Two fundamental grading systems dominate higher education. Understanding which one your professor uses is essential for accurate grade tracking.
How Point-Based Grading Works
In point-based systems, every assignment has an assigned point value. Your grade is total earned points divided by total possible points. If your course has 500 total possible points and you've earned 420, your grade is 84%, a B.
The advantage is clarity. You always know exactly how many points you have and how many are available. Point-based systems are common in introductory courses because they're easier to understand.
How Percentage-Based Grading Works
Percentage-based systems divide your grade into categories, each with a weight. Rather than tracking absolute points, you track performance in each category. Your final grade is calculated by finding your average in each category and multiplying by the weight.
Percentage-based systems offer flexibility. If you miss one quiz but ace others, the quiz category still contributes its percentage. Unlike point-based systems where missing an assignment significantly impacts your total, percentage-based systems accommodate missing work more flexibly.
How to Tell Which System Your Class Uses
Check your course syllabus. Point-based systems list assignments with point values. Percentage-based systems list categories with percentages. If your syllabus says "Homework 10%, Quizzes 20%, Midterm 30%, Final 40%," you have percentage-based grading.
Another way is to check your learning management system. If your grade display shows a percentage that doesn't match a simple average of your scores, you likely have percentage-based grading.
Calculating Your Grade in Each System
For point-based systems, add all earned points, add all possible points, divide earned by possible, and multiply by 100. For percentage-based systems, calculate your average in each category first, then multiply by the weight.
Why This Matters
Understanding your grading system helps you prioritize effort. In point-based systems, focus on high-value assignments. In percentage-based systems, focus on high-weighted categories.
If you're close to achieving a target grade, knowing your system helps you calculate exactly what you need on remaining assignments.