Grading Rubrics

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Note: this is for the Autumn 2025 iteration of CSE 121. Looking for a different quarter? Please visit https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse121/.

E/S/N Grading Definitions¶

E(xcellent): All learning objectives are met or exceeded with evidence of full proficiency. Only trivial or inconsequential flaws, if any, are present.
S(atisfactory): Most or all learning objectives are met with evidence of sufficient proficiency with room for improvement. Minor errors or inconsistencies are present.
N(ot yet): None or few learning objectives are met with evidence of some proficiency with important gaps. Major errors or misconceptions are present.

A grade of U (Unassessable) may be given for work that does not enable a proper assessment of the assignment’s learning goals. This may include, but is not limited to, work that does not demonstrate meaningful effort, does not provide enough evidence to determine proficiency, uses disallowed features or concepts, or violates other major course rules.

Programming Assignment Rubric¶

	E(xcellent)	S(atisfactory)	N(ot yet)
Behavior	All of the following: Code properly compiles All required functionality is implemented All required features function correctly according to the spec	All of the following: Code properly compiles Key required functionality is implemented Implemented features function correctly according to the spec	Any of the following: Code does not compile Key required functionality is not implemented Implemented features do not function correctly according to the spec
Concepts	All of the following: All of the concepts from the course content are applied correctly Most appropriate type is used for variables, parameters, and return values All assignment-specific implementation requirements met No forbidden features used	All of the following: Most of the concepts from the course content are applied correctly Reasonable type is used for variables, parameters, and return values Most assignment-specific implementation requirements met No forbidden features used	Any of the following: The concepts from the course content are applied incorrectly with errors Inappropriate type is used for variables, parameters, and return values. None or few assignment-specific implementation requirements met Any forbidden features used
Quality	All of the following: All class and method comments are present, meaningful, and accurate All variable names are descriptive, meaningful, and follow naming conventions All code style choices (e.g. indentation, line length, etc) are consistent and makes the code readable. Code fully conforms to code quality guide and code commenting guide	All of the following: Most class and method comments are present, meaningful, and accurate Most variable names are descriptive, meaningful, and follow naming conventions Most code style choices (e.g. indentation, line length, etc) are consistent and makes the code readable. Code mostly conforms to code quality guide and code commenting guide	Any of the following: Class and methods comments are missing, not meaningful, or inaccurate Variable names are not meaningful and/or do not follow naming conventions Code style choices (e.g. names, whitespace, inline comments) are inconsistent and/or makes the code unreadable Code largely does not conform to code quality guide and code commenting guide
Reflection	All reflection questions answered with meaningful effort	One or more reflection questions not answered, lack meaningful effort, or are not relevant to the question	No reflection questions answered

Creative Project Rubric¶

	E(xcellent)	S(atisfactory)	N(ot yet)
Creative Project	All of the following: All basic requirements met Extension meets requirements and demonstrates meaningful effort All or most code quality and code commenting requirements and expectations met All reflection questions answered with meaningful effort	All of the following: All basic requirements met Some code quality and code commenting requirements and expectations met Some reflection questions answered with meaningful effort	Any of the following: Some basic requirements not met No reflection questions answered with meaningful effort Any forbidden features used