A Zero-Shot LLM Framework for Automatic Assignment Grading in Higher Education

TL;DR

This paper introduces a zero-shot LLM-based automated grading system that assesses student responses and provides personalized feedback without additional training, improving student motivation and understanding in higher education.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel zero-shot framework for automated assignment grading using prompt engineering, eliminating the need for large datasets or fine-tuning.

Findings

Effective evaluation of student responses without training

Significant improvements in student motivation and understanding

Potential to transform educational assessment practices

Abstract

Automated grading has become an essential tool in education technology due to its ability to efficiently assess large volumes of student work, provide consistent and unbiased evaluations, and deliver immediate feedback to enhance learning. However, current systems face significant limitations, including the need for large datasets in few-shot learning methods, a lack of personalized and actionable feedback, and an overemphasis on benchmark performance rather than student experience. To address these challenges, we propose a Zero-Shot Large Language Model (LLM)-Based Automated Assignment Grading (AAG) system. This framework leverages prompt engineering to evaluate both computational and explanatory student responses without requiring additional training or fine-tuning. The AAG system delivers tailored feedback that highlights individual strengths and areas for improvement, thereby enhancing student learning outcomes. Our study demonstrates the system's effectiveness through comprehensive evaluations, including survey responses from higher education students that indicate significant improvements in motivation, understanding, and preparedness compared to traditional grading methods. The results validate the AAG system's potential to transform educational assessment by prioritizing learning experiences and providing scalable, high-quality feedback.