Setting Up the Overall Grade (Weighted Total) | Blackboard Ultra | Seneca Polytechnic

Use a Weighted calculation to assign percentage weights to Gradebook categories or individual items.

Set up a Weighted 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.

   

4. Select Weighted as the calculation type.

   

5. Choose whether items within each category are weighted proportionally or equally.
6. Select the exclude icon (a circle with a diagonal line) for categories or items that should not contribute to the Overall Grade. This excludes them from the calculation without deleting them.
7. To weight an item independently, expand its category using the arrow on the right, then select the item’s unlink icon (a chain with a diagonal line). The item appears separately so you can assign its own weight.

   

8. Assign the required percentage to each category or item. The total must equal 100% before the calculation can be saved.
9. Optional: set category calculation rules. If your grading plan drops scores or uses only selected scores, select Edit calculation rules beside an included category. A rule needs more than one non-exempt item in that category to work correctly. Enable the rule, choose Drop Scores or Use Only, enter the required conditions, then select Continue. Skip this step if no category rule is required.

   

10. In Overall Grade Settings, select how the grade is displayed. Percentage is generally the clearest display for a weighted calculation.
11. Review all weights, exclusions and any category rules before turning Show to students on. Select Save if a Save button is displayed.

Weight items within a category

• Proportionally: Items with larger point values contribute more within the category.
• Equally: Each item receives an equal share of the category weight.

Additional resources

The following resource from Seneca's Accessible Learning Services provides practical guidance for applying approved extended-time accommodations to tests and exams.

Video demonstration