Quick Reference Guide for Blackboard
Weighted Column
The weighted column is a type of calculated column that generates a grade based on the result of selected columns and
categories and their respective percentages. When creating a weighted column, you can include other calculated columns
or other weighted columns.
Example of a Weighted Column for the Final Grade: You can create any number of weighted columns, including weighted columns that
include other weighted columns. You can create a weighted column that uses the quarters’ weighted columns and the final test grade columns to calculate the final grade for your course.
(Quarter 1 = 15%) + (Quarter 2 = 20%) + (Quarter 3 = 15%) + (Quarter 4 = 20%) + (2 Semester Tests = 30%) = (Year Final Grade*)
Steps to Create a Weighted Column
1.
2.
Go to the Full Grade Center.
Click on Create Calculated Column in
the menu.
3. Click on Weighted Column.
4. Enter a column name, i.e. Final Grade.
5. Optionally enter a Grade Center Name.
6. Enter a Description for the column that describes the
purpose of the column to your students.
7. Select Primary Display and optionally
select a Secondary Display. You have
five options by default which are
Score, Letter, Text, Percentage and
Complete/Incomplete.
8. If you are using grading periods select whether you want
to add this column to a grading period.
9. Select Columns and/or Categories to calculate.
10. Enter a percentage to each selected Column/Category.
11. Select an option for Calculate as Running Total.
12. Select standard options for the column.
 Include this column in the Grade Center Calculations.
 Show Column to Students.
 Show Column Statistics to students.
13. Click Submit.
Primary & Secondary Display Options
Score: D i s p la y s a numeric grade in the column.
Letter: Displays a letter grade based on a preset schema, the
schema can be modified to fit your criteria.
Text: Text appears in the column when a custom text grading
schema is created. i . e . Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and
Poor.
Percentage: A calculated percentage value will display in the
column.
Complete/Incomplete: A check mark (√) appears in the column
when the assignment is completed.
El Paso Community College Distance Learning Support Services Department
Selecting Columns and/or Categories to Calculate
You can select individual grade columns and categories to include in your weighted grade. You will be able to set the weight
of each selected column/category. The sum of all weights must
add up to 100 percent.
1.
Select the columns in the Columns to Select box and click
the right-pointing arrow to move the selections to
the Selected Columns box. When you select a column, you
can view information about the column in the Column Information area below the Columns to Select box.
2.
Select the categories in the Categories to Select box and
click the right-pointing arrow to move the selections to
the Selected Columns box. When you select a category, you
can view which columns are included in the category in the
Category Information area below the Categories to Select box. Other options appear after you move the category
to the Selected Columns box:

Drop Grades removes a number of either highest
or lowest grades for each category from the calculation. If you do not type numbers in the boxes, no
grades will be dropped.
Calculate as Running Total
Select Yes to calculate as a running total. Running totals exempt
cells that do not contain data. Select No to include all selected columns in the calculation, using a value of 0 (zero) if no grade exists.
This can make grades appear artificially low.
Important Information

If you weight by individual columns and you add a new column to the grade
center, the new column will not be automatically included in the weighted
grade. You will need to edit the column information for the weighted column and add the new column to the calculations.

If you weight by categories and you add a new column to the grade center,
ensure your new column is assigned to the correct category. By default
new columns added to the categories will automatically update your grade
in the weighted column.
Contact Distance Learning Support Services at dlss@epcc.edu or 915-831-3111
April 19 2016