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

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Blackboard Ultra  Articles
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This is a draft version. The currently published version will be available while this new version is being edited.
Draft editors: Iman Hajihassani
Version 40.1

Setting Up the Overall Grade (Weighted Total)

  • Category: Grading

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.
    Gradebook Settings showing the Overall Grade section with the Manage overall grade settings link.
    Figure 1. Select Manage overall grade settings. Select the image to enlarge.
  4. Select Weighted as the calculation type.
    Overall Grade calculation controls with Weighted selected, the icon legend, and proportional and equal weighting options.
    Figure 2. Select Weighted as the Overall Grade calculation type. Select the image to enlarge.
  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.
    Blackboard's icon legend: Unlink uses a chain with a diagonal line; Unlock uses an open padlock; Exclude uses a circle with a diagonal line.
    Blackboard’s Unlink, Unlock and Exclude icons. Select the image to enlarge.
  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.
    Category Calculation Rule panel showing Enable turned on, Drop Scores selected, and one lowest score entered.
    Figure 3. Example of an optional category rule that drops one lowest score. Select the image to enlarge.
  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.

Note: Review all category and item weights before displaying the Overall Grade to students. The total weight must equal 100%.

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.

Faculty quick reference · 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 — PDF 

Video demonstration