SCORM 1.2 vs SCORM 2004: which should you choose?
Both are versions of the SCORM standard that lets e-learning courses talk to a learning management system. The right choice depends mostly on your LMS and on how you report results.
The short answer
Choose SCORM 1.2 unless you have a reason not to: it is supported by virtually every LMS. Choose SCORM 2004 when you need completion and pass/fail reported separately, or your course needs to store a lot of resume data.
How results are reported
| SCORM 1.2 | SCORM 2004 | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | One field: passed, failed, completed or incomplete | Two fields: completion (completed or incomplete) and success (passed or failed) |
| Score | Raw score | Raw score plus a scaled score from -1 to 1 |
| Resume data (suspend data) | Up to 4,096 characters | Up to 64,000 characters (4th edition) |
| Sequencing rules between items | No | Yes (rarely needed for single courses) |
| LMS support | Almost universal | Widely supported; check your LMS |
Why the status difference matters
With SCORM 1.2, a learner who completes the course but fails the quiz is usually reported simply as "failed". SCORM 2004 can say "completed and failed", which is clearer for compliance reports.
Why resume data matters
Long courses with many interactions store more progress information. SCORM 1.2's 4,096-character limit is usually enough for typical courses; very long or complex courses benefit from SCORM 2004's larger limit.
How to decide
- Ask your LMS administrator which version they recommend.
- If unsure, start with SCORM 1.2.
- Test the package in your LMS before release, whichever you choose.
ExplicateX publishes both versions in one click: SCORM authoring with ExplicateX.