---
title: "Change the defaults for new assignments"
description: "Set the choices Fiveable should use when you build your next assignment."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/help/teachers/assignments/assignment-defaults"
type: "teacher-help"
lastUpdated: "2026-09-03"
---

# Change the defaults for new assignments

## Quick answer

Open Settings in the Teacher Workspace left menu. The page title is My defaults. Change the assignment options and sharing choices, then save; new assignments begin with those settings, and you can still change any individual assignment.

## What to do

1. **Open Settings**: In the Teacher Workspace left menu, select [Settings](/assignments/defaults) to open My defaults.

   ![Teacher Workspace menu with Settings beneath Classes and above Print center.](/img/teachers/workspace-nav.jpg)

   *Use Settings in the Teacher Workspace menu to open My defaults for future assignments.*

2. **Choose assignment options**: Review Auto grade, Reteach, Late work, Timer, Retakes, Release grades, Minutes, and New attempts.

   ![My defaults page with assignment options for grading, reteach, late work, timing, retakes, and grade release.](/img/teachers/assignment-defaults.jpg)

   *These choices become the starting point for future assignments; they do not change work you already created.*

3. **Choose MCQ and sharing defaults**: Set Questions per section, Share with students by, and Which LMS? when those controls apply to you.

4. **Save**: Use the save action and wait for Saved before leaving.

5. **Check the next draft**: Create a new assignment and open Settings to confirm the defaults carried over. Existing assignments do not change.

## If something is not working

### An older assignment did not change.

My defaults only supplies starting choices for new assignments. Open the older assignment's Settings tab to change it directly.

### The page still shows Unsaved changes.

Use the save action and wait for Saved. If it does not finish, refresh and confirm which choices were retained before trying again.

## Related guides

- [Choose class, timing, grading, and result settings](/help/teachers/assignments/assignment-settings): Decide who receives the assignment, when it is due, and how grading and retakes work.
- [Create and publish an assignment](/help/teachers/assignments/create-publish-assignment): Choose a template, adjust the draft, review settings, and publish the student link.

## About This Document

Canonical Fiveable pages are available as Markdown at the same path plus `.md`.

- [llms.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms.txt): index of Fiveable's sections and URL patterns
- [llms-full.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms-full.txt): complete subject and unit listing
- [MCP server](https://fiveable.me/mcp): call Fiveable as tools instead of fetching pages (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp`)