how much do assignments weight

Percentage grades are related to letter grades through a grading scale. Grading scales vary throughout institutions, so an A at one school may not correspond to the same percentages as another. Refer to the table below in the "Letter grades" section to see how percentages and letter grades are related in one of the more commonly used grading scales in the US.

Letter grades:

Letter grades range from A-F in the US grading system, where an A is the highest achievable grade, and an F is a failing grade. However, even within the US system, there are variations in what each letter represents, as well as in the letters used in the system. For example, there are institutions that use grades such as A+, B-, C+, etc., while there are others that do not make use of plus and minus grades, and only use the letters A, B, C, D, and F. Also, depending on the institution, a D, or even a C, might constitute a failing grade for the course.

Letter grades correspond to a specific range of percentage values. The range of values assigned to a given letter differ based on the grading scale, but are generally pretty similar. The following table shows a commonly used grading scale, and the corresponding letter and percentage grades.

Point value:

Point value grades refer to grades where the points earned for all assessments in the course are summed; the grade achieved in the course is calculated by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of points possible. There can be any number of points in this type of grading system.

For example, a course may have 10 homework assignments worth 20 points each, 5 quizzes worth 50 points each, and 3 exams worth 150 points each. To be able to determine the weight of each type of assessment, it is necessary to find the total number of points for all the assessments in the course. In this case,

10(20) + 5(50) + 3(150) = 900

Thus, the course has a total of 900 points making homework worth 22.2% of the final grade, quizzes worth 27.8%, and exams worth 50%. We can also determine how much each individual assessment is worth. For this example, each homework assignment is 2.2%, each quiz is 5.5%, and each exam is 16.67% of the final grade.

Weighted Grade Calculator

Quickly calculate your weighted class grade by entering each assignment and its total value.

How to Use the Weighted Grade Calculator

Tracking your progress throughout the semester is a great way to set yourself up for success. Use our weighted grade calculator to make sure your class grade expectations are kept in check. And if you're already in finals season, try out our final grade calculator .

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Not into videos? Now worries, we've got you covered. Just follow the steps below to figure out your weighted class grade.

Enter your assessment name

First off, enter the name of your assessment. These could be homework assignments, quizzes, tests, essays, or others.

Enter your assessment grade

Second, enter the grade you received for that particular assessment. You can choose letter or percent, and the other will update accordingly.

Enter your assessment weight

Lastly, input the weight of your assessment (as a percent). These are commonly found on a class syllabus or you can ask your instructor.

Add another assessment (optional)

To add additional assessments, click the "add assessment" button, then follow the previous 3 steps.

Add another class (optional)

To add additional classes just hit the "add class" button towards the bottom left. Then repeat steps 1–3 for each new assessment.

What are Weighted Grades?

In both high school and college, classes typically employ a 'weighted' system where groups of similar assignments (homework, quizzes, tests, etc.) are worth varying amounts of your overall grade.

What this means is that 10 points scored on a quiz is not always equal to 10 points scored on a homework assignment. At the end of the semester your instructor will add up all the points for each group of assessments, and then 'weight' them accordingly. This will provide the final grade you receive at the end of a semester.

If you're keen on learning more details about the grading process or just curious about how it's done, check out our guide entitled How to Calculate Grades ; it's even complete with a number of examples to illustrate how grades are calculated.

Track Your Grades

It's important to keep abreast of your class grades, especially if you're trying to achieve a particular score. Using our calculator will help you keep tabs on your progress, and even save your data until you return. Bookmark our site for easy access, and come back often. Best of luck!

• Letter A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F Percent 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60
• Grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F Weight Regular Honors AP / IB College

What is Cumulative GPA: Meaning and How to Calculate It

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Weighted Grade Calculator

Use our weighted grade calculator to easily calculate the grade for a weighted class. Just enter each assignment, grade, and total weight here. You can also analyze the remaining assignments’ grades

How to use the weighted grade calculator

Keep track of your grades to maximize your chances of academic success. You can use our grade calculator to quickly find out your current course grade and know where you stand.

If you need to know which grade you need on your final exam, for example, you can use our calculator.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow these steps to use the weighted grade calculator

First Step: Add each assessment name

This is optional, but it’s useful to add assessment names to help you keep track of everything if it’s a complex class with many assessments. An assessment may be homework, an essay, or a quiz.

Second Step: Add your assessment grade

Add the letter grade or percentage grade for each assessment.

You can use a letter grade or you can enter your score on a percentage grading system.

Third Step: Add the assessment weight

As this is a weighted grade, so you don’t need to add letter grades here

each assessment has a different weight over the final grade .

Fourth Step: Add more assessments

You can add more assessments to keep track of your grade as a class progresses.

Then repeat the first 3 steps.

Fifth Step: Add another class

You can keep track of several classes at once by adding another class to the calculator.

Then repeat the steps above for each new class so you can keep track of all your grades from one spot.

The grades are automatically calculated taking into account the weight for each assessment, so you can save time and trouble, and just focus on your studies.

What is a weighted grade?

A weighted score or a weighted grade is a course where there are different elements that contribute to the final course grade, and each of them has a different weight.

suppose, the grade weight of homework could be 15% of the course grade, while the final exam may represent 50%.

Knowing the different grade weights in your course elements is key to being able to anticipate and calculate your grade on a weighted course. Usually, you can find this information in your class syllabus.

If you want to know more about how grades are calculated, you can read our guide on  how to calculate grades .

How can you improve your grades?

By keeping track of your performance percentage grades on the different assignments of a weighted grade, you can start to see patterns in your performance.

