Create Numeric Grade Items

You can use numeric grade items to grade students by assigning a value out of a specified total number of points. Additionally, numeric grade items are the only type of grade item that you can associate with course objects such as Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes.

Create a numeric grade item:

  1. On the nav bar, click the Assessment menu, then select Grades.
    Grades on Nav Bar
  2. Then click Manage Grades.
    Manage Grades
  3. Click the New button and select Item.
    New Grade Item
  4. Select Numeric
    Numeric Grade Item
  5. Enter the grade item Name.
    Name
  6. (Optional) Enter a Short Name for the category if you’d like. The Short Name is only visible to users with access to the grade book.
    Short Name
  7. (Optional) Use the Category drop down menu to select a category if you’d like the grade item to belong to a category.
  8. (Optional) Enter a Description if you’d like to share additional information about the grade item. Learn about how to use the HTML Editor to Format Course Content. By default, the Description field is collapsed, so you may need to click Show Description to expand it. Select whether or not to Allow users to view grade item description.
    grade item description
  9. Enter the Max Points possible for the grade item. If the grade item belongs to a category, this option may be grayed out depending on the category settings. To review and change the category settings you must edit the category.
    Max Points Numeric Grade
  10. (Weighted Grading System Only) Enter the Weight the grade item should contribute to its parent category or final grade. If the grade item belongs to a category, this option may be grayed out depending on the category settings. To review and change the category settings you must edit the category.
    Weighted Grade Item
  11. Check the box under Can Exceed if students will have the option of earning more than the maximum points possible for this grade item.
    Can Exceed
  12. Check the box under Bonus if this will be an optional bonus grade item. Bonus grade items are not included in the maximum points for a category or final grade. They are added on top of the calculated grade.
    bonus checkbox
  13. (Points Grading System Only) Check the box under Exclude from Final Grade Calculation if you do not want the grade item to be included in the final grade.
    Exclude from Final Grade Calculation
  14. Use the Grade Scheme drop down menu to select a custom Grade Scheme if you have previously created one.
    Select Grade Scheme
  15. (Optional) Click the Add Rubric button to attach a rubric to the grade item. It is recommend that you create the rubric first in the Rubrics tool.
    Add Rubric to grade item
  16. (Optional) Override the system’s Display Options by checking the box next to the display option(s) you’d like the category to have. By default, Display Options is collapsed, so you may need to click Show Display Options to expand it. You can review the system’s Display Options by going to Course Display Options within Settings.
    numeric grade item display options
  17. Click one of the Save options at the bottom of the screen to save your changes:
    • Save and Close: Saves any changes and returns you to the Manage Grades screen.
    • Save and New: Saves any changes and allows you to begin creating a new grade item/category.
    • Save: Saves any changes and stays on the same screen.
    • Cancel: Delete grade item and return to the Manage Grades screen
      Save Options