--- title: "Setting Up the Overall Grade (Grand Total)" type: "article" space: "Blackboard Ultra" author: "Anonymous" created: 2023-04-26T17:42:22Z updated: 2026-10-20T22:54:25Z tags: ["blackboard-ultra", "gradebook", "grading", "overall-grade"] url: "https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/grading/17151/setting-up-the-overall-grade-grand-total" --- # Setting Up the Overall Grade (Grand Total) Use a Points calculation to create an Overall Grade that functions like a Grand Total column. ## Set up a Points Overall Grade 1. Select **Gradebook**. 2. Select the **Settings** gear beside **To Do**. 3. Under **Overall Grade**, select **Manage overall grade settings**. If Overall Grade has not been configured, select the available setup option. [!\[Gradebook Settings showing the Overall Grade section with the Manage overall grade settings link.\](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=uxh6%2FilDtlCcTE7rvedb0A%3D%3D) Figure 1. Select **Manage overall grade settings**. Select the image to enlarge.](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=uxh6%2FilDtlCcTE7rvedb0A%3D%3D) 4. Select **Points** as the calculation type. [!\[Overall Grade calculation type options with Points selected.\](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=XqL2cAbef%2FqH9mjoyC%2BZCw%3D%3D) Figure 2. Select **Points** as the Overall Grade calculation type. Select the image to enlarge.](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=XqL2cAbef%2FqH9mjoyC%2BZCw%3D%3D) 5. Review the categories and items included in the calculation. Select the **exclude icon** to remove an item or category from the calculation. 6. Select the **unlink icon** when an item should calculate independently of its category. 7. In **Overall Grade Settings**, choose how the grade is displayed: letter, points, or percentage. 8. Turn **Show to students** on when the Overall Grade is ready to be displayed. [!\[Overall Grade page showing the Points calculation and the grade display settings.\](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=irxeIPbIWeJqK16NGCn1pg%3D%3D) Figure 3. Review the Points calculation and choose how the Overall Grade is displayed. Select the image to enlarge.](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=irxeIPbIWeJqK16NGCn1pg%3D%3D) 9. Select **Save**. **Note:** Review all included categories and items before displaying the Overall Grade to students. ## Edit category calculation rules Select **Edit calculation rules** beside a category to drop scores or use only selected highest or lowest scores. [!\[Overall Grade settings showing Edit calculation rules beside a Gradebook category.\](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=4AO3CZlRwtHQjs9CuKwZbA%3D%3D) Figure 4. Select **Edit calculation rules** beside the required category. Select the image to enlarge.](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=4AO3CZlRwtHQjs9CuKwZbA%3D%3D) [!\[Category Calculation Rule panel showing the Enable option, Drop Scores selected, and one lowest score entered.\](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=NJyDxNjBjHP8QRzThPyEbg%3D%3D) Figure 5. Enable the rule and set one lowest score to be dropped. Select the image to enlarge.](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=NJyDxNjBjHP8QRzThPyEbg%3D%3D) * * * ## Additional resources The following resource from Seneca's Accessible Learning Services provides practical guidance for applying approved extended-time accommodations to tests and exams. Faculty quick reference ยท PDF ### Extended time calculations for tests and exams Use this quick reference to calculate the total writing time for students with approved extended-time accommodations. The required multiplier is identified in the student's Accommodation Letter. Extended-time multipliers 1.25x 25% extra time 1.5x 50% extra time 1.75x 75% extra time 2x 100% extra time Example calculation A **60-minute test** with a **1.5x** accommodation provides **90 minutes of total writing time**. What's included in the guide? - A calculation chart for standard assessments from 30 to 180 minutes. - Examples of extended-time calculations. - Faculty responsibilities for providing approved extended time. - Guidance on ensuring assessment bookings and online time windows allow the full accommodated time. View the resource **[Extended Time](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/files/24861/extended-time "Extended Time")** * * * ## Video demonstration ## Attachments - [image_3081963131680126111827.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=jBx8A%252BHOC2s89iksE%252BALWg%253D%253D) - [image_73845854731682530272634.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=NOihvl0bo%252FXxFaGgW7Lu9A%253D%253D) - [image_39615635541682531822778.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=qlrYuwp00wkRe2jV78We0g%253D%253D) - [image_23888030581679843211656.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=AMEjq%252BLzT1jRlPIuHEjmyQ%253D%253D) - [image_47719577891679843241173.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=a519WdrNznFq4hM%252FyksIvA%253D%253D) - [image_954618295171679844325696.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=Mbeg9G5E4KDO3CDav35PYw%253D%253D) - [image_1729644231682532434331.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=ZgL6cpkB%252BDec%252BB5J%252Bv0d0w%253D%253D) - [image_13210703041689168577291.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=Ke%252B0lY5AJZnkWvyk1kKK%252BQ%253D%253D) - [image_92763931689177232386.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=zoRuEvBc4WbZ2jf01CqxhA%253D%253D) - [image_589526895131679843616974.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=x86bAIBZm9AyrjYWVxtGUA%253D%253D) - [image_86503366871786064464866.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=uxh6%252FilDtlCcTE7rvedb0A%253D%253D) - [image_38670780081786064464869.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=XqL2cAbef%252FqH9mjoyC%252BZCw%253D%253D) - [image_213745850111786064464877.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=NJyDxNjBjHP8QRzThPyEbg%253D%253D) - [image_496081046101786064464876.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=4AO3CZlRwtHQjs9CuKwZbA%253D%253D) - [image_70026365291786064464872.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=irxeIPbIWeJqK16NGCn1pg%253D%253D)