Grade Calculator

Use this calculator to find out the grade of a course based on weighted averages. This calculator accepts both numerical as well as letter grades. It also can calculate the grade needed for the remaining assignments in order to get a desired grade for an ongoing course.


(optional)
Final Grade Goal
Weight of Remaining Tasks

college assignment marks

Grade Format: Points, percentage, mix Letters
Weight Format: Percentage Points
Show Final Grade Planning Options
 

Final Grade Calculator

Use this calculator to find out the grade needed on the final exam in order to get a desired grade in a course. It accepts letter grades, percentage grades, and other numerical inputs.

Related GPA Calculator

The calculators above use the following letter grades and their typical corresponding numerical equivalents based on grade points.

Letter GradeGPAPercentage
A+4.397-100%
A493-96%
A-3.790-92%
B+3.387-89%
B383-86%
B-2.780-82%
C+2.377-79%
C273-76%
C-1.770-72%
D+1.367-69%
D163-66%
D-0.760-62%
F00-59%

Brief history of different grading systems

In 1785, students at Yale were ranked based on "optimi" being the highest rank, followed by second optimi, inferiore (lower), and pejores (worse). At William and Mary, students were ranked as either No. 1, or No. 2, where No. 1 represented students that were first in their class, while No. 2 represented those who were "orderly, correct and attentive." Meanwhile at Harvard, students were graded based on a numerical system from 1-200 (except for math and philosophy where 1-100 was used). Later, shortly after 1883, Harvard used a system of "Classes" where students were either Class I, II, III, IV, or V, with V representing a failing grade. All of these examples show the subjective, arbitrary, and inconsistent nature with which different institutions graded their students, demonstrating the need for a more standardized, albeit equally arbitrary grading system.

In 1887, Mount Holyoke College became the first college to use letter grades similar to those commonly used today. The college used a grading scale with the letters A, B, C, D, and E, where E represented a failing grade. This grading system however, was far stricter than those commonly used today, with a failing grade being defined as anything below 75%. The college later re-defined their grading system, adding the letter F for a failing grade (still below 75%). This system of using a letter grading scale became increasingly popular within colleges and high schools, eventually leading to the letter grading systems typically used today. However, there is still significant variation regarding what may constitute an A, or whether a system uses plusses or minuses (i.e. A+ or B-), among other differences.

An alternative to the letter grading system

Letter grades provide an easy means to generalize a student's performance. They can be more effective than qualitative evaluations in situations where "right" or "wrong" answers can be easily quantified, such as an algebra exam, but alone may not provide a student with enough feedback in regards to an assessment like a written paper (which is much more subjective).

Although a written analysis of each individual student's work may be a more effective form of feedback, there exists the argument that students and parents are unlikely to read the feedback, and that teachers do not have the time to write such an analysis. There is precedence for this type of evaluation system however, in Saint Ann's School in New York City, an arts-oriented private school that does not have a letter grading system. Instead, teachers write anecdotal reports for each student. This method of evaluation focuses on promoting learning and improvement, rather than the pursuit of a certain letter grade in a course. For better or for worse however, these types of programs constitute a minority in the United States, and though the experience may be better for the student, most institutions still use a fairly standard letter grading system that students will have to adjust to. The time investment that this type of evaluation method requires of teachers/professors is likely not viable on university campuses with hundreds of students per course. As such, although there are other high schools such as Sanborn High School that approach grading in a more qualitative way, it remains to be seen whether such grading methods can be scalable. Until then, more generalized forms of grading like the letter grading system are unlikely to be entirely replaced. However, many educators already try to create an environment that limits the role that grades play in motivating students. One could argue that a combination of these two systems would likely be the most realistic, and effective way to provide a more standardized evaluation of students, while promoting learning.

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Center for Teaching

Grading student work.

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What Purposes Do Grades Serve?

Developing grading criteria, making grading more efficient, providing meaningful feedback to students.

  • Maintaining Grading Consistency in Multi-Sectioned Courses

Minimizing Student Complaints about Grading

Barbara Walvoord and Virginia Anderson identify the multiple roles that grades serve:

  • as an  evaluation of student work;
  • as a  means of communicating to students, parents, graduate schools, professional schools, and future employers about a student’s  performance in college and potential for further success;
  • as a  source of motivation to students for continued learning and improvement;
  • as a  means of organizing a lesson, a unit, or a semester in that grades mark transitions in a course and bring closure to it.

Additionally, grading provides students with feedback on their own learning , clarifying for them what they understand, what they don’t understand, and where they can improve. Grading also provides feedback to instructors on their students’ learning , information that can inform future teaching decisions.

Why is grading often a challenge? Because grades are used as evaluations of student work, it’s important that grades accurately reflect the quality of student work and that student work is graded fairly. Grading with accuracy and fairness can take a lot of time, which is often in short supply for college instructors. Students who aren’t satisfied with their grades can sometimes protest their grades in ways that cause headaches for instructors. Also, some instructors find that their students’ focus or even their own focus on assigning numbers to student work gets in the way of promoting actual learning.

Given all that grades do and represent, it’s no surprise that they are a source of anxiety for students and that grading is often a stressful process for instructors.

Incorporating the strategies below will not eliminate the stress of grading for instructors, but it will decrease that stress and make the process of grading seem less arbitrary — to instructors and students alike.

Source: Walvoord, B. & V. Anderson (1998).  Effective Grading: A Tool for Learning and Assessment . San Francisco : Jossey-Bass.

  • Consider the different kinds of work you’ll ask students to do for your course.  This work might include: quizzes, examinations, lab reports, essays, class participation, and oral presentations.
  • For the work that’s most significant to you and/or will carry the most weight, identify what’s most important to you.  Is it clarity? Creativity? Rigor? Thoroughness? Precision? Demonstration of knowledge? Critical inquiry?
  • Transform the characteristics you’ve identified into grading criteria for the work most significant to you, distinguishing excellent work (A-level) from very good (B-level), fair to good (C-level), poor (D-level), and unacceptable work.

Developing criteria may seem like a lot of work, but having clear criteria can

  • save time in the grading process
  • make that process more consistent and fair
  • communicate your expectations to students
  • help you to decide what and how to teach
  • help students understand how their work is graded

Sample criteria are available via the following link.

