How do weighted grades work in a course?

Weighted grades assign different percentages to various assignment categories (like tests, homework, projects). For example, if tests are worth 50% and you score 90%, that contributes 45 points (90 × 0.5) to your final grade. All weighted components are summed to get your overall course grade.

What if my grade categories don't add up to 100%?

Grade categories should always total 100% for accurate calculation. If they don't, either your instructor will adjust weights proportionally, or some categories may not yet be included. Check your syllabus to confirm the correct weighting for each assessment type.

How do I calculate my grade with dropped assignments?

When lowest scores are dropped, exclude those assignments from your calculation. For example, if your instructor drops the lowest 2 homework grades, only include your best homework scores when calculating your homework category average before applying the category weight.

Can extra credit points exceed 100% in a category?

This depends on your instructor's policy. Some allow extra credit to push category scores above 100%, while others cap categories at 100% and apply extra credit differently. Always check your course syllabus for the specific extra credit policy.