This dialog allows you to specify the way MicroGrade calculates and displays scores and final grades.

1. From the Edit menu, choose Preferences For.
2. From the Preferences For hierarchical menu, choose Grades and Scores.
3. From the Grades and Scores dialog, review the options described below, then click OK.

The sections in this dialog allow you to specify the defaults MicroGrade uses when calculating and displaying scores:

Base Final Grade on Options:

Choose from four final grading options from the Base Final Grade on hierarchical menu:

Percent Weight of Categories and Assignments:

Use this method to assign a percent value to categories and assignments. For example, suppose you want to use class categories such as tests, projects and homework to calculate an overall grade for each class. In this example, you can assign tests a value of 35%, projects 30% and homework 35%. The student's average grade for each group of assignments is multiplied by the percent value of the category type. You then add the weighted category averages together to obtain the student's overall grade for each class. Percent weights are based on 100%, but can exceed 100% to assign extra credit.

Relative Weight of Categories and Assignments

Use this method to set a relative weight value for categories and assignments. For example, suppose your class contains four categories. Each is assigned a relative weight of one. MicroGrade multiplies a student's average in each category by .25, and then adds these together to get a final grade.

Total Points of Assignments:

In this method, you divide the total points a student receives by the total points of all assignments to obtain an overall grade in the class. In this grading method, categories play no part in grade calculation. They only serve to group assignments.

Relative Weight of Assignments:

Use this method to give each assignment a weight that contributes to the overall grade in each class. For example, suppose you want to base an overall grade on five tests, ten homework assignments and a project. In this case, you would assign each a relative weight of one. MicroGrade adds a student's percent score on all assignments and then divides it by sixteen to get their overall grade. As with total points, categories play no part in grade calculation.

Scoring Options:

Use this section to determine how scores are used in grade calculations and how final scores are displayed. Click on the Grade cutoffs With 1 Decimal checkbox and scores will be cutoff and displayed to the nearest tenth (one place to the right of the decimal point). Click on the Use Rounded Percent Scores checkbox and scores will be rounded and displayed to the nearest whole number. Click on the % Scores With 1 Decimal checkbox, and percent scores will be displayed to the nearest tenth.

Score Entry Warnings:

Use this section to specify whether you want to be warned when scores have been changed.

Incomplete Options:

Use this checkbox and text box to determine how incomplete assignments are scored. If you enter a number in the Incomplete Students Get text box, incomplete assignments will receive the score specified. Incomplete scores are not considered in the calculation of grades if this box is left unchecked.

Unscored Options:

Use this section to determine how to score missing assignments. If you click the On Partly Scored Assignments checkbox, the student will receive a percentage score of the amount entered in the Unscored Students Get text box. If you click the On or After Assignment Date checkbox, students with a missing score past an assignment date will receive a percentage score of the amount in the Unscored Students Get text box.

Exclude from Statistics Options:

Use this section to exclude students with incomplete, unscored, excused and dropped assignments from statistical calculations. These statistics are displayed in the Statistics and Gradebook reports and Class Scores window (optional). Select options by clicking on the appropriate checkboxes.