> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.getmaxim.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dataset Evaluation

> Learn how to evaluate your AI outputs against expected results using Maxim's Dataset evaluation tools

## Get started with Dataset evaluation

Have a dataset ready directly for evaluation? Maxim lets you evaluate your AI's performance directly without setting up workflows.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Prepare Your Dataset

    Include these columns in your dataset:

    * Input queries or prompts
    * Your AI's actual outputs
    * Expected outputs (ground truth)

          <img src="https://mintcdn.com/maximai/GaImIryi1xlsqOZx/images/docs/evaluate/how-to/evaluate-datasets/evaluation-dataset.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=GaImIryi1xlsqOZx&q=85&s=bb9890421ab3b26d2124e4eb26f23c46" alt="Configure Test Run for Datasets" width="2890" height="1642" data-path="images/docs/evaluate/how-to/evaluate-datasets/evaluation-dataset.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Configure the Test Run

    * On the Dataset page, click the "Test" button, on the top right corner
    * Your Dataset should already be pre-selected in the drop-down. Attach the [Evaluators](/library/evaluators/pre-built-evaluators/overview) and [Context Sources](/library/context-sources#bring-your-rag-via-an-api-endpoint) you want to use.
      Here's a polished, documentation-ready version of that line:

    - Map the evaluator's variables using values from the dropdown, based on your dataset columns. All column types are available for mapping. If a dataset column is of type `Variables`, you can reference it using
      `dataset.columns["column_name"]`.

    * Click "Trigger Test Run"

    The Dataset appears pre-selected in the drop-down. You can attach the evaluators and context sources (if any) you want to use.

    [Learn more about mapping evaluator variables](/library/evaluators/variables-mapping#dataset-variables)

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/maximai/GaImIryi1xlsqOZx/images/docs/evaluate/how-to/evaluate-datasets/test-form-dataset.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=GaImIryi1xlsqOZx&q=85&s=62a6c05498e4bd28422826b9317563df" alt="Configure Test Run for Datasets" width="2890" height="1722" data-path="images/docs/evaluate/how-to/evaluate-datasets/test-form-dataset.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If you want to test only certain entries from your Dataset, you can [create a Dataset split](/library/datasets/manage-datasets#use-splits-for-targeted-testing) and run the test run on the split the same way as above.
</Note>