item
Create or edit a math item. Learn more about creating a math formula item, image cloze math formula item, or cloze math formula item.
Enter a question stem in the Compose question field [1]. You can also enter a formula template [2].
Select Method
In the Set correct answer(s) section, enter a point value for the item in the Point(s) box [1].
Click the Method drop-down menu, and select the equivSyntax option [2].
Select Rule
To select a syntax rule, click the Rule drop-down menu [1], and select an option [2].
- To check that the response is any floating point number, select the Number option. You can enter a number of decimal places to use in the Argument field [3].
- To check that the response is any integer or floating point number, select the Integer option. You can enter a number of significant figures to use in the Argument field [3].
- To check that the response is any decimal value, select the Decimal option. You can enter a number of decimal places to use in the Argument field [3].
- To check that the response is in scientific notation, select the Scientific option. You can enter a number of decimal places to use in the Argument field [3].
- To check that the response is any variable, select the Variable option.
- To check that the response is any fraction (simple or mixed), select the Fraction option.
- To check that the response is any mixed number, select the Mixed fraction option.
- To check that the response is any simple fraction, select the Simple fraction option.
- To check that the response is any fraction or decimal, select the Fraction or decimal option.
Examples
Any student response that matches the selected syntax rule and optional argument is scored as correct. Otherwise, it is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Number rule, a student response of 4, 0.6, .6, .800, or 5x103 is scored as correct. A student response of 1/4 is scored as incorrect. If the argument is 1, a student response of 0.5 or .5 is scored as correct. A student response of .500 is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Integer rule, a student response of 200 or 3 is scored as correct. A student response of 200.5, 1/2, or 30% is scored as incorrect. If the argument is 3, a student response of 200 is scored as correct and a response of 2000 is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Decimal rule, a student response of 1.0, 5, 3.45, or 2. is scored as correct. A student response of 3 or 1/2 is scored as incorrect. If the argument is 3, a student response of 2.000 is scored as correct and a response of 2.0 is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Scientific rule, a student response of 2x103 is scored as correct. A student response of 10x103 is scored as incorrect. If the argument is 3, a student response of 2.64 x103 is scored as correct and a response of 2.5x10-2 is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Variable rule, a student response of a, x, or y is scored as correct. A student response of 3x is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Fraction rule, a student response of 1/2 or 3 1/2 is scored as correct. A student response of 0.5 is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Mixed fraction rule, a student response of 3 2/3 or 5 is scored as correct. A student response of 3+1/2 is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Simple fraction rule, a student response of 1/2 or 3/4 scored as correct. A student response of 3 2/3 is scored as incorrect.
- If you select the Fraction or decimal rule, a student response of 3 2/3 or .5 is scored as correct. A student response of 2x103 or 3x is scored as incorrect.
Validate Answers
You can check whether student answers will be scored as correct or incorrect. Enter an answer into the sample answer field [1]. Correct answers receive the full number of points [2].
Incorrect answers receive 0 points.