If you get fewer points in your essays, then that’s where you need to focus your effort to improve your numbers and increase the weighted average grade.

You can discuss with your teacher for an average grade other strategies or areas of improvement, and they may allow you to retake a previous assignment.

As the final exam usually has a minimum grade and a bigger impact on the overall grade, you could easily improve your numbers with a current grade great grade.

But it’s better to start working early to get as high school’s many grade points as possible before you face the average grade final exam.

It’ll help you be better prepared for getting your desired grade, a first-class grade. Following the above methods, you can get your desired grade in the final exam.

Keep track of all your grades

Use our weighted grade calculator to keep track of all your courses, analyze your progress, and help you plan your work during your academic career.

How much is a weighted grade worth?

Your weighted GPA (weighted average grade point) is one of the most important parts of your application because it shows colleges how much you’ve done with difficult material. An average GPA may show you’re not taking on too many challenges, however, if your GPA is high enough you might find yourself having to do a little extra work to achieve an excellent grade. A good weighted GPA could help boost your chances of getting into a better school.

What is the weighted total for my grade?

A weighted total is simply adding together numbers based on how much weight you assign them. You can calculate your final grade by assigning weights to your different grades. This is done while calculating the final grade. The reason behind it is to give more or less priority to particular assessments.

How to Raise Your GPA

A good grade point average (GPA) can mean a wider range of opportunities for your career.

How to Calculate Grades

It’s important to know how to calculate your grades, so you can keep track of your progress in all your classes and where you need to put on more effort to increase your GPA.

How to Calculate GPA

This ultimate guide on grade point average (GPA) will help you understand the differences between weighted and unweighted GPA, and how to calculate your college GPA, cumulative GPA , and semester GPA.

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How to Calculate Grades With Weighted Percentages

How to Calculate What Grade I Need on the Final

Often, teachers and professors like to assign more weight to important exams or assignments. This means that those pieces of work contribute more to your final grade.

Without any weighted grades, you can simply average your test scores and figure out what your final grade will be. Weighted grades make it a little more difficult but not too much.

How Do You Calculate a Weighted Average?

You have a class in which you have four midterms. Each midterm is worth 15 percent of your grade. The final is worth 40 percent of your grade. Your grades on the midterms are 61, 75, 90 and 79. Your grade on the final is 96. What is your final grade in the class?

1. Begin by changing all weights into ​ decimals ​. This means that for each midterm which is worth 15 percent, the percentage is divided by 100 to yield 0.15. The weight of the final is thus 40/100 which yields 0.4. To ensure that you have calculated the weights correctly, you should add them all together. They should add up to one as shown below:

Good! The weights add up to one. Now you can move on to the next step.

2. Each grade must be multiplied by its weight to find your final grade:

In this case your final grade is a 84.2. You can see that even though a couple of those grades were on the lower end, scoring well on the exam that was weighted the highest really helped to bring your grade up.

This process can be used to figure out what kind of grade you should aim for on a given exam if you want to end up with a certain grade. For example, say you want to have at least a 90 in the class. So far in the same class as above your grades on the four midterms are 89, 85, 91 and 78. What would you need to get on the final in order to have at least a 90 in the class?

You know the weights add up to one, so you don't need to check that. Instead, you can move on to multiplying weights by grades and adding them together. Except this time, instead of having a value for a grade on the final, it'll be a ​ variable ​. You can call it "f" for final. You also know the sum of all of these should at least be a 90. You can set it up as follows:

Solving for "f" you get:

This means that in order to get at least a 90 in the class you will have to score at least a 96.4 on the final exam.

What Is the Weighted Average Formula?

This can get a little complicated depending on the type of weighted average you want. If you're keeping it simple as discussed above, then the following formula works well:

The "w" with a subscript refers to a weight expressed as a decimal. All weights must add up to one. The "grade" with a subscript refers to the grade you got. This must be matched with the correct weight. You can add as many of these together as you want, as long as the weights all add up to one.

If the weight adds up to ​ more than one ​, then you may have made a mistake in converting from percentage into decimal. You should also go back and make sure that all the percentages added together equal 100. If that isn't the case, make sure and let your teacher know. They may have made a mistake.

Alternatively, use a free online weighted grade calculator .

Related Articles

How to calculate school grades by percentage, how to calculate the percentage of a grade, how to calculate weighted class grades, how to calculate grades with weights, how to calculate the average after midterms, how to check multiplication, how do i calculate a test as 20% of a grade, how to calculate grade scores, how to calculate weighted totals, how to convert numerical grade point average, how to calculate semester grade, how to calculate a cumulative numerical average, how to calculate a test average, how to calculate trimester gpa, what are the different gpa scales, how to calculate your semester average, how to grade on a bell curve, how to calculate a passing grade for a test, how to calculate my grades for college classes.

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Weighting Grades, Giving Extra Credit, and Other Tips on Managing Assignments and Grades in Canvas

by Cecilia Lo | Aug 20, 2018 | Canvas , Canvas Features/Functions , How-tos

Canvas provides a fully functional gradebook that can help both instructors and students to keep track of their progress in a course. Once you figure out its few quirks, you will be able to manage grades with ease.

