# What is OMR?

> OMR, optical mark recognition, reads filled-in bubbles on answer sheets from a scan. Here's how OMR marking works, its limits, and how AI marking goes further.

Learn · Glossary

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.

- Page: https://sparkmentis.ai/learn/what-is-omr

## How OMR marking works

- **Print.** 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.

## Related

- [SparK-12: Paper exams and OMR](https://app.sparkmentis.ai/features/paper-exams-omr): Print, scan, match, mark
- [What is AI marking?](https://sparkmentis.ai/learn/what-is-ai-marking.md): Glossary
- [Signed scripts and verified scans](https://sparkmentis.ai/features/exam-paper-leak-prevention.md): SparkExam

## Book a demo

Email info@sparkmentis.ai (subject "SparkMentis demo request") with your organization, your role and the products you're interested in.