  • Analytic Rubrics from the CFT’s September 2010 Virtual Brownbag
  • Create assignments that have clear goals and criteria for assessment.  The better students understand what you’re asking them to do the more likely they’ll do it!
  • letter grades with pluses and minuses (for papers, essays, essay exams, etc.)
  • 100-point numerical scale (for exams, certain types of projects, etc.)
  • check +, check, check- (for quizzes, homework, response papers, quick reports or presentations, etc.)
  • pass-fail or credit-no-credit (for preparatory work)
  • Limit your comments or notations to those your students can use for further learning or improvement.
  • Spend more time on guiding students in the process of doing work than on grading it.
  • For each significant assignment, establish a grading schedule and stick to it.

Light Grading – Bear in mind that not every piece of student work may need your full attention. Sometimes it’s sufficient to grade student work on a simplified scale (minus / check / check-plus or even zero points / one point) to motivate them to engage in the work you want them to do. In particular, if you have students do some small assignment before class, you might not need to give them much feedback on that assignment if you’re going to discuss it in class.

Multiple-Choice Questions – These are easy to grade but can be challenging to write. Look for common student misconceptions and misunderstandings you can use to construct answer choices for your multiple-choice questions, perhaps by looking for patterns in student responses to past open-ended questions. And while multiple-choice questions are great for assessing recall of factual information, they can also work well to assess conceptual understanding and applications.

Test Corrections – Giving students points back for test corrections motivates them to learn from their mistakes, which can be critical in a course in which the material on one test is important for understanding material later in the term. Moreover, test corrections can actually save time grading, since grading the test the first time requires less feedback to students and grading the corrections often goes quickly because the student responses are mostly correct.

Spreadsheets – Many instructors use spreadsheets (e.g. Excel) to keep track of student grades. A spreadsheet program can automate most or all of the calculations you might need to perform to compute student grades. A grading spreadsheet can also reveal informative patterns in student grades. To learn a few tips and tricks for using Excel as a gradebook take a look at this sample Excel gradebook .

  • Use your comments to teach rather than to justify your grade, focusing on what you’d most like students to address in future work.
  • Link your comments and feedback to the goals for an assignment.
  • Comment primarily on patterns — representative strengths and weaknesses.
  • Avoid over-commenting or “picking apart” students’ work.
  • In your final comments, ask questions that will guide further inquiry by students rather than provide answers for them.

Maintaining Grading Consistency in Multi-sectioned Courses (for course heads)

  • Communicate your grading policies, standards, and criteria to teaching assistants, graders, and students in your course.
  • Discuss your expectations about all facets of grading (criteria, timeliness, consistency, grade disputes, etc) with your teaching assistants and graders.
  • Encourage teaching assistants and graders to share grading concerns and questions with you.
  • have teaching assistants grade assignments for students not in their section or lab to curb favoritism (N.B. this strategy puts the emphasis on the evaluative, rather than the teaching, function of grading);
  • have each section of an exam graded by only one teaching assistant or grader to ensure consistency across the board;
  • have teaching assistants and graders grade student work at the same time in the same place so they can compare their grades on certain sections and arrive at consensus.
  • Include your grading policies, procedures, and standards in your syllabus.
  • Avoid modifying your policies, including those on late work, once you’ve communicated them to students.
  • Distribute your grading criteria to students at the beginning of the term and remind them of the relevant criteria when assigning and returning work.
  • Keep in-class discussion of grades to a minimum, focusing rather on course learning goals.

For a comprehensive look at grading, see the chapter “Grading Practices” from Barbara Gross Davis’s  Tools for Teaching.

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Grade Calculator

Grade Calculator

Grade Calculator

  • Grade calculator
  • Final grade calculator
  • GPA calculator
AssessmentGrade (%)Grade (points)Grade (letter)WeightWeightMax Grade

Understanding how to calculate your current grade in a course is advantageous for planning what you need to achieve your goal’s overall course grade. The following Grade Calculator serves as an easy-to-use helpful tool to calculate your current grade of the course before the final examination.  

What is a Grade Calculator?  

A Grade Calculator is a free online tool designed to help students and educators determine academic grades based on entered scores and weights. It simplifies the process of calculating current grades, helping users navigate their academic journeys.   

The Grade Calculator helps students estimate the impact of each assignment on their course’s weighted average grade. That means the overall grade of a course depends on 2 main factors: the grade of each assignment (g) and the corresponding weight of each assignment (w).  

A Grade calculator helps you find your current average score in a course based on completed assignments up to the current point in the semester. The Final grade calculator then calculates the score you need to achieve in your remaining assignment (the final exam) to reach your desired grade of the course

How to Use a Grade Calculator?  

Using a Grade Calculator is a straightforward process that involves entering relevant information about your academic performance. To utilize this calculator, input your current percentage for each assignment, test, or exam, along with its respective weight towards your final grade. For each additional assignment, test, or exam, click on "Add Assignment." Your results will automatically update as you input each component , allowing you to track your progress throughout the course.  

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a Grade Calculator:  

Step 1: Input the Assignments.  

Users manually enter the name of each assignment, for example: Assignment 1, 2, 3, Homework, Final Exam, etc.  

Step 2: Input the grade.  

Enter their scores for each assignment, test, project, or other exam throughout the course. Each entry typically includes the earned percentage (10%, 30%, 50%, etc.), letter (A+, B-, D, etc.), or points (20, 50, 175, etc.).  

Step 3: Input the weight.  

Enter the weight of that assignment into the overall course grade. The weight indicates that different assignments may have varying impacts on the final grade. A final exam might have a higher weight than a small task.  

Step 4: Calculate the grade automatically.  

The tool then automatically calculates the cumulative grade based on the entered grades and weights. Users can see their current grade as well as how each assignment contributes to the overall grade.  

Step 5: Adjust as needed.  

Users can adjust grades or weights to see how changes impact the overall course performance. This dynamic feature allows for real-time exploration of different scenarios, helping users make informed decisions about their academic strategy and goal achievement.  

Weighted Grade Calculation: Formula and Example  

The calculation of a weighted grade involves summing the products of the weights (w) and the corresponding grades (g).  

Weighted Grade = (w₁ × g₁ + w₂ × g₂ + w₃ × g₃ + …) / (g₁ + g₂ + g₃ +...)  

Example 1: Grade type: Percentage  

Determine the weighted grade of a course, in which:  

  • Assignment with a grade (percentage) of 80 and a weight of 30.  
  • Homework with a grade (percentage) of 90 and a weight of 20.  
  • Final exam with a grade (percentage) of 72 and a weight of 50.  