I. Some Terminology: Assignment Groups vs. Assignments, & How They Relate to Gradebook Columns II. Weighting Grades III. Muting Grade Notifications IV. Grade History – Who Changed The Grade When? V. Using Grading Schemes VI. Curving Grades VII. Giving Extra Credit VIII. Tools and Course Setup for Multiple TAs IX. Excluding an Assignment from the Course’s Final Grades X. Filtering by Modules, Automatic Late Policies, & Other New, Helpful Functions in the New Gradebook XI. Resources

I. Some Terminology: Assignment Groups vs. Assignments, & How They Relate to Gradebook Columns

There are two common sources of confusion in understanding and using Canvas assignments and gradebooks. One is the distinction between Assignment Groups and Assignments. Assignment Groups are categories of assignments, such as problem sets, papers, quizzes, exams, presentations, and participation. They are important for organizational purposes and particularly important if you want to weight grades. Assignments are individual assessment items that receive grades, as, for example, first paper, second paper, or final paper. Assignment Groups and assignments are created separately. You can move assignments into different Assignment Groups by dragging them on the Assignment Index page or editing the Assignment.

Assignment groups vs Assignments

A second common source of confusion is how to create gradebook columns. In Canvas, assignments are tightly integrated with the Gradebook and the only way to create a gradebook column is to create and publish an assignment . This may seem unintuitive at first glance, as not all assignments require online submissions (e.g. attendance and participation or assignments done on paper). However, instructors can choose different submission types when they create an assignment— No Submission, Online, or On Paper . The one-to-one correspondence between the number of assignment items and the number of gradebook columns ensures that grading policy is transparent to the students and that both instructors and students always see the same number of assessment items.

II. Weighting Grades

You can have Canvas automatically calculate weighted grades in just a few clicks: on the Assignment Index page, click Options , select Assignment Group Weight , then enter the percentages for each Assignment Group. For example, in a course where the grades are determined as follows:

The process for weighting grades is:

To weight grades, go the the Assignments page, click on the Options button, select Assignment Groups Weight , select the Weight final grades based on assignment groups check box, enter the weights, and click Save .

How Canvas Calculates Weighted Grades for an Assignment Group

Canvas determines weighted grades by calculating:

• the grade (in percentage) of individual Assignment Groups (sum of points scored divided by total possible points);
• the total grade (sum of Assignment Group grades multiplied by their respective weights).

In the example for “Paper Assignments” Group above, there are 4 assignments, each worth 20 points; together they add up to 80 points. The Assignment group counts 30% towards the total grade. If a student scores 18, 16, 10, and 15 respectively, then

The subtotal grade for “Paper Assignment” is: (18 + 16 + 10 + 15)/80*100% = 73.75% The contribution of “Paper Assignment” to the Total grade is: 73.75% * 0.3 = 22.13%

Weighted Grades within an Assignment Group

In the above example, because each assignment has the same maximum points (20 points), each assignment contributes equally within the Assignment Group. If you wish a particular assignment to weigh more, just make sure it has a higher number of total points, or assign it to a separate Assignment Group.

Tips : If you have many assignments (about 10 or more) in one Assignment Group, and the total points for each assignment vary by one or two points, then by arithmetic the assignments contribute essentially equally to the Assignment Group grades, as the difference between each assignment after multiplying by the weighted percentage would be relatively small. (e.g. 1 point in an Assignment Group with a total of 100 points and which counts as 30% of the total grade is 0.3 points of the total grade.)

How Weighted Grades Appear in the Gradebook

In the Canvas Gradebook, each gradebook column (with linked heading) shows the raw points for an assignment (unless you have applied grade curving to it); the Assignment Group column (with black heading) shows the percentage a student scored for that Assignment Group; and the Total column shows the final, weighted grade.

In the example above, the Assignment Group column for “Paper Assignment (30.00% of grade)” is 73.75%.

NB : If a student didn’t submit a particular assignment, be sure to give it zero points. If you leave the score blank ( – ), Canvas will treat it as excused and ignore it in its calculation of the Assignment Group subtotal and Total scores.

For more about weighting grades, see: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10059-415267002

III. Muting Grade Notifications

When instructors enter grades into Canvas’ gradebook, a notification is sent to the student automatically . Some students are prone to panic if they find that their peers have received their grades but they have not. You can release grades to all students simultaneously if you select Mute Assignment and stop notifications from going out until you “unmute” the assignment. Muting assignments allows you time to review and make grade adjustments without sending students multiple notifications.

To mute an assignment, go to Grades, click on the options dropdown for the assignment, and select Mute Assignment:

Mute Assignment link in Canvas Gradebook

NB : Canvas does not include muted assignments in the Assignment Group and Total grade calculations—if it did, students would be able to calculate backwards and figure out what their grades are. Be sure to unmute assignments when you have finished grading them so that the gradebook calculations are correct.

For more about muting assignments, see: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-12961-4152724339

IV. Grade History – Who Changed The Grade When?

From time to time you may wish to track how a student’s grade for a particular assignment changes over time, especially when there are multiple instructors or TAs giving grades in a course. Canvas’ Grade History tool can be helpful in such cases.

To access Grade History, click on the Options (gear) icon in Grades and select View Gradebook History . (In the New Gradebook, select the Gradebook dropdown, then “Gradebook History…”.)

To view grade history in the old Gradebook, select View Gradebook History from the gear icon on the Grades page, enter filter parameters and click the Filter button.

How to read Gradebook History

• The Before column shows the grade before the change at a particular date and time (row).
• The After column shows the grade after the change at a particular date and time (row).
• The Current column always shows the latest grade; it is the grade a student has now.

Example of Grade History

In the example above, on Jun 27, 2018 at 4:25pm, the Before column is empty because it is the first time a grade (0/20) is entered. On Aug 16, 2018, this grade is changed from 0/20 to 20/20. The Current grade for all rows is 16/20 because on Aug 17, 2018, the last time this grade was edited, the grade has been changed from 20/20 to 16/20.

