Assessment scoring in Equip is best used when each response should contribute to an overall assessment score. For total assessment scoring, use Single Choice questions with scored answer options. Use Likert Scale questions when you want a clean rating matrix, and use Number Answer questions when you need someone to enter a numeric value.
Choose the Right Question Type
Use Single Choice for scored assessments. This is the best option when each answer should add to the total assessment score.
Use Likert Scale for rating matrices. This is best when several prompts use the same rating options, such as Always, Sometimes, and Never.
Use Number Answer for numeric responses. This is best for counts, amounts, hours, frequencies, or other values the assessor should type in.
How Single Choice Scoring Works
Add a Single Choice question.
Turn on Enable Scoring.
Enter the answer options from best at the top to worst at the bottom.
Set the Weight if this question should count more or less than other scored questions.
Equip uses the answer order to score the response. The top answer receives the highest value, and lower answer options receive lower values. The overall assessment score is a weighted average of the scored Single Choice questions that were answered.
Example answer order for a scored question:
Independent - highest score
Verbal prompt - lower score
Physical prompt - lower score
Unable to complete - lowest score
How Weight Affects the Total Score
Weight controls how much a scored Single Choice question contributes to the total assessment score.
Use a weight of 1 for standard scored questions.
Use a higher weight when one question should have more impact on the total score.
Use the same weight across questions when each scored question should count equally.
How Likert Scale Questions Work
Likert Scale questions help assessors answer several related prompts with the same set of rating options. They are designed for readability and consistency, not for total assessment scoring.
To group Likert questions together, give consecutive Likert questions the same Group Label and the same answer options. Equip combines those questions into one matrix when someone fills out the assessment.
Example Likert setup:
Group Label: Daily Living Skills
Prompts: Prepares a meal, manages laundry, follows a schedule
Answer options: Always, Sometimes, Rarely, Never
When Not to Use Likert Scale
Do not use a Likert Scale question when the answer needs to calculate into the total assessment score. In that case, create a Single Choice question with the same rating options and turn on Enable Scoring.
Best Practices
Decide first whether the question needs to affect the total score.
Use Single Choice for scored ratings.
Keep scored answer options in best-to-worst order.
Use Likert Scale for grouped prompts that need the same answer choices.
Use Number Answer when the assessor should enter a specific number instead of choosing from preset options.
Review scoring before sending an assessment, especially if the assessment will be used for progress tracking or reporting.
FAQs
Can Likert Scale questions count toward the total assessment score?
No. Use Single Choice questions when responses need to count toward the total assessment score.
Can I make a scored rating scale?
Yes. Create a Single Choice question, add the rating options, put them in best-to-worst order, and turn on Enable Scoring.
What does Weight do?
Weight changes how much a scored Single Choice question affects the overall assessment score. A higher weight gives that question more impact.
When should I use Number Answer?
Use Number Answer when the assessor needs to type a number, such as a count, amount, number of prompts, or frequency. Use Single Choice instead when the response should count toward the total assessment score.
Why are my Likert questions not grouped together?
Likert questions only appear together as a matrix when they are consecutive and have the same Group Label and the same answer options.