Frequent formative assessment of student learning influences student grades because it provides valuable information about how students are meeting class expectations and allows students to adjust study habits to improve performance. Increasingly, assessment is trending towards low-stakes/low-pressure activities which actively engage students while simultaneously assessing performance and cultivating the learning experience. Student perceptions of frequent assessment range from "very helpful" to "too much work", the latter negating student buy-in and participation. To improve student motivation and value of frequent low-stakes assessments, I implemented the use of 'mulligan points' which earned by student participation and performance on low-stakes formative learning activities. 'Mulligans' serve as 'free passes' to apply towards exam questions; each eligible exam question has a 'mulligan point' value; students determine which, if any, questions to which they apply their 'mulligans'.