NB : The dropdown selection can take a few seconds to display, especially if there are many students in a course. Be sure to click the maroon Filter button at the end to filter the results. You can filter for more than one category; for example, you can filter for student name and assignment name simultaneously.

V. Using Grading Schemes

You can apply a specific grading scheme to your assignment and/or overall course grade so that each letter or performance grade corresponds to a specific numeric grade range (e.g. A/Excellent = 91% to 100%; A-/Good = 88%-90%; etc). Once you have created a grading scheme, it can be reused in other courses you teach with just a few clicks.

Select Grading Scheme for an Assignment

To display letter grade for an assignment, edit the assignment, choose Letter Grade under the Display Grade as dropdown menu.

• Choose the appropriate grading scheme (see “Choose/Create New Grading Schemes” below).

Choose/Create New Grading Schemes

Click on the View Grading Scheme link under Display Grade as to choose the appropriate grading scheme.

Click on the Select Another Scheme link at the top right to select another grading scheme.

• To create a new grading scheme, click manage grading schemes link at the bottom right, then click the Add grading scheme button on the right.

Use Grading Scheme for the Total Grade in Your Course

You can display the Total grade of your course as a letter/performance grade by going to Settings > Course Details > Select the check box for Enable course grading scheme > Choose the appropriate grading scheme > Click the Update Course Details button at the bottom of the page.

To enable grading scheme for the course total grade, go to course Settings , check the Enable course grading scheme box, click the Select grading scheme link, then select the appropriate grading scheme, click Done , then click the maroon Update Course Details button.

For more information, see:

• [Overview] How do I use grading schemes in a course? https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-13067-4152206341
• How do I add a grading scheme to an assignment? https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10216-415282270
• How do I enable a grading scheme for a course? https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-12906-415257089
• How do I add a grading scheme in a course? https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10313-415257090

VI. Curving Grades

You can use the Canvas Gradebook to curve grades for individual assignments. When you enter a desired average grade, Canvas will automatically adjust the scores as a bell curve 66% around the average curve.

Grade curving is available for assignments only ; if you wish to curve the total grade of a course, you will need to do so manually. Grade curving cannot be undone (although you can use Gradebook History to view pre-curved grades) and is advisable in courses where only a certain number of students can pass, or when you require a fixed distribution of grades distributed throughout the class.

Step-by-step instructions on curving grades are available at: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-12832-415255003

VII. Giving Extra Credit

Do you want to give extra credit to students but are unsure how get Canvas Gradebook to recognize it? There are a few ways to do this:

Method 1: Add Extra Points to an Existing Assignment/Quiz

You can give extra credit to a particular assignment by adding the extra points to the total points a student scored, even if the student received a perfect score. Canvas allows you to give points greater than the highest possible points.

For example, If an assignment is worth a total of 100 points, a student earned a perfect score of 100, and you want to reward them with 5 extra credit points, you can enter 105 as the grade for the assignment.

If you use Canvas’ SpeedGrader for grading, you can enter the extra points in SpeedGrader. If you use rubrics in conjunction with SpeedGrader, you can add the extra points either to an existing rubric criterion or to an “Extra Credit” criterion. If you decide to add an “Extra Credit” criterion, make sure that the assignment point total excludes the total maximum extra credit points (i.e. the rubric is worth more points than the assignment) so that the actual assignment points are not affected by whether a student receives extra credit or not.

For example, if your rubric has four criteria with 4 maximum points each, and an “extra credit” criterion with 2 points each, then the maximum point total for your rubric is 4×4 + 2 = 18 points. But your assignment point total should be 16 points.

You can give extra credit in Quizzes as well. To adjust the point value for an entire quiz, use fudge points .

Method 2: Grant Extra Points in a Stand-alone “Extra Credit” Assignment and Gradebook Column

If you want to keep track of extra credit for the course as a whole, you can create a stand-alone extra credit assignment and gradebook column and adjust a student’s points as needed.

If you don’t weight your grades , you can create a separate assignment with 0 points. Any extra points given in this gradebook column will be added to the total points for the course.

If you weight your grades with assignment groups, you will need to create an extra credit assignment group with a weight greater than 0% and an assignment with greater than 0 points in order for Canvas Gradebook to calculate the total score correctly. All the assignment groups in your course plus the extra credit assignment group should weigh more than 100% in total.

One example of a correct setup for assignment groups with a maximum of 10% (or 10 points) extra credit for the course is:

Notice that the first 4 assignment groups, containing assignments that all students are assessed on, total to 100%. This ensures that any assignment placed within the Extra Credit assignment group will have either a positive or neutral effect on your students’ overall grade.

• If you are weighting your assignment groups, please pay attention to how weighted groups can affect the Gradebook if assignments are worth zero points.
• If you have drop rules set in an assignment group, adding extra points may affect your students’ scores.

For a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to give extra credit within Canvas, see: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-9940-415278195

VIII. Tools and Course Setup for Multiple TAs

If you have multiple TAs working from the same Canvas course site and they are each assigned to a specific group of students, Academic Technology Solutions can help you set up your course site so that they only see the grades of the students they are responsible for. To get started, email the URL of your course site and a brief description of your needs to [email protected] .

IX. Excluding an Assignment from the Course’s Final Grades

If you wish to provide feedback for assignments without the assignment counting toward Gradebook calculations, you can exclude the assignment in the final grade calculation. (Note: this excludes the grade for all students. If you want to assign an assignment to a specific group of students, you should specifically assign course sections , assign individual students , or assign course groups to the assignment.)

For step-by-step instructions, see: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10120-4152618765

Alternatively, you can have Canvas automatically drop the lowest (or highest) grade in an assignment group. See https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-9880-4152232976 for step-by-step instructions.

