Evaluation options

Purpose: Define how a student's answer is compared to the correct answer.

Summary

Evaluation options control how answers are interpreted and graded in LearningLemur. They determine whether answers must match exactly or can be mathematically equivalent, whether approximate values are accepted, and whether specific formats (such as simplified expressions or units) are required.

Location

Question editor → Answers section → Edit (Evaluation options)

Default

• Evaluation criteria: Mathematically equal
• Decimal numbers: Enabled
• Error margin: 0.1 % error
• List options: Order and repetition matter in lists
• Allowed units: Allow prefixes and equivalent units
• No format constraints applied

Parameters

Evaluation criteria

Numeric behaviour

Answer Settings

List options

Allowed units

Behavior

What happens when enabled

• Mathematically equal allows equivalent expressions (e.g. a + b = b + a)
• Allow decimal numbers enables comparison between decimals and fractions
• Error margin allows approximate answers within a tolerance interval
• Format constraints (e.g., Simplified) enforce specific answer representations
• Unit handling controls how units are validated

What happens when disabled

• Literally equal requires exact matching (no interpretation)
• Decimal numbers disabled prevent equivalence with fractional forms
• No tolerance requires exact numerical results
• Format constraints disabled allow flexible representations
• Strict unit settings reject equivalent or prefixed units

Limits

• Evaluation settings are applied per answer, not globally
• Tolerance only applies to numerical comparisons
• Format constraints are applied in addition to correctness, not instead of it

Examples

Example 1 — Equivalent expressions

Configuration:

• Mathematically equal
• Decimals enabled

Correct answer: 1/2

Student answer: 0.5

Result: ✅ Accepted

Example 2 — Tolerance

Configuration:

• Mathematically equal
• Error margin: 0.1 (absolute)

Correct answer: 5

Student answer: 5.05

Result: ✅ Accepted

Example 3 — Simplified requirement

Configuration:

• Simplified enabled

Correct answer: 3/2

Student answer: 6/4

Result: ❌ Rejected

Notes

• Tolerance settings must be configured individually for each answer
• Multiple constraints (e.g., simplified + tolerance) can be combined
• Some options may interact (e.g., decimals and tolerance)

See also

• Require simplified answers in a fraction addition question
• Create a randomized right-triangle question with tolerance