The Term Grades tab in the Class Gradebook displays a Term Average, calculated from all assessed tasks within an academic term.

Schools can define how this calculation is performed, along with grade scales and assessment structures, which apply across most programmes and classes.

Overview

The Term Average is a cumulative calculation based on task scores entered within a term. Schools can choose between three calculation methods, and these settings apply globally across classes (excluding IB MYP/ PYP programmes).

• Percentage Weights
• Percentage Weights with Points-based Averaging
• Absolute Weights

What's New

• Improved clarity in term grade calculation methods
• Enhanced control over task categories and weighting logic
• Flexible grade scale configuration at school, programme, and class level
• Support for rubric-based assessment models in Term Grades

Step-by-Step Navigation

Selecting your School's Grade Calculation Option

Settings > School Settings > Key Academic Functions

1. Navigate to School Settings and open Key Academic Functions.
2. Select one of the three available calculation methods.
   • Use Percentage weights
   • Use Percentage weights with Points-based averaging
   • Use Absolute weights

Gradebook Calculation Methods

1. Use Percentage Weights

When using percentage weights the task categories are given a weight that totals 100%. It calculates the percent average for each task category, then applies the weighting and finally adds all the resulting values together.

This option does not consider the number of tasks in each category or the number of points per task, i.e. all tasks are considered equal weight.

2. Use Percentage Weights with Points-based Averaging

Points-based averaging will take the total number of points achieved within a category and divide it by the maximum number of points available to find the average for that category.

This calculation method puts a greater emphasis on points achieved as a metric of success, ie tasks with more points are worth more.

3. Use Absolute Weights

When using absolute weights the task categories are given weight from 1-100 whose total can exceed 100 and is not based on percentages but on the absolute values.

This method does not concern itself with calculating the average for a task category, applying the weightings and adding the resulting values together. Instead, it allows you to choose a weighting for a task type and it will apply this weighting to each task.

It puts a greater emphasis on a number of tasks. If the number of tasks is not equal across all categories (e.g. 5 Homework, 3 Project, 1 Exams Tasks), you could have the same average for Homework and Projects tasks but if there are more Homework tasks then the final grade will be more heavily influenced by Homework tasks than Project tasks.

Configuring Default Grade Scales for New Classes

Settings > select Programme > Assessment > Grade Scales > Term

1. Navigate to Grade Scales under the selected programme.
2. Configure default Term Grade scales for new classes.

Note: This only configures default grade conversions for any new classes created after. This change will not apply to the existing classes. This scale is applied to all term grades calculations of grades in classes of the programme.

Configuring Default Task Grade Scales

Settings > Academics > Assessment > Grade Scales > Task

1. Open Task Grade Scales under Assessment settings.
2. Define default grading for task categories in new classes.

Note: This only configures default grade conversions for any new classes created after. This change will not apply to the existing classes. This scale is applied to all Task category calculations of grades in classes of the programme. 

Configuring Term Grade Scale by Class

Class Gradebook > Term Grades > Display Term Grade Scale > Edit

1. Open the class Gradebook.
2. Select Term Grades and expand Term Grade Scale.
3. Edit and save the class-specific grade scale.

This scale is applied to all term grades calculations in the class. 

Configuring Class Task Categories

Class Gradebook > Tasks > Display Task Category Averages > Edit

1. Navigate to Task Categories in the class Gradebook.
2. Add, edit, or delete categories and assign colours.
3. Save changes to apply updates.

Task Categories can be configured on a class-by-class basis. Here teachers can customise and colour-code task categories. These task category weightings are applied to the final grade calculation when entering term grades.

• To delete a category, click the checkbox in the delete column of the category that you wish to delete
• To edit a category, type in the new name in the text field, and click on the colour palette to select a new colour for the label.
• To add a new category, click Add New and type in the name and select a colour for the label.

Please make sure you click Save Changes to apply the changes to your class.

Configuring Task Grade Scales by Class

Class Gradebook > Tasks > Display Task Category Averages > Edit > Task Grade Scales

1. Edit grade scales per task category.
2. Add or remove grade thresholds as needed.
3. Save changes to apply updates.

Configuring Term Rubrics & Assessment Models

Settings > Programme > Assessment Models > Term

1. Create or edit rubrics via Add Rubric
2. Select Criteria, Custom Field, or Formula type.
3. Save rubric and assign to Term Grades workflow.

1. Criteria: this is a set of criteria that teachers will select as a dropdown menu (e.g. Effort grades may be set using a range of 5 to 1 with 5 being excellent effort and 1 being the worst).
2. Custom Field: this is a customisable field allowing teachers to enter in any type of text with a defined suffix (e.g. attendance in % terms).
3. Formula: Formulas allow you to calculate a rubric value based on Custom Fields or Criteria rubric values.

Once you have added your rubrics, they will be visible from the Term Grades tab, where teachers will be able to enter the values. 

Tips & Best Practices

• Ensure category weights total 100% unless using Absolute Weights.
• Use consistent grading structures across classes for better comparability.
• Review rubric definitions before publishing to teachers.

Warnings & Important Notes

Related Articles

Configuring Class Settings (Levels, Phases, Categories & Permissions)
Configuring Task Assessment Settings for Teachers
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Term Average calculated?

It is calculated based on completed and graded tasks within a term, using the selected school-wide calculation method.

Are tasks without a score included in the Term Average?

No. Tasks that have not been scored are not factored into the Term Average calculation.

Are task categories with no assigned tasks included in the calculation?

No. Task categories that have zero tasks assigned are excluded from the calculation.

What happens if a category has tasks but no grades entered?

That category is also excluded from the calculation until grades are entered.

Do excluded categories still affect the final grade weighting?

The category weightings for those being excluded (Either due to no assigned tasks or no graded tasks) whilst being ignored, are still considered in the final percentage calculation. For example:

A class has task category weights as follows:

• Exams 40%
• Essay 30%
• Practical 20%
• Homework 10%

In Term 1, the "Homework" category, worth 10%, had 0 tasks assessed in the term. This 10% is being excluded

All other categories, toting 90%, have tasks assessed. Thus 90% is included

Thus the student's score will be taken out of 90 and converted to a term average percentage.

If you prefer for the value to be calculated out of 100, the teacher can edit the unused task category weightings to 0 (adjusting Homework to 0%) and increase the value of the valid categories to out of 100. (such as Exams to 45%, Essay 35% and Practical kept at 20%)

Do changes to categories or weightings in a class affect past results?

Yes. Any edits to task categories, weightings, or grade scales will apply to all terms in the class, both past and present.

In Summary

• Three calculation methods define how term grades are computed
• Grade scales and rubrics can be configured at multiple levels
• Class-level changes impact all associated terms

Configure ManageBac+ Gradebook settings carefully to ensure consistent reporting outcomes.