When using "points", an assignment is normally worth the same number of points that are possible, e.g., a 10-question quiz worth 10 points. However, you could optionally make a quiz with 10 questions possible be worth 15 points (i.e., each question counts as 1.5 points).

Alternatively on the screen you can change the wording to "grades" instead of "points", e.g., an assignment "worth 1 grade" instead of "worth 1 point". This is just a wording preference; it does not change how grades are calculated. To make all assignments within a category be worth the same, make them each worth 1 grade.

Weighted Categories (on the screen) let you set, for example, homework to be 40% of the grade, quizzes 30%, etc. Categories are optional, and may be weighted or unweighted. These weights are just relative numbers, so it is okay if they don't add up to 100. See Categories

Weighted Grading Periods (on the screen) let you set, e.g., each quarter to be 40% and the final exam to be 20% of the semester grade, or set each quarter as 25% of the year total. Or you can leave these unweighted, e.g., so the 3 six-week grading periods are added together as straight points for the semester grade. (Not applicable if no cumulative grades are defined.) These weights are just relative numbers, so it is okay if they don't add up to 100. See Cumulative Grades

Weighted Objectives can be set in two place for different purposes:

On the screen in Gradebook Mode, you can set how much each objective counts within the assignment. This applies only if "Score objectives separately" is checked. If inputting scores as Points, this is how many points are possible for each objective, which also determines the relative weight. If inputting scores as Percents, Grades or Rubrics, these weights are just relative numbers, so they do not need to add to 100.

On the screen in Admin Mode, you can set how much each objective counts toward the final grade, e.g., set Comprehension to count twice as much as Vocabulary. This is supported only when using Summative grading, not Average grading. These weights are just relative numbers, so they do not need to add to 100.

Net Percent (on the screen) shows what percent of the total grade each assignment represents, based on its Assignment Worth and Category Weights if any. This is a generalization for the whole class — the actual percent for each student may vary if they have any excused, ungraded, or Independent Study assignments. Students do not see the Net Percent — instead they see the Impact on Grade. (Note: Net Percent is out of 100% of either the grading period subtotal, like 2nd Quarter, or the cumulative total, like 1st Semester, depending on whether you're using Weighted Grading Periods.)

Impact on Grade (on the screen and reports; n/a for Rubrics) shows exactly how much each assignment raises or lowers the student's grade. This graph helps students visualize the consequences of missing work, poor test scores, etc., and helps them decide which assignments they should make-up.

This is calculated simply as the different between what the current grade is and what the grade would be without that assignment. This is not a chronological history, so a negative impact is what is below the student's current average, which changes whenever you grade more assignments.

Note: The impact is relative to either the cumulative grade (e.g. semester) or the grading period (e.g. quarter), depending if you're using Weighted Grading Periods. This is not necessarily the same grade that is displayed on the Student screen.


See also: Troubleshoot Grades, Grade Trends
Video: Weights