Some courses have multiple major assessments instead of one final exam. Understanding how these combine into your final grade is essential for realistic planning.
Understanding Your Assessment Structure
Start by identifying all major assessments. List each: its value, due date, and weight. Distinguish between assessments that are alternatives (you do one or the other) and assessments that all count.
Some courses have a traditional final exam plus a final project. Others have multiple projects that collectively replace a final exam. Understanding which applies is crucial.
Weighted Average With Multiple Finals
Calculate your weighted average by multiplying each major assessment weight by its estimated score, then summing the results. If your final exam is 30% and final project is 20%, both equally weighted within their categories, calculate each separately then combine.
Timing Considerations
Multiple major assessments often have staggered due dates. Your first final project due mid-December, comprehensive exam after, final presentation last. Calculate how early work affects your overall grade as you progress through assessments.
Strategic Prioritization
With multiple major assessments, you might perform better on one type. If you're better at projects than exams, focus extra effort on group work and presentations.
Calculate what you need on later assessments based on earlier performance. If your first project scored 78%, you need higher scores on remaining projects to reach your target grade.
Managing Overlapping Deadlines
Multiple major assessments often cluster at semester's end. Create a timeline working backward from due dates. Allocate study time proportionally to each assessment's weight.
Group Work Complications
If any major assessment is group work, understand how individual grades are determined. Some professors give all group members the same grade. Others use peer evaluations or individual contributions.
Communicate with your group about how the grade will be divided. If group work counts significantly toward your final grade, ensure clarity about contribution expectations.
Calculating Your Final Grade
Create a spreadsheet with each major assessment. List actual scores, estimated scores, and weights. Calculate your current grade with known scores and estimated grades with projections for remaining assessments.
This gives you a clear picture of where you stand and what you need going forward.