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Gradebook on Canvas

The Canvas Gradebook can be confusing at first—points, percentages, what's the difference? Explore the content and guides below to help clear things up.

Gradebook Options: Points vs. Percentages

Points Only Gradebook:
In this setup, each assignment is assigned a certain number of points. A student’s final grade is calculated by dividing the total points they’ve earned by the total points possible.

Percent Weighted Gradebook:
Here, every assignment contributes a specified percentage to the final grade. The best possible score for all assignments is 100%, and each assignment group is weighted according to your specifications.

Recommendation: We suggest using the Points Only Gradebook for a straightforward and simplified grading experience. However, feel free to choose the method that best suits your class structure.

Points Gradebook

● Easy gradebook math

● Easy to add extra credit by creating an
assignment with 0 points possible

● Easy to explain to students

Best Practices:

● Make total points an even number that is
easily divisible such as 1000, 500, or 100
● Make assignments worth a whole number of
points such as 5 points instead of 3.5 points
● Match what is listed in the syllabus

Weighted Gradebook

Number of assignments in each category can
be more fluid
● Can be used when assignment items’ points
are disproportionate but in the same category

Best Practices:
● Assignment group weighting can be done
by item or category:
○ Item Weighting Example: Quiz 1 is
worth 10% of your grade
○ Category Weighting Example: All
quizzes are worth 20% of your grade
● Match what is listed in the syllabus

Download a PDF guide outlining point vs percentage breakdowns in Canvas: Gradebook Setup Overview.pdf Download Gradebook Setup Overview.pdf

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