Calculating your total grade percentage involves dividing the total points you've earned by the total points possible in a course, then multiplying the result by 100. This method provides a clear and straightforward measure of your academic performance.
Understanding the Basic Formula
The most fundamental way to calculate a total grade percentage, often used in courses where all assignments contribute equally based on their point value, follows this formula:
Total Grade Percentage = (Total Points Earned / Total Points Possible) * 100
This approach sums up all your scores and compares them against the maximum possible scores for every graded item throughout the course.
Step-by-Step Calculation
To apply the basic formula and determine your unweighted grade percentage:
- Sum All Points Earned: Add up the scores you received for every assignment, quiz, exam, project, and any other graded item in the course.
- Sum All Possible Points: Add up the maximum possible points for each of those same graded items.
- Divide Earned by Possible: Divide the total points you earned (from step 1) by the total points possible (from step 2). This will give you a decimal value.
- Multiply by 100: Multiply the resulting decimal by 100 to convert it into a percentage.
Example Calculation
Let's say your scores for a class are as follows:
| Assignment | Points Earned | Points Possible |
|---|---|---|
| Homework 1 | 90 | 100 |
| Quiz 1 | 45 | 50 |
| Midterm Exam | 75 | 100 |
| Project | 180 | 200 |
| Total | 390 | 450 |
Using the formula:
- Total Points Earned: 390
- Total Points Possible: 450
Total Grade Percentage = (390 / 450) * 100
Total Grade Percentage = 0.8666... * 100
Total Grade Percentage ≈ 86.67%
In this scenario, your total grade percentage would be approximately 86.67%.
Weighted vs. Unweighted Grade Calculation
While the total points method is common, many courses use a weighted grading system. It's crucial to understand which system your course employs, as it significantly impacts how your final grade is calculated.
Unweighted Grade Percentage (Total Points System)
This is the system described above, where every point is worth the same, regardless of the assignment type. Your grade is simply the ratio of points you earned to the total points available.
Weighted Grade Percentage (Category-Based System)
In a weighted system, different categories of assignments (e.g., homework, quizzes, exams, participation) contribute a specific percentage to your overall final grade. For example, exams might be 50% of your grade, while homework is 20%.
To calculate your grade in a weighted system:
- Calculate the average percentage for each category. For instance, if your homework scores are 90/100 and 80/100, your homework category average would be (90+80)/(100+100) = 170/200 = 85%.
- Multiply each category's average percentage by its assigned weight. Convert the weight percentage into a decimal (e.g., 20% becomes 0.20).
- Sum the results from all categories. This sum will be your total weighted grade percentage.
Example of Weighted Calculation:
Suppose your course has the following weights:
- Homework: 20%
- Quizzes: 30%
- Exams: 50%
And your average percentages for each category are:
- Homework Average: 90%
- Quizzes Average: 80%
- Exams Average: 75%
The calculation would be:
- Homework contribution:
90% * 0.20 = 18% - Quizzes contribution:
80% * 0.30 = 24% - Exams contribution:
75% * 0.50 = 37.5% - Total Weighted Grade = 18% + 24% + 37.5% = 79.5%
In this weighted example, your total grade percentage would be 79.5%.
Practical Tips for Monitoring Your Grade
- Understand Your Syllabus: Always consult your course syllabus for the specific grading policy, including whether it's a weighted or unweighted system and the breakdown of points or categories.
- Keep Track: Maintain your own record of scores for all assignments. This allows you to identify potential discrepancies and calculate your current grade at any time.
- Utilize Online Learning Portals: Most learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard have a gradebook feature that automatically calculates your current grade. However, it's still good practice to understand the underlying calculation.
- Communicate with Your Instructor: If you have any questions about how your grade is calculated or if you notice any errors, reach out to your instructor for clarification.
