Frequently Asked Questions

FirstMarker is an AI-powered grading platform that helps educators quickly and consistently grade essays, short answers, and multiple-choice questions. You provide an answer key (for objective tests) or rubric (for essays), and the AI grades student work against it, generating scores and detailed feedback.

You provide an answer key (for short-answer or multiple-choice tests) or a rubric (for essays). You then upload images of student work. The AI grades responses against your answer key or rubric, then generates a score and detailed feedback for each submission.

Yes, the AI can make mistakes. For best results, provide a clear answer key or rubric, ensure your images are legible, and set the correct total marks and subject. A well-defined answer key or rubric improves grading consistency.

Yes. Educational institutions usually use 2 markers for exams — a first marker and a second marker. The purpose of the second marker is to check behind the first marker. Sometimes the first marker makes mistakes. The purpose of this app is to give you a quick idea of how a student performed on a test.

You can upload images (JPG, PNG) only. These can be photos taken with your mobile device or scanned documents saved as images.

Each individual image of student work you upload counts as one uploaded page.

Credits are used when you grade student work — each page costs 1 credit for tests up to 10 pages. Longer tests (more than 10 pages) cost 2 credits per page. You can pay as you go (e.g. $8 for 400 credits) or subscribe for monthly credits: Starter ($9/mo, 500 credits), Pro ($19/mo, 1,100 credits), or Power ($39/mo, 2,400 credits). Subscriptions renew each month. You also need to provide an answer key or rubric for grading.

Yes. FirstMarker requires an answer key (for short-answer or multiple-choice tests) or a rubric (for essays). You can create an answer key in the Answer Key Library, paste answers directly, or upload a rubric for essay grading. The AI grades student work against what you provide.

Yes. FirstMarker has a limit of 30 pages per grading job.

FirstMarker can grade up to 30 pages per job. Long tests are split into two batches with a 5-page overlap so comprehension passages that span the middle of the script are still graded with full context. Because of this, a single question (e.g. one long comprehension passage with questions, or one extended response) should not span more than 5 pages — otherwise it may fall across the split and be graded with incomplete context. Other limitations: handwriting must be legible for accurate results, and the AI can make mistakes, so we recommend checking behind the AI (e.g. second marking) where it matters.

Grading time depends on the AI but a single page may take a few seconds. However, the more pages you upload, the longer the grading process will take. The AI may struggle if answers are not written clearly, just like a human teacher would.

No. It is best to grade those scripts manually.

You will not be able to upload or grade more tests until you purchase additional pages.

Yes! From the Upgrade page you can buy a one-time credit pack (400 credits for $8) or subscribe to one of 3 tiers: Starter ($9/mo, 500 credits), Pro ($19/mo, 1,100 credits), or Power ($39/mo, 2,400 credits). Subscriptions renew monthly; cancel anytime.

FirstMarker offers both. Pay-as-you-go: buy 400 credits for $8 with no subscription. Or choose one of 3 subscription tiers (Starter, Pro, Power) for monthly credits that renew each month. You can cancel a subscription at any time.

You can contact our support team via email at admin@firstmarker.app. Paid plans include priority email support.

Yes. We use industry-standard security practices to protect your data. Student work is not stored long-term and is only used for grading.

Yes! FirstMarker supports grading for a variety of subjects and test types, including essays, short answers, and multiple-choice questions. For each test, you provide an answer key (for objective questions) or rubric (for essays).

No, accounts are intended for individual use only. Sharing your account may violate our terms of service.

Please contact support at admin@firstmarker.app if you wish to cancel or delete your account. We will assist you promptly.

You can reach us at admin@firstmarker.app for any questions or support needs.

If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, please contact us at admin@firstmarker.app within 7 days for a refund review.

First provide an answer key (via the Answer Key Library or by pasting) or rubric (for essays). Then upload images of student work: take photos with your mobile device or scan documents and save as images. On the grading form, select your answer key or rubric and upload student pages (JPG or PNG). Make sure images are clear and legible for the best results.