Learn · Glossary
What is OMR?
Definition
OMR (optical mark recognition) is a way of reading marks, usually filled-in bubbles, from a scanned answer sheet, so multiple-choice papers can be marked automatically.
How OMR marking works
- Candidates get bubble sheets, often with their ID pre-printed or bubbled in.
- Scan
- Sheets are scanned, on a dedicated OMR scanner or an ordinary one.
- Read
- Software finds each bubble and decides whether it's filled.
- Mark
- Answers are compared with the key, and results come out in minutes.
Its limits
OMR only reads bubbles. Written answers still need a person, which is where most marking time goes. AI marking reads handwritten answers too, suggests marks with reasons, and leaves the release to teachers.
Questions
- Do I need a special OMR scanner?
- Not always. Modern OMR software can read sheets from ordinary scanners or phone scans.
- Can OMR mark written answers?
- No. For written answers you need AI marking or a person.
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