Like a lot of terms in higher education, low-stakes grading doesn't always refer to the same thing. In some cases it means small assignments that don't count for much but occur regularly, as quizzes are often used. Low-stakes grading can also mean there's a de-emphasis on correct answers with credit being awarded for completed answers. Upon first consideration, many faculty might wonder why a teacher would opt for the second approach. If the credit is based on completion, how likely are students to expend anything more than minimal effort?