WebAssign Instructor Help
Syntax Errors
Syntax errors can occur in responses to numerical, symbolic, and algebraic questions, and often include the following kinds of incorrect notation.
Question Mode | Problem | Incorrect Notation | Correct Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
Any | Incorrect grouping operator. | 4{x+3} | 4(x+3) |
Any | Missing operand. | 50* | 50*3 |
Any | Too many consecutive operators. | x++++2 | x+2 |
Any | Unrecognized symbol. | .00 4&6 | 4.00 4+6 |
Numerical | Misspelled unit. | 3456 met/sec | 3456 m/s |
Numerical | Response cannot contain variables. | 2*x+3 | 2*10+3 |
Numerical | Response cannot use implicit multiplication. | 3(14) | 3*14 |
Symbolic or Algebraic | Comma in number. | 5,000 | 5000 |
When your students submit responses containing these kinds of errors, a message is shown indicating either that the response contains a syntax error or cannot be evaluated. If you are using question part submission and do not count syntax errors as submissions, your students' used submissions is not increased for question parts with syntax errors.
Matching
Submitting a matching question with unfilled answer blanks causes correct matches to be scored incorrectly. To reduce this issue's effect on student scores, consider using multiple choice instead of matching mode.
Default Behaviors
The default class settings do not count syntax errors as submissions when question part submission is used.
By default, new assignments do not override the class settings for syntax errors.
You can change these behaviors for your classes or for your assignments. Your assignment settings override your class settings. You can specify different behaviors for numerical, symbolic, or algebraic questions.
Open the Class Settings page.
From My Classes, click Edit Class Settings.
In the Class Settings page, click Advanced Options.
Under Syntax Errors, select or clear on numerical questions, on symbolic questions, or on algebraic questions.
These options apply only when question part submission is selected. When assignment or question submission is required, syntax errors are always counted as submissions.
Click Save.