X. Filtering by Modules, Automatic Late Policies, & Other New, Helpful Functions in the New Gradebook

In January 2018, Canvas released the New Gradebook, which offers a number of enhanced features, such as filtering by modules, automatic late policies, and customizable coloring. The current gradebook is expected to be deprecated and replaced by the New Gradebook sometime in the second half of 2018. For more information on how to opt-in and use the new features, see ATS’ “ Introducing the New Gradebook ” blog post.

XI. Resources

You can see the complete Instructor Guides for the topics discussed above at:

• Assignments
• Discussion Forums
• Online Quizzes
• Speedgrader

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How to Calculate Grades Based on Percentages (With Calculator!)

Determine grading policy, grade calculator, calculate category averages, converted weighted grade percentages, calculate averages, determine total grade, how to handle a weighted grading system, how to handle point systems to determine your total score, how to determine how much you need to score on your final exam to maintain your grade.

Many high school teachers and college professors weigh homework, quizzes and test grades differently depending on the difficulty and significance of the assignment. Big tests (like a midterm exam or final exam) and quizzes generally account for most of the total grade, because they encompass more of the subject material.

The letter grades you receive in the gradebook after all of your individual assignments, tests, and quizzes have been graded make up your grade point average (gpa). Typically, students want to keep their gpa as high as possible. Whether you are on the verge of failing a class, or you have pretty good grades and just want to know how your grades add up, you can calculate your grades with a few simple formulas.

1. establish your professor's grading policy for how each category is weighted.

• The professor may announce this early on in the class for clarity. If they do not, you can also check with the ​ course syllabus ​ or refer to the school policy.
• Asking directly may be best because of professor preferences in their weighted grading system that may not be updated in online materials.

For example

The professor may weigh 35 percent of the final grade to quizzes, 20 percent to homework and 45 percent to tests.

Below we provide a grade calculator as an alternative to performing the grade calculations explained in the article.

2. Calculate the average of each category by adding up all of your scores for each category and divide by the number of assignments in that category.

If you have five tests with the scores of 90, 85, 100, 75 and 91, the accumulated point total for all your test would be 441. Divide the total by five for your test average of 88.2 percent.

3. Convert the weighted grade percentages to decimal value by dividing the percentage by 100.

If tests are weighted 45 percent of the total grade, the decimal would be 0.45 (45 / 100 = 0.45).

Repeat this step for each weighted section (homework, quizzes, tests, etc.).

4. Multiply the average for each category by the weight, in decimal, of each category to calculate the total points out of 100.

If your test average is 88.2 percent and is weighted 45 percent, the points for your overall grade out of 100 would be 39.69 (which is 88.2 x 0.45). Repeat this step for your other subject categories.

While most professors will maintain the final grade given, speaking with the professor can result in updating the grade through additional projects or corrections.

Additionally, if a student is not happy with the course grade, some colleges have policies allowing classes to be repeated and then averaged, which can also raise a course grade as well as your overall gpa.

5. Add the results for each category from Step 4 to find out your total grade out of 100 points.

If you calculated a 39.69 for test, 34 for quizzes and 18.5 for homework, your total grade would be 92.19 percent.

At many colleges using a four-point scale, an A requiring a total grade of 90 with a B letter grade falling in the 80 percent range.

A C grade ranges between 70 and 80 percent with a D ranging from 60 to 70 percent. Anything below a 60 percent would be considered a failing grade, or F.

These grade ranges do vary by school and professor, and they are general estimates with some colleges starting an A at 92 percent, a B at 83 percent and so on.

A weighted score is the key to understanding where your professor wants you to focus. Look especially for attendance or term papers. If your syllabus mentions extra credit, do the extra credit work because it gives you a buffer going into your final exam.

The key is to start from the max total score and follow the breakdown from tests and quizzes to homework and attendance.

As an example, a language course has a quiz every class that is worth 20 points. If you have 30 quizzes or two per week, the total quiz points is 600. If the total number of points is 1,000 and 600 or 60% (600 / 1000) comes from quizzes, you should spend extra time ensuring you maximize your quiz score.

On the other hand, point values from quizzes are often weighted lower than your midterm and final grades – often, because your instructor wants to grade you on your complete understanding of the material rather than recalling by rote something from the textbook.

Your overall grade will often be determined by your final exam. Because your class is almost complete, you should take your syllabus and your scores and be able to calculate your current class grade.

For example, your current grade may be a B+ because out of 800 possible points, you have 704 points or 88% (704 / 800). If your final exam is worth 200 points, then your total points is 1,000 and you will need 186 on your final exam for an A- (900 / 1000 is 90%) and a perfect score on your final exam worth 200 points, will still keep you at an A- for your overall grade. Why? Because your final exam was only 20% of your total grade.

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• Mercer University: Weighted Average Grade Calculator
• Canvas: How Do I Weight the Final Course Grade Based On Assignment Groups
• Georgia Tech: How Categories and Weighting Affect Grade Calculation In Percentage Gradebooks
• Baruch College Undergraduate Bulletin: Letter Grades and Grade Point Equivalents

Helen Jody Lin has been writing since 2009. She has written screenplays, produced short films and worked in entertainment marketing. Her work has been published in campaigns for Fanscape, a digital media marketing agency. Lin has a thorough knowledge of broad topics such as fitness and extreme sports. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in radio-television-film.

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What is JD Vance's net worth? A look at Donald Trump's VP pick's fortune

Republican Donald Trump's pick for vice president J.D. Vance is an investor, venture capitalist, best-selling author and U.S. Senator from Ohio.

