Prospects of Automatic Assessment of Step-by-Step Solutions in Algebra

The paper describes how the features of sufficiently intelligent expression manipulation drill programs can be utilized to calculate numeric scores. The issues discussed include the ways of grading the progress achieved in unfinished solutions, penalization of mistakes, and measuring of economy. The treatment is based mainly on one existing program, T-algebra. The concluding part of the paper points out the key features required for different aspects of numeric grading.