The weighted average grade is determined by the formula:  

Weighted Grade = (w₁ × g₁ + w₂ × g₂ + w₃ × g₃ + …) / (w₁ + w₂ + w₃+...)  

Substituting the values:  

Weighted Grade = (30 × 80 + 20 × 90 + 50 × 72) / (30 + 20 + 50) = 78  

Example 2: Grade type: Letter  

  • Assignment 1 with a grade (letter) of A+ and a weight of 20.  
  • Assignment 2 with a grade (letter) of B and a weight of 20.  
  • Final exam with a grade (letter) of C- and a weight of 60.  

The weighted average grade of the course is calculated by the formula:

Weighted Grade = (w₁ × g₁ + w₂ × g₂ + w₃ × g₃ + …) / (w₁ + w₂ + w₃ +...)  

Weighted Grade = (20 × 4.33 + 20 × 3.00 + 60 × 1.67) / (20 + 20 + 60) = 2.64   

The table below shows how your letter grades convert to a numeric grade (4.0 scale) and percentage grade (% scale):  

 

 

 

A+ 

4.33 - above 

97 - above 

A 

4.00 - 4.32 

93 - 96,99 

A- 

3.67 - 3.99 

90 - 92,99 

B+ 

3.33 - 3.66 

87 - 89,99 

B 

3.00 - 3.32 

83 - 87,99 

B- 

2.67 - 2.99 

80 - 82,99 

C+ 

2.33 - 2.66 

77 - 79,99 

C 

2.00 - 2.32 

73 - 76,99 

C- 

1.67 - 1.99 

70 - 72,99 

D+ 

1.33 - 1.66 

67 - 69,99 

D 

1.00 - 1.32 

63 - 66,99 

D- 

0.67 - 0.99 

60 - 62,99 

F 

0.00 - 0.66 

0 - 59,99 

Example 3: Grade type: Point  

Consider the following case:  

  • For Assignment 1, the grade is 60 out of 80.  
  • For Assignment 2, the grade is 30 out of 50.  
  • For Homework, the grade is 120 out of 120.  
  • For the Final exam, the grade is 60 out of 100.  

The formula to calculate the weighted average grade is:  

Weighted Grade = sum of real grade / sum of maximum grade  

Weighted Grade = (60 + 30 + 120 + 60) / (80 + 50 + 120 + 100) = 77.14  

Important Role of the Grade Calculator in Academic Path  

The Grade Calculator functions as a flexible tool that aids both educators and students, fostering efficiency and transparency. Knowing the average grade is essential for strategic decision-making in scenarios and setting achievable academic goals.  

Scenario Planning:  

Some Grade Calculators allow users to experiment with different scenarios. For instance, students can input hypothetical scores for future assignments or exams to see how they would impact their final grade. This helps in understanding how adjustments to upcoming assessments may impact the overall class performance.  

Teachers can use a Grade Calculator to streamline the grading process. By inputting scores and weights, the tool can quickly calculate overall grades, saving time and ensuring accuracy.  

Goal Setting:    

Users can set grade goals and determine the scores needed on upcoming assessments to achieve those goals. This application is particularly helpful for students who aim for a specific final course grade. Goal-setting helps students set realistic academic goals and understand the scores needed to achieve them. Knowing their current grade and having the ability to plan for future assessments can reduce stress for students.  

The Grade calculator provides the average score for a specific course. Students can use this result to calculate their GPA, which represents the average score across all their courses. In essence, the output from the Grade calculator acts as the input for the GPA calculator.

3 Outstanding Features of Grade Calculator  

Using our Grade Calculator is simple and straightforward, even if you are a first-time user. The Grade Calculator is crafted with the user in mind, offering many noticeable benefits:  

Customizable by Adding or Subtracting Assignments  

Recognizing the diversity of grading systems in different educational institutions, the tool offers customization options. Users have the flexibility to tailor the tool to their specific needs. For example, users can add as many assignments as they want, and adjust the weight to align with their school's unique grading system.  

Compatible with Multiple Devices  

The tool is accessible across various platforms to accommodate different user preferences and device types. It is available as both a web application and a mobile app. Users can access it conveniently from desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.  

Easy-to-Understand and Easy-to-Use Interface  

The user interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, prioritizing ease of use. Input fields are labeled logically, ensuring users can easily understand and input the required information. The overall design focuses on simplicity enhancing the overall user experience.  

To sum up, the Grade Calculator is considered a trusted tool for students and educators alike on their academic journeys. Its friendly interface and accurate calculations make it a valuable companion, helping everyone calculate the grade of the course effectively.  

Grade Calculator - FAQs  

What grade do i need to pass a college class  .

The grade needed to pass a college class varies depending on the grading system used by the schools, colleges, and academic institutions . In many cases, a passing grade is a D or higher, which is usually equivalent to a numerical grade of 60% or more. However, some programs or courses may require a higher minimum passing grade, so it's important to check your college's policies.  

How do you calculate the percentage grade?  

To calculate a percentage grade, you divide the points earned by the total points possible and then multiply by 100. For example, if you earned 85 points out of a possible 100, your percentage grade would be: (85/100) * 100 = 85%.  

How much will a 0 affect my grade?  

A zero can significantly impact your grade, especially if it's for a major assignment or test. Since a zero has a large weight in the calculation of your average score, it can pull down your overall grade significantly.  

How much will a 71 affect my grade?  

The impact of a 71 on your grade depends on several factors, such as the weight of the assignment or test in the overall course grade and the grading scale used by your instructor. If the 71 is for a major assignment or test and carries a significant weight in the course, it could have a noticeable effect on your overall grade, potentially lowering it. However, if the assignment is one of many and has a lower weight in the course, its impact may be less significant.

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  • Grade Calculators

Final Grade Calculator

Final Grade Calculator

Enter Final Info

My final exam is worth:

I want (at least) this in the class:

Enter Class Grades

Calculator Instructions

  • In the top part of the form, enter how much your final exam is worth and the grade that you would like to get in the class. For example, your final test might be worth 20% of your overall grade and you want to get at least a 93% in the class. You would enter these numbers into the form.
  • In the bottom half of the form, enter a description (optional) of the classwork, the grade received for that classwork, and the weight of the classwork. Most class grades are made up of several components such as homework assignments, tests, exams, quizzes, class participation, attendance, etc. For example, a class exam might be worth 10% of your grade and you received a 95% on the test. You would enter those values into the form.
  • If you need more than four rows, press the "Add Row" button to add an additional line. You can add as many rows as you need.
  • Once you have finished entering your grades, press the "Calculate" button and the grade you need on the final exam will be displayed.

Final Grade Formula

final grade = ((g wanted x w total ) - gw) / w final

w total = w 1 + w 2 + w 3 + ... + w final

w 1 = weight of assignment #1

w final = weight of final exam

gw = g 1 x w 1 + g 2 x w 2 + g 3 x w 3 + ...

g 1 = grade for assignment #1

g wanted = grade wanted in the class

Example Calculation

Let's say your class has the following grading plan.

Assignments Weight
Project #1 10%
Project #2 10%
Quiz #1 20%
Quiz #2 20%
Mid-Term Test 20%
Final Exam 20%

Now let's assume you received the following grades on your classwork.

Assignments Grade Received
Project #1 91%
Project #2 85%
Quiz #1 75%
Quiz #2 95%
Mid-Term Test 97%
Final Exam Not Yet Taken

Finally, let's assume that you want to get a 90% in the class. To determine what you need to get on your final exam in order to get a 90% in the class, let's do some math using the formula above.

First add the weight of all the class assignments together including your final:

w total = 10% + 10% + 20% + 20% + 20% = 100%

Next, multiple the grade you received on each assignment by the weight of the assignment.

gw = (91% x 10%) + (85% x 10%) + (75% x 20%) + (95% x 20%) + (97% x 20%) = 7100%

Now, calculate what you need on the final exam:

final exam grade = ((90% x 100%) - 7100%) / 20% = 95%

This is how you manually calculate your final grade. Of course, you can make your life a little easier using the calculator above!

What if my class grade is based on points rather than percentages?

Let's assume you have the following class syllabus that is based on points.

Assignments Possible Points
Project 100
Homework #1 100
Homework #2 150
Quiz 200
Mid-Term Test 200
Final Exam 250

Let's assume you received the following grades.

Assignments Points Earned
Project 91 out 100
Homework #1 85 out of 100
Homework #2 120 out of 150
Quiz 180 out of 200
Mid-Term Test 190 out of 200
Final Exam Not Yet Taken

To enter these grades in the calculator above, you first need to calculate your grade percentage for each assignment using the following formula:

grade percentage = points earned / possible points x 100

So taking your mid-term test grade as an example, we get the following:

mid-term test = 190 points earned / 200 possible points x 100 = 95%

In the weight column of the calculator, you would enter the possible points for each assignment.

Assuming you wanted to get at least a 90% in the class and your final exam is worth 250 points (i.e.the weight), you would enter the following information into the calculator.

Classwork Grade Weight
Project 91% 100
Homework #1 85% 100
Homework #2 80% 150
Quiz 90% 200
Mid-Term Test 95% 200

In this example, you would need to get a 93.6% on your final in order to get a 90% in the class.

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The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Understanding Assignments

What this handout is about.

The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.

Basic beginnings

Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :

  • Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
  • Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.

Assignment formats

Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.

An Overview of Some Kind

The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:

“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”

The Task of the Assignment

Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)

“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”

Additional Material to Think about

Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.

“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”

These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:

“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”

Technical Details

These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.

“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”

The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.

Interpreting the assignment

Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:

Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?

Who is your audience.

  • What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?

What kind of writing style is acceptable?

  • What are the absolute rules of the paper?

Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.

Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that they will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .

Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.

Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs

Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:

Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

  • define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
  • describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
  • explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
  • illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
  • summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
  • trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
  • research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found

Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

  • compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
  • contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
  • apply —use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
  • cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
  • relate —show or describe the connections between things

Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.

  • assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
  • prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
  • evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
  • support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
  • synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
  • analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
  • argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side

More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:

  • What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
  • In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove their point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
  • What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
  • How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.

Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, they still have to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.

Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.

  • Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
  • The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and they already know everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.

You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .

The Grim Truth

With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”

So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”

Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .

What kind of evidence do you need?

There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.

Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.

Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality they expect.

No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .

Technical details about the assignment

The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.

Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.

Tricks that don’t work

Your instructors are not fooled when you:

  • spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
  • use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
  • use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
  • get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.

Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Our Grade Calculator can help you determine what you need to get on your final exam to achieve the final grade you would like for a given course.

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 No.Score / Out OfGrade (%)Weight (%)
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Important Notes

You can use our grade calculator to calculate the final exam grade you will need to achieve the overall course grade you desire. Our calculator requires you to enter the current percentage grade you have currently obtained for that course together with the weight of the final exam as a percentage value. However, if you do not know what your current grade is, for the question "Do you know your Current Grade?" select the answer "no." Enter the grades you have received for all of your assignments, homework, test, labs, and anything else that contributes to your final grade, as well as the weight of each grade. Our grade calculator will automatically calculate not only your current grade but the grade you need to achieve on your final exam to achieve the overall course grade you desire. In addition, both the minimum and maximum course overall grades will be provided.

Inputting Data in our Grade Calculator

When entering your current grade and the weight of your final exam, our calculator will assume that your current grade has been based on the weight of the course prior to your final exam and calculates it as the input weight subtracted from 100%. If your current grade hasn't taken your coursework into account, the generated results will not be accurate.

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Exploring edtech and cognitive psychology.

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  • Study: No Single Solution Helps All Students Complete MOOCs

How to Ace Your College Assignments

College can be tough. You’re juggling classes, homework, a social life, and maybe a job on the side. It’s no wonder that sometimes your college assignments don’t get the attention they deserve. But did you know that there are tricks to acing your college assignments? Here are some tips and strategies that will help you get better grades in school!

For many students, college is a big learning curve. It’s a time in your life that involves a lot of change and getting used to many new things. When it comes to college assignments, many students find that things work differently from when they were in high school. The format and types of assessments are different, the criteria for passing can feel unfamiliar, and of course, the level of learning is a step up from high school too.

But getting good grades has a direct impact on your success at college, so it’s important to do as well as you can. So what can you do to get to grips with college assignments so you ace them? Here are some tips.

Read The Instructions

Start by reading the assignment instructions carefully. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to make sure you understand what the task is and what your lecturer or professor is looking for. If you’re unsure about anything, ask for clarification from your instructor. They are there to help you, so you should never feel unsure about going to ask for clarification, or for a little extra direction. You could even ask them what they’re looking for in order to give good grades. For example, is it more about research, or a good writing style? Any tips you can glean from the people marking your assignments will help.

Use Past Papers And Study Materials

When you have a better understanding of what’s required, it can be helpful to use past papers and college study materials to give yourself an idea of the sort of thing that might be expected. Study materials can also give you an idea of the level of detail required and the standard expected by your college. If you’re not sure where to find these things, ask your instructor or librarian for help. Getting hold of some of these past materials will help to give you a framework for your learning, understand the types of assignments your college sets, and what success looks like to them.

Create A Plan And Work Schedule

Once you have a good understanding of the task at hand and what’s expected of you, it’s time to create a plan. This should be a detailed document that outlines everything you need to do in order to complete the assignment to a high standard. Your plan should include a timeline and deadlines for each task, as well as what resources you’ll need and any other information that will help you to complete the assignment.

Work In Short Bursts

One of the best pieces of advice for college students is to work in short bursts . This means setting a timer for a certain amount of time and working on the task at hand for that amount of time, before taking a break. This method is often recommended for students because it’s a more effective way of working than trying to power through for hours on end. It’s also a lot easier to stay focused when you’re working in short bursts. When you take a break, make sure you get up and move around, have a snack, or do something to take your mind off of your work so you can come back refreshed and ready to focus again.

Take Regular Breaks

It’s important to take regular breaks when you’re working on an assignment. This will help to keep you from getting too bogged down in the task and will allow you to come back to it with fresh eyes. When you’re taking a break, make sure you get up and move around, have a snack, or do something to take your mind off of your work so you can come back refreshed and ready to focus again.

Set A Deadline For Yourself

As well as any deadlines set by your instructor, it can be helpful to set a deadline for yourself. This should be a date or time by which you will have completed the assignment. Having a personal deadline will help to keep you on track and motivated to get the work done.

Don’t Leave It To The Last Minute

One of the worst things you can do is leave your college assignment to the last minute. This will only lead to stress and will likely result in a rushed and poorly done piece of work. If you start the assignment early, you’ll have more time to do it properly and you’ll be less likely to make mistakes. It will also give you time to deal with any unexpected circumstances, such as some additional research you decide you need to do, or dealing with a cold that leaves you feeling under the weather for a few days.

Start With The Easy Stuff

When you’re starting an assignment, it can be helpful to start with the easy stuff. This will help to get you into the flow of working on the task and will give you a sense of accomplishment. Once you’ve completed the easy stuff, you can move on to the more challenging tasks. This will help you to stay focused and motivated, and will make the whole process less daunting.

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Subject/ExamObtained MarksGrade
Overall Grade:

Empower Your Academic Journey with Our Grade Calculator

Achieving academic success requires careful monitoring of your grades and planning for your educational future. Grade Calculator is a vital tool designed to simplify the process of calculating grades and making informed decisions about your academic path.

How Does Our Grade Calculator Work?

Our Grade Calculator is user-friendly and efficient. Simply input your assignment or test scores, along with their respective weights or percentages, and our tool instantly computes your overall grade. Whether you’re a high school student striving for a scholarship or a college student aiming for excellence, our calculator provides clarity on your academic performance.

Key Features:

  • Precision : Our AI Based Calculator ensures accurate grade calculations, enabling you to understand your academic progress better.
  • Goal Setting : Set grade goals and track your progress toward achieving them. Plan your study strategies accordingly.
  • Versatility : Whether you’re calculating grades for individual assignments or planning future assignments’ impact on your overall grade, our calculator can handle various scenarios.
  • Informed Choices : Use the tool to experiment with different scores to see how they may affect your final grade.

Why Choose Our Grade Calculator?

This Calculator is a valuable resource for students of all levels. It simplifies the often complex process of calculating grades, allowing you to make informed decisions about your educational path. Whether you’re aiming for honors, managing your scholarship requirements, or simply staying on top of your coursework, our tool empowers you with the insights you need.

Navigate Your Academic Path with Confidence

Education is a journey, and our AI based Calculator ensures you navigate it effectively. Take control of your academic future today by trying this Calculator. Start using our Grade Calculator now and embark on a path to academic success.

Use this calculator to determine your Exam grades and overall grade based on obtained marks. Follow these steps:

  • Enter the subject/exam name in the first column.
  • Enter the obtained marks in the second column. The maximum marks for each subject are assumed to be 100.
  • The “ Grade ” column will automatically show the calculated grade based on your obtained marks.

You can add or delete rows to include marks for multiple subjects (up to 10 subjects).

The “Overall Grade” will be calculated based on the average percentage obtained from all subjects. This will provide you with an overall letter grade according to the following grade chart:

Grade Calculator

Please note that the “Overall Grade” is calculated based on the average percentage of all obtained marks. It provides you with an overall letter grade representation.

Feel free to use this AI driven calculator to estimate your grades and get an idea of your academic performance!

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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made in building our calculator tools, we are not to be held liable for any damages or monetary losses arising out of or in connection with their use. Full disclaimer .

Calculate your uni grade

Our university grade calculator takes a percentage mark for each of your university courses (assignments or modules) or academic years, together with the percentage or credit weighting, and returns a weighted average for the parts you have completed so far.

How do I calculate my weighted university grade?

In order to work out your weighted average grade for your university year, module, or assignment, we take the marks (or grades) multiplied by their respective weights, sum them together, and then divide the total by the sum of the weights. An example is shown below, and the calculation is shown at the bottom of the results.

Example calculation

Student A is studying a degree in Computer Science and has undertaken three modules so far. They want to calculate their average weighted grade for the three modules.

MarkWeightModule
66%20 creditsData Analysis
55%10 creditsDatabases
71%10 creditsExperimental Design

Student A's average mark is therefore calculated at 64.5%.

Unweighted calculations

If you wish to carry out an unweighted calculation, simply leave all the weight boxes blank, or make them equal. If you want to work out the mark you require on your final exam, you can use our final grade calculator tool .

What mark do I need from the rest of my course?

Our calculator can help you work out the average mark you need from the remainder of your course, in order to achieve a target percentage, so that you can see whether you're on track to achieve the grade you want.

If you have any problems using our university grade calculator, please contact us .

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8 Important Assignment Writing Steps Every Student Should Know

Writing a college assignment or essay is not always an easy feat, especially if it’s your first time. The good news is that you don’t have to procrastinate or waste your time staring at a blank page! 

We’ve prepared this straightforward guide to help you write high-quality assignments and score good grades in no time .

1. Check Assignment Deadline and Create a Plan

Some students rush to complete assignments a few hours before the deadline. In most cases, rushed work results in low-quality assignments and low grades. You can avoid the last-minute hassle by checking your assignment deadlines and creating a schedule for completing the work early. 

Once you know the deadlines, evaluate the steps you’ll need to take to complete the assignment, for instance:

  • Analysing the assignment
  • Researching the topic
  • Outlining your main ideas 
  • Writing the first draft
  • Editing and proofreading your work

You can then add deadlines to each step of the assignment. Breaking the writing process into manageable chunks makes it easier to complete the workload, even if you don’t have a lot of time in a day to devote to essay or assignment writing.

2. Analyse the Assignment or Essay

Before you research or write anything, make sure you fully understand what is required for the assignment. It will help you avoid the pain and struggle of rewriting later if you discover that you didn’t understand the requirements. 

Read the assignment instructions and identify the following:

  • Assignment type—Determine the type of assignment you have, e.g., an essay, presentation, thesis, case study, literature review, or a report (because it will determine how to best approach it)
  • Instructions—Check any instruction words, like evaluate, describe, summarise, discuss, argue, and analyse. Go out of your way to explore what the instruction word means or requires you to do
  • The topic—Look for topic words to identify what your assignment is all about. What do you need to evaluate, discuss, or analyse? It’s as simple as taking the instruction word and adding “what” to it. For instance, discuss what? 
  • Limiting words—Identify the words that narrow down what you need to focus on. It could be anything from a place to a particular time

If you are unsure about anything, you can reach out to your lecturer or get assignment help from expert tutors . Doing a good analysis of your assignment topic will guide your research and help you answer the assignment question thoroughly. 

From your analysis, you can then create a checklist that you can use to ensure you complete your assignment successfully. 

If you are provided with an assessment checklist, go through it to understand what your professor will be looking for when awarding you marks for the essay or assignment. It will help you create a checklist to focus on to get the maximum possible scores.

3. Perform Research

Once you know what the assignment requires of you, it’s time to do research. It’s an important step to collect relevant and reliable information for writing an excellent assignment. 

Start by identifying your sources. The type of information—definitions, statistics, examples, research studies, and visuals—you are looking for will hugely determine where you look. It’s a good idea to use all the available sources of information, which includes:

  • Course materials and recommended reading lists. These sources can have crucial information and can also direct you to other reliable sources like books, websites, or articles
  • Your school’s library resources like e-books, print books, etc.
  • Online sources like journals, research papers, and credible websites
  • Sample assignments from your school’s website or learning management system (LMS)
  • Lecture recordings 
  • Local public library resources

When conducting your search online, you can use Google Scholar to find peer-reviewed papers. Use the keyword from your task and try searching using related terms that describe your topic. Keep searching until you have found credible sources for all your major points, exhausted all new ideas for your case, or run out of time allotted to research. 

Ensure that you keep a list of every reliable and relevant information source or research paper you come across. The list will come in handy when it’s time to cite your sources or to double-check some details during the writing process. 

4. Plan Your Assignment Structure

Ever spent time staring at a blank page, wondering what to write next? You can make the process of writing an assignment easier by carefully planning and outlining the structure of your assignment. A basic assignment structure will help you answer the assignment task correctly and concentrate on the sections with the most marks. Generally, most long-form assignments or essays contain:

  • An introduction
  • Thesis statement
  • Body or key arguments 
  • Conclusion 

The main body is usually the section that requires the most work. The easiest way to organise your key arguments in the body section is to check the logical flow and connections between the ideas. You can use sticky notes or programs like OneNote and Outline to arrange and reorganise your ideas as you find connections between them. 

5. Write the First Draft in Your Own Words

Before you start writing, make sure you are in a conducive environment for studying. Minimise distractions and do anything that will help you concentrate, like playing background study music. 

The first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. Just put down all the valuable information in your own words while following your assignment structure. Don’t worry about the wording, grammar, or anything at this point. Here are a few things to keep in mind when writing the different sections: 

  • Introduction—Write a paragraph introducing your key points and briefly explaining how you answer the question. Include the thesis statement at the end of your introduction. It’s the one sentence that states the key argument of your essay
  • Body—Organise your key arguments or ideas using headings, subheadings, and paragraphs. The goal is to answer the assignment question. Use the statistics, examples, facts, quotations, and data you collected during your research to support each idea you present in the body paragraphs
  • Conclusion—Summarise your argument and recap all the major points in your assignment in a way that leaves a lasting impression. Do not introduce any new ideas here

Don’t feel the pressure to write all the sections in one sitting. Take breaks when you need to. You can work in cycles using the Pomodoro technique . For instance, set a timer to write for 25 minutes and take a 5-15 minutes break.

6. Cite Your Sources

Most writing assignments require you to cite and reference your sources. Start by checking the citation guidelines in your course materials to ensure you use the correct referencing style and include all the necessary information. You could be required to use different referencing styles such as APA , MLA , Harvard , Vancouver , Chicago , etc.

You can also use referencing management software, such as Zotero or Mendeley . Such software allows you to save time that you would otherwise use to search and format your references. However, it’s still good to work with the various citation styles. 

7. Revise and Edit Your Work

It’s not easy to do all the assignment writing in one sitting—planning, researching, drafting, editing, and proofreading. If you have followed your schedule, you should have some time left before the deadline. Step back from the first draft for a day or two. When you return to read the assignment draft, you’ll do it objectively, identify gaps, and spot mistakes or issues quickly. 

As you read through your assignment, look at your checklist to ensure that you:

  • Have answered the assignment question or task clearly and exhaustively
  • Remove any text that doesn’t add to the overall argument. It can be painful to remove some text if you have struggled to reach a word count, but fluffy text won’t help you get better marks
  • Have a logically arranged and well flowing argument
  • Fine-tune your wording. The language you need to use in academic assignments is formal and technical. You can use SkELL or the Writefull app to identify the words that are most relevant to your topic
  • Have included all the parts listed in your assignment structure, i.e., the title page, contents page, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference list
  • Have acknowledged all your sources

8. Proofread and Check for Accuracy

Proofreading is a must for any academic paper that you write. It’s the step to check all the mistakes you may have overlooked before submitting your work. Verify links, reference list, quotations, spelling, target word count, punctuation, page numbers, the date on pages, your name, and citations. Minor mistakes like typos, punctuation, and grammar issues can give you a bad impression. 

You can use the Microsoft Word spell checker tool or run a proofreading tool like Grammarly to spot mistakes in grammar and punctuation. Grammarly can also help you find out if you have any plagiarism issues. Remember that no tool is 100% right, so use your judgment when implementing suggestions! 

Final Thoughts 

Building assignment writing skills takes time and practice. Implement the helpful assignment tips you have learned in this guide to build key skills—like analysing and structuring your assignment—to enhance your ability to write an excellent assignment consistently. Following these steps early on can help set you up for the long run, build-essential assignment writing habits, and help you develop solid study skills . 

If you get stuck while working on your assignment, your timely help is only a few clicks away. Zookal Study , our online study app, will provide the guidance you need to write quality assignments and achieve high scores. Our expert tutors are always available to respond to your questions in a matter of minutes. The best part is that you can try our homework help services right now !

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The Best College Essay Length: How Long Should It Be?

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College Essays

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Figuring out your college essay can be one of the most difficult parts of applying to college. Even once you've read the prompt and picked a topic, you might wonder: if you write too much or too little, will you blow your chance of admission? How long should a college essay be?

Whether you're a terse writer or a loquacious one, we can advise you on college essay length. In this guide, we'll cover what the standard college essay length is, how much word limits matter, and what to do if you aren't sure how long a specific essay should be.

How Long Is a College Essay? First, Check the Word Limit

You might be used to turning in your writing assignments on a page-limit basis (for example, a 10-page paper). While some colleges provide page limits for their college essays, most use a word limit instead. This makes sure there's a standard length for all the essays that a college receives, regardless of formatting or font.

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

College essay prompts usually provide the word limit right in the prompt or in the instructions.

For example, the University of Illinois says :

"You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program , and if you've selected a second choice . Each response should be approximately 150 words."

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words. Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all!

body-scale-cc0

Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

How Flexible Is the Word Limit?

But how flexible is the word limit? What if your poignant anecdote is just 10 words too long—or 100 too short?

Can I Go Over the Word Limit?

If you are attaching a document and you need one or two extra words, you can probably get away with exceeding the word limit by such a small amount. Some colleges will actually tell you that exceeding the word limit by 1-2 words is fine. However, I advise against exceeding the word limit unless it's explicitly allowed for a few reasons:

First, you might not be able to. If you have to copy-paste it into a text box, your essay might get cut off and you'll have to trim it down anyway.

If you exceed the word limit in a noticeable way, the admissions counselor may just stop reading your essay past that point. This is not good for you.

Following directions is actually a very important part of the college application process. You need to follow directions to get your letters of recommendation, upload your essays, send supplemental materials, get your test scores sent, and so on and so forth. So it's just a good general rule to follow whatever instructions you've been given by the institution. Better safe than sorry!

Can I Go Under the Word Limit?

If you can truly get your point across well beneath the word limit, it's probably fine. Brevity is not necessarily a bad thing in writing just so long as you are clear, cogent, and communicate what you want to.

However, most college essays have pretty tight word limits anyways. So if you're writing 300 words for an essay with a 500-word limit, ask yourself: is there anything more you could say to elaborate on or support your points? Consult with a parent, friend, or teacher on where you could elaborate with more detail or expand your points.

Also, if the college gives you a word range, you absolutely need to at least hit the bottom end of the range. So if you get a range from the institution, like 400-500 words, you need to write at least 400 words. If you write less, it will come across like you have nothing to say, which is not an impression you want to give.

body-writing-computer-orange-write

What If There Is No Word Limit?

Some colleges don't give you a word limit for one or more of your essay prompts. This can be a little stressful, but the prompts generally fall into a few categories:

Writing Sample

Some colleges don't provide a hard-and-fast word limit because they want a writing sample from one of your classes. In this case, a word limit would be very limiting to you in terms of which assignments you could select from.

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :

"Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay."

While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B , Amherst clarifies, "There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit. Typically, we anticipate a paper of 4-5 pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Somewhat longer papers can also be submitted, but in most cases should not exceed 8-10 pages."

So even though there's no word limit, they'd like somewhere in the 4-10 pages range. High school students are not usually writing papers that are longer than 10 pages anyways, so that isn't very limiting.

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Implicit Length Guideline

Sometimes, while there's no word (or even page) limit, there's still an implicit length guideline. What do I mean by this?

See, for example, this Western Washington University prompt :

“Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?”

While there’s no page or word limit listed here, further down on page the ‘essay tips’ section explains that “ most essay responses are about 500 words, ” though “this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit.” This gives you an idea of what’s reasonable. A little longer or shorter than 500 words would be appropriate here. That’s what I mean by an “implicit” word limit—there is a reasonable length you could go to within the boundaries of the prompt.

body-coffee-cc0

But what's the proper coffee-to-paragraph ratio?

Treasure Hunt

There is also the classic "treasure hunt" prompt. No, it's not a prompt about a treasure hunt. It's a prompt where there are no length guidelines given, but if you hunt around on the rest of the website you can find length guidelines.

For example, the University of Chicago provides seven "Extended Essay" prompts . You must write an essay in response to one prompt of your choosing, but nowhere on the page is there any guidance about word count or page limit.

However, many colleges provide additional details about their expectations for application materials, including essays, on FAQ pages, which is true of the University of Chicago. On the school’s admissions Frequently Asked Questions page , they provide the following length guidelines for the supplemental essays: 

“We suggest that you note any word limits for Coalition or Common Application essays; however, there are no strict word limits on the UChicago Supplement essays. For the extended essay (where you choose one of several prompts), we suggest that you aim for around 650 words. While we won't, as a rule, stop reading after 650 words, we're only human and cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention indefinitely. For the “Why UChicago?” essay, we suggest about 250-500 words. The ideas in your writing matter more than the exact number of words you use!”

So there you go! You want to be (loosely) in the realm of 650 for the extended essay, and 250-500 words for the “Why UChicago?” essay.

Help! There Really Is No Guidance on Length

If you really can't find any length guidelines anywhere on the admissions website and you're at a loss, I advise calling the admissions office. They may not be able to give you an exact number (in fact, they probably won't), but they will probably at least be able to tell you how long most of the essays they see are. (And keep you from writing a panicked, 20-page dissertation about your relationship with your dog).

In general, 500 words or so is pretty safe for a college essay. It's a fairly standard word limit length, in fact. (And if you're wondering, that's about a page and a half double-spaced.) 500 words is long enough to develop a basic idea while still getting a point across quickly—important when admissions counselors have thousands of essays to read!

guy-with-magnifying-glass

"See? It says 500 words right there in tiny font!"

The Final Word: How Long Should a College Essay Be?

The best college essay length is usually pretty straightforward: you want to be right under or at the provided word limit. If you go substantially past the word limit, you risk having your essay cut off by an online application form or having the admissions officer just not finish it. And if you're too far under the word limit, you may not be elaborating enough.

What if there is no word limit? Then how long should a college essay be? In general, around 500 words is a pretty safe approximate word amount for a college essay—it's one of the most common word limits, after all!

Here's guidance for special cases and hunting down word limits:

If it's a writing sample of your graded academic work, the length either doesn't matter or there should be some loose page guidelines.

There also may be implicit length guidelines. For example, if a prompt says to write three paragraphs, you'll know that writing six sentences is definitely too short, and two single-spaced pages is definitely too long.

You might not be able to find length guidelines in the prompt, but you could still hunt them up elsewhere on the website. Try checking FAQs or googling your chosen school name with "admissions essay word limit."

If there really is no word limit, you can call the school to try to get some guidance.

With this advice, you can be sure you've got the right college essay length on lockdown!

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Hey, writing about yourself can even be fun!

What's Next?

Need to ask a teacher or friend for help with your essay? See our do's and dont's to getting college essay advice .

If you're lacking in essay inspiration, see our guide to brainstorming college essay ideas . And here's our guide to starting out your essay perfectly!

Looking for college essay examples? See 11 places to find college essay examples and 145 essay examples with analysis !

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

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Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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How to Get Higher Marks in Exams

Last Updated: April 16, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ted Dorsey, MA . Ted Dorsey is a Test Prep Tutor, author, and founder of Tutor Ted, an SAT and ACT tutoring service based in Southern California. Ted earned a perfect score on the SAT (1600) and PSAT (240) in high school. Since then, he has earned perfect scores on the ACT (36), SAT Subject Test in Literature (800), and SAT Subject Test in Math Level 2 (800). He has a BA in English from Princeton University and a MA in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,808,356 times.

Have you got an important test coming up that you really want to ace? Do you generally want to improve your grades and marks? There are a number of tricks and practices which can significantly improve your chances of scoring high on a test. This article will help you in studying , analyzing, and solving exam questions, so read on!

Absorbing Knowledge Efficiently

Step 1 Pay attention in...

  • Mnemonics are phrases which can help you remember the order of certain things. For example, "Katy Perry Came Over For Great Songs" is a great way to remember the biological classifications (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species).
  • Another memory trick is if you have to remember a string of numbers. Instead of trying to remember 2537610925, for example, break it up like a phone number: 253-761-0925. You can break up dates this way too. 14 Oct 1066 (the Battle of Hastings) can become a locker combination: 14-10-66.

Ted Coopersmith, MBA

Studying Like a Pro

Step 1 Study frequently.

  • Take study breaks . When you study, make sure you take a 5–10-minute break after every 30 minutes of study. This will help keep your brain from getting overloaded and give it more time to absorb the information. [13] X Research source [14] X Research source
  • On study breaks, try not to fill your brain with more information, even if that information is more about your favourite celebrity's latest concert rather than Winston Churchill's foreign policy.

Step 2 Study according to a learning style that fits the subject.

  • Learning styles, as conventionally understood, are somewhat controversial. Many academic studies suggest that learners develop subjective preferences for studying material, but these styles don't necessarily mean they learn better through these styles. [16] X Research source
  • Nevertheless, the idea of learning styles still persists even in academic circles. [17] X Research source If a subjective preference for a certain learning style helps motivate you to study, you can still try it.

Step 3 Take advantage of sense memory.

Preparing Your Body

Step 1 Eat right...

  • Eating healthy will generally boost brain performance too, so make sure you're always eating a healthy diet to help you learn all through school.

Step 2 Sleep well...

Acing the Test

Step 1 Write important things down first.

  • As mentioned above, this is where eliminating wrong answers will come in handy.

Step 6 Pace yourself.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

1 - Study For Exams

Expert Q&A

Ted Coopersmith, MBA

  • Try not to worry about bad marks on previous exams. Instead, take a deep breath whenever you think about it, be optimistic and study well for upcoming exams. Focus on the future instead of the past. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
  • Make notes while studying. Write a synopsis for your subject if you are studying it for the first time. This will help you in the future examinations by allowing you to remember the contents of your subjects. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Make a list of all the things you need to do to study for each subject, and how long you think it will take you. Use this information to make up a study timetable, organizing it so that a harder subject takes more space than an easier subject. Be certain that you have given yourself all the time you think you need, plus a little extra per subject. Also make sure your study plan has enough free space in it so you can shuffle around your plan if something unexpected comes up one day. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

  • Write down the information the teacher provides about an upcoming exam. This can help you know what to expect on the day of the exam, and what to study.
  • Try using different-colored highlighters to mark key points in your notes, since this may help you to remember them.
  • Start preparing for an exam as soon as the teacher announces it, so you'll have enough time to review everything.
  • Before answering a test question, read it carefully to make sure you understand what is being asked.

college assignment marks

  • Do not be overconfident. If you are, then your grades will slip. For example, you get 95/100 on your math exam, and if you think you don't need to study, your second exam you will get 80/100. Thanks Helpful 178 Not Helpful 5
  • Never try to cheat. You are very likely to get caught, which would result in a zero. Be confident . Believe in yourself. If you have the attitude to do well, then you will! Thanks Helpful 408 Not Helpful 45

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Do Well in Tests and Exams

  • ↑ https://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec92/vol50/num04/What-Brain-Research-Says-About-Paying-Attention.aspx
  • ↑ Ted Dorsey, MA. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 11 December 2019.
  • ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/
  • ↑ https://www.umassd.edu/dss/resources/students/classroom-strategies/how-to-get-good-grades/
  • ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/memory-and-mnemonic-devices/
  • ↑ Ted Coopersmith, MBA. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.
  • ↑ https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/educational-assessment/practice-exams-for-improved-learning/
  • ↑ https://www.collegeraptor.com/getting-in/articles/act-sat/improve-act-sat-weak-spots/
  • ↑ https://www.educationcorner.com/study-motivation-tips.html
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201704/how-do-work-breaks-help-your-brain-5-surprising-answers
  • ↑ https://wp0.vanderbilt.edu/cft/guides-sub-pages/learning-styles-preferences/
  • ↑ https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/LearningStylesMyth
  • ