Blank Rubric Template
A blank rubric with four criteria and four performance levels, ready to print and fill in by hand, or to complete online and download. Below it you'll find a step-by-step guide to writing each part, a worked example, and the mistakes that make rubrics hard to use.
Fill it in online → Print the blank rubric
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criterion 1 | ||||
| Criterion 2 | ||||
| Criterion 3 | ||||
| Criterion 4 |
How to fill in a blank rubric
1. Decide what you're grading (the rows). List the three to six things that matter most for this assignment. For an essay, that might be thesis, evidence, organization, and conventions. If you have more than six, combine some of them. A rubric students can't read in a minute won't get read.
2. Choose your levels (the columns). Four levels work for most assignments: Excellent, Proficient, Developing, Beginning. With an even number, there's no easy middle score to fall back on. Use three levels for quick checks and five for high-stakes work.
3. Set the points. The simplest scheme is 4–3–2–1 in every row. If one criterion matters more, double its points instead of adding more rows.
4. Write the top level first, then the bottom, then the middle. Describe what excellent work looks like, then what a missing or failed attempt looks like. The middle levels are much easier to write once both ends are fixed.
5. Test it on one real piece of work. Score one student sample. If you hesitate between two levels, the wording is too vague. Rewrite that cell before you use the rubric with the whole class.
Example: from blank to finished
Here is one row, "Use of evidence," before and after:
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (blank) | ||||
| Use of evidence | Every claim is backed by specific, cited evidence that is explained. | Most claims have relevant evidence; one or two are unsupported. | Evidence is general or only loosely connected to the claims. | Claims have little or no evidence. |
Notice that each level describes something you can see in the work, not just how good it is.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Vague words. "Good," "adequate," and "poor" don't tell a student what to fix. Describe what the work actually does.
- Counting instead of judging. "Fewer than 3 errors" rewards short, safe work. Ask whether the errors get in the way of meaning.
- Two things in one row. "Organization and grammar" forces you to give one score for two different skills. Split them into separate rows.
- Levels that don't line up. If "Proficient" in one row is much harder than in another, scores become unfair. Read each column top to bottom to check that the levels match.
Frequently asked questions
- How many criteria should a rubric have?
- Three to six. Fewer than three doesn't give useful feedback, and more than six is hard for students to use.
- Should a rubric have 3, 4, or 5 levels?
- Four is the most common choice. Three is fine for quick formative checks, and five is useful when you need finer distinctions, as on a final project.
- Can I print this blank rubric?
- Yes. Click Print the blank rubric, or open it in the rubric maker, fill it in, and print. Choose Landscape in the print dialog for wide rubrics.
- Is there a filled-in version?
- Yes. We have 60+ ready-made rubrics for common assignments. Start from one of those if you'd rather edit than write from scratch.