So how much is Vance worth? Here's a look at his fortune.

Business: JD Vance, Steve Case want the heartland's start-up pitches

J.D. Vance worth estimated at $5 million

Vance, 39, of Middletown, has a net worth of $5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth .

Citing Vance's 2022 Congressional financial disclosure, Celebrity Net Worth reports that the majority of his 100-plus investments are worth between $1,000 and $15,000. Some of Vance's major investments include:

• Huntington National Bank which holds $250,000 – $500,000
• Robin Hood checking account which holds $100,000 – $250,000
• Five Goldman Sachs CDs valued at a combined range of $500,000 and $1.05 million
• $500,000 – $1 million worth of shares in the QQQ Exchange Traded Fund
• $100,000 – $200,000 worth of 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF shares
• $100,000 – $250,000 worth of Bitcoin held through Coinbase
• $50,000 – $100,000 worth of Walmart stock

How much does Vance make as a senator?

Vance earns an annual salary of $174,000 as a U.S. senator, according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation .

How much would Vance earn as Vice President of the United States?

If he ascends to be the country's second in command, Vance would make $235,100 each year he serves as vice president, according to the NTUF.

'Hillbilly Elegy' earns Vance nearly $500,000

According to Business Insider , Vance reported earnings of $475,308 in 2021 off royalties from his 2016 memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy."

VP pick has Columbus ties: Who is JD Vance? Vice presidential candidate has multiple ties to Columbus

That royalty payday in the year he announced his political candidacy was an increase from the previous year. In 2020, his book earned him $347,752, not including a deal with Netflix.

Colleges pay Vance $70,000 to speak after 'Hillbilly Elegy' published

In the two years after the publication of "Hillbilly Elegy," Vance visited 18 colleges and universities to give commencement addresses, lectures or political talks, the Associated Press reports . He was paid more than $70,000 for those visits, according to records provided to the AP.

At the time, Vance, an Ohio State University and Yale Law School graduate, spoke highly of education, the AP reports. But once he announced his political campaign, he targeted universities as enemies of the conservative movement.

Vance wins U.S. Senate seat in 2022

In Nov. 2022, Trump-endorsed Vance defeated Democrat Tim Ryan in the election for the U.S. Senate, keeping one of Ohio's seats in Republican hands.

The race to replace retiring Sen. Rob Portman became one of the most watched in the nation, and Republicans fought harder than planned to keep a seat  critical to a GOP Senate majority .

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan raised millions of dollars and took advantage of a bruising GOP primary to keep the race close until the very end, as the Cincinnati Enquirer previously reported .

How Many Calories Do I Need to Burn to Lose Weight? We Asked the Experts

We found out the number you need to burn to shed some pounds.

• Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach

• Registered Dietitian
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
• New York University, BS in Nutrition & Dietetics
• Russell Sage College, MS in Applied Nutrition

The key to losing weight is to burn more calories than you take in. It sounds like a simple idea, but if you have tried to lose weight , you know it's more complicated than that . If your goal is to shed some pounds, you'll first have to figure out how many calories you need to eat and how many calories you burn during a workout. 

The number of calories someone needs to burn to lose weight healthily varies by person. Working with a dietitian or nutritionist can help you establish a practical plan for your body's specific needs. If this type of resource in accessible, you can learn how to estimate how many calories you need to eat and burn daily to meet your weight loss goals. 

To explain the process in greater detail, I consulted Jamie Maitland , renowned fitness instructor, certified holistic nutritionist and founder of The Office Health .

How do calories work?

A calorie is a unit of energy used to express how much energy you exert or consume daily. We need calories; they give the body fuel and the ability to function. The calories you intake that are not used are stored as body fat.

According to the USDA, adult females need to consume between 1,600 and 2,200 calories each day. The average male requires between 2,200 and 3,000 calories. These are just guidelines, and while most people may fall within these ranges, you might not. Body composition and total daily energy expenditure are the two factors that determine your basal metabolic rate.

Read more: The Expert-Approved Way to Count Calories

You burn calories just by living . That's right, just reading this burns calories. So, whenever you clean your house or garden or do things that don't feel like a workout, you're burning calories. Unless you intentionally increase this activity level over some time, your current daily energy expenditure won't necessarily cause you to lose weight.

How many calories should you burn to lose weight? 

Everyone is different, so you'll have different calorie goals than someone else. Maitland explained that several factors influence how many calories you need to burn to lose weight. They include your weight, age, gender, hormones and health conditions. Your lifestyle and attitude will also come into play. 

"In order to really determine how many calories you need to burn to lose weight, you should realistically ask yourself what your goal weight is, and if you are willing to change the way you think in order to achieve those results," Maitland said.

Calorie needs vary by person, the science behind weight loss is clear: you must be in a calorie deficit. You do this by either reducing the extra calories you're consuming or burning more than what you're eating with exercise. 

You've probably heard of the 3,500-calorie deficit rule , which states that a pound of fat equals 3,500 calories. While this provides a basic framework, Maitland pointed out that it won't apply to everyone. If you're unsure where to start, Maitland suggests that you start simply and shave off 500 calories from your normal daily intake and monitor how you feel. 

You should always consult your doctor first before making any changes to your diet. Whether you research yourself, meet with a health professional or find an accountability group, your weight loss goals are achievable.

How to calculate the number of calories you burn

If you're looking for a way to figure out how many calories you burn in a day, a reliable way to do this is by first finding out your resting metabolic rate . Your RMR is the basic number of calories your body needs to function and maintain your weight. This doesn't account for extra activities that you do during the day. There are a few methods to calculate your RMR, but the most reliable is the Mifflin-St Jeor equation . It calculates the number of calories you need to eat daily based on your assigned gender at birth, height, age and weight. The Mifflin-St Jeor equation looks like this:

Males: (10 × weight in kilograms) + (6.25 × height in centimeters) - (5 × age in years) + 5

Females: ( 10 × weight in kilograms) + (6.25 × height in centimeters) - (5 × age in years) - 161

If you're looking to see how many calories you'll need based on activity level, then you'll need to multiply your RMR results with your activity level based on the following chart:

• 1.2 - Sedentary (little to no exercise)
• 1.375 - Lightly active (workout 1-3 days a week)
• 1.55 - Moderately active (workout 3-5 days a week)
• 1.725 - Very active (workout 6-7 days a week)
• 1.9 - Extra active (two-a-day workouts, active job)

Example: 5-ft 4-in, 125 pounds, moderately active woman, 29 years old

RMR: (10 × 56.699) + (6.25 × 162.56) - (5 × 29) - 161 = 1,276.99 calories

RMR x Activity Level: 1,276.99 x 1.55 = 1,979.3345 calories

What is a caloric deficit?

A caloric deficit is when you burn more calories than you eat in a day. As Maitland mentioned, it's usually recommended to start a deficit by cutting back 500 calories a day from your diet. It's important to remember that this may vary per individual so it's best to consult with a professional before doing so.

Quick tips to cut 500 calories : 

• Opt for healthy snacks like fruit or nuts
• Try to eliminate high-calorie treat each day
• Identify low-calorie swaps like using low-fat milk or plain yogurt instead of sour cream
• Cut out high-calorie drinks like sodas
• Use smaller bowls or plates
• Avoid fried foods as often as you can

Remember, calories don't tell you the quality of food you're eating. Focus on nutrient-rich foods that ensure your body and mind get what they need to function and flourish. 

What are healthy weight loss goals? 

Losing weight in a healthy and sustainable way is essential for meeting your goals. According to Maitland, a healthy weight loss goal is between 2 and 5 pounds a week. That doesn't mean that if you're not losing within that range, you're doing it wrong. It's simply a guideline for what is healthy and sustainable. You should expect it to vary each week. 

"It's important to understand the difference between water weight loss and actual fat loss. Regardless of how much weight you would like to lose, it's imperative to set realistic goals and trust that even the smallest steps taken daily can make a difference. Consistency is the secret sauce," Maitland said. 

Weight loss is a long-term lifestyle change. Maitland highlighted that your weight loss will plateau if you don't increase the deficit. So, your diet and exercise routines should be evaluated frequently to ensure they suit your goals. That said, if you achieve your goals and find a workout routine that works for you, it's OK to stick with it. 

How to track calorie burn when you exercise 

It's essential to track your progress when exercising, not only so you can see how far you've come but also to identify when you need a break. 

How many calories you burn will vary by the duration and intensity of your workout, so it's good practice to use a fitness tracker to simplify things. The top fitness trackers like Fitbit , Apple Watch and Whoop include your calorie burn throughout the day and during your tracked workouts. 

Factors that contribute to how many calories you burn:

• Your heart rate zone : Smartwatches measure your heart rate zones , or how hard you're pushing and recovery periods. Heart rate zones will change, so having a record will help you determine when you need to take your workout to the next level. 
• Your natural resting heart rate : We all have a unique resting heart rate . The normal range falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Use your heart rate to inform how often you need to take breaks. For example, you may need to take more breaks if you have a naturally high heart rate. 
• Your weight : How much you weigh will impact how many calories you burn while exercising. Someone who weighs less will burn less. It's important to note that muscle mass burns more calories than body fat, so your weight will burn more calories if you regularly strength train.
• The type of workout: Strength training may not burn as many calories as cardio , though it's important to include both sources to build muscle mass and avoid injury. 

Read more: Best Fitness Tracker 

Too long; didn't read?

Understanding how calories and weight loss are related is the basis for any wellness journey. Whether you research yourself, meet with a health professional or find an accountability group, your weight loss goals are achievable.

The best part is that you don't have to completely change your life to lose weight. You can find an exercise routine that works for you. Walking for 20 to 30 minutes daily can go a long way, and at-home exercises can do wonders for losing body fat . Counting calories doesn't make sense for everyone , especially if you have a history of disordered eating .

"Your life doesn't need to make sense to anyone but you. Find what motivates you, stick with it and the results will come," Maitland advised. 

Keep your fitness research going by learning when the best time to weigh yourself is, what foods to moderate and which exercises you should focus on to age gracefully . 

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How to Drink Water Intentionally for Weight Loss

• How Much to Drink
• Detox Weight Loss Water
• Other Factors to Consider

Drinking water helps you lose weight when you include other healthful habits, such as exercise and a nutrient-dense diet. Staying hydrated is a critical factor in sustainable weight management.

This article highlights how water contributes to weight loss, how much you should drink, and other factors to consider as part of your weight loss plan.

AsiaVision / Getty Images

How Water Promotes Weight Loss

At any given time, your body comprises up to 60% water. Fluid loss occurs regularly as part of bodily functions like sweating, breathing, and using the bathroom. To support your overall wellness and goals like weight loss, it's essential to replenish these fluids. Here's how drinking enough water aids in weight loss.

Impacts Appetite

Drinking enough water can reduce the likelihood of overeating during the day, helping control calorie intake. Some people find drinking a glass of water before meals can help curb their appetite.

Boosts Metabolism

Water helps your body efficiently process nutrients and convert them into energy. This supports normal metabolism, which may be helpful for weight loss.

Provides Calorie-free Hydration

Choosing water as your primary beverage ensures calorie-free hydration. Unlike sugary drinks, water doesn't add extra calories to your diet. This makes it a healthier choice and supports overall calorie reduction . Consider replacing any high-calorie beverages with water to aid in weight loss.

Facilitates Exercise

Staying well-hydrated helps your physical performance during exercise and supports your recovery afterward. Water helps lubricate joints, regulate body temperature, and transport nutrients throughout your body, promoting more effective workouts and contributing to weight loss.

Enhances Digestion

Water plays a vital role in digestion and helps eliminate waste from your body. Proper hydration supports smooth digestion, ensuring that your body functions normally and can support your weight loss goals.

How Much Water to Drink for Weight Loss

The dietary reference intake (DRI) of water for men and women 19 years old and over is 3.7 liters ounces and 2.7 liters per day, respectively. This amount includes all water obtained from food and beverages. A large study found that many people do not meet this recommendation. In particular, 83% of women and 95% of men over the age of 70 did not meet the DRI.

Factors That Influence Water Intake

Recommended water intake varies. Factors such as age, sex, weight, activity level, and where you live influence this recommendation. You've probably heard the recommendation to drink at least 8 cups (64 ounces) of water daily, often called the 8-by-8 rule. While this is a good starting point, there's limited evidence behind this recommendation.

If healthy weight loss is your goal, consistency in your hydration habits is important. Consider your physical activity level, the temperature and weather where you live, and your overall health when determining how much water to drink daily. For instance, sweating during exercise or when it's hot outside increases your daily water needs.

Pay attention to how your body feels—such as how thirsty you are throughout the day—and adjust your water intake accordingly. To prevent excessive thirst, sip on small amounts of water regularly versus chugging a whole bottle in one sitting.

The color of your urine can also be a helpful guide, though it hasn't been scientifically validated by research as a measurement of hydration. While darker urine can suggest dehydration, pale yellow urine is generally a happy medium. When you start drinking more water, you'll likely notice paler urine and a more frequent need to pee.

Finally, always speak with a healthcare provider for personalized hydration advice based on your health conditions and circumstances, especially if you're concerned about your water intake.

What Is Detox Weight Loss Water?

Detox weight loss water is infused with various natural ingredients. Proponents of detox water claim it can help flush toxins from your body, boost metabolism, and support weight loss. While there are many variations of detox water recipes, the common theme is that they include ingredients with purported health and weight loss benefits, such as:

• Cayenne pepper
• Lemon and lime
• Mint and basil

Fruits, veggies, and herbs offer antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that benefit your overall health and can make plain water taste delicious. However, it's far-fetched to say that adding them to water is the answer to weight loss.

While staying hydrated with water is essential for overall health and can contribute to weight loss, specific claims about detoxification do not have scientific backing. After all, your body manages its detoxification processes through your kidneys .

What's more likely is that these natural flavors add to the taste of plain drinking water, making you more likely to stay hydrated. In addition to infused water, you could include herbal teas and unsweetened seltzer water to help meet your daily fluid needs.

Finally, relying solely on detox water—or any single product, ingredient, food, or lifestyle habit)—for weight loss is insufficient. A balanced and nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices are essential for sustainable weight loss.

Water and Weight Loss: One Piece of the Puzzle

Drinking enough water is vital for your overall health and hydration. However, maintaining adequate fluid levels is one component of healthy, sustainable weight loss. Here are a few other important habits to help you reach your goals.

Eating a Nutrient-Dense Diet

A diet of various nutrient-dense foods is important for healthy weight loss. Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes (examples are beans, peas, and lentils), whole grains, and healthy fats. These foods provide fiber, which helps keep you full and prevent overeating.

Prioritize these healthy foods over ultra-processed foods high in saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium, and minimize sugary beverages that work against your weight loss goals.

Getting Regular Exercise

Getting regular exercise is crucial for weight loss. Both cardiovascular exercises (like running, cycling, playing tennis, or swimming) and strength training (using weight machines, dumbbells, resistance bands, or body weight) contribute to burning calories, improving metabolism, and building lean muscle mass while reducing body fat.

Practicing Mindfulness

Pay attention to what and how you eat to promote healthy weight loss. Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite, eating slowly, and listening to your body's hunger and fullness cues. Avoid distractions like screens during meals, focusing on the food in front of you and how it makes you feel.

One way to enhance your mindfulness is to engage your senses by examining, smelling, tasting, touching, and even listening to your food to help you slow down. This can help you become more aware of when you're starting to feel full but not overstuffed.

Getting Enough Sleep

Quality sleep is essential for overall health and can support weight management. Not only does a lack of sleep make you feel crummy, but it can disrupt hormones related to hunger and stress, potentially leading to overeating. Experts recommend adults get for at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

Managing Your Stress

When not managed, stress can contribute to unwanted weight gain and hinder weight loss efforts. Make regular stress-reducing techniques part of your weight loss plan. Examples include meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, journaling, art, listening to calming music, or other hobbies to help manage your stress levels and support your overall well-being.

Weight loss is a personal journey. What works best for someone else may not work as well for you. However, there are certain habits most people should implement to support healthy weight loss. In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, adequate hydration can support your weight loss goals.

Getting enough fluid helps manage appetite, supports digestion, and complements exercise. Keep a water bottle accessible at all times, sip it throughout the day, and pay attention to your urination and thirst habits.

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By Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD Panoff is a registered dietician, writer, and speaker with over a decade of experience specializing in the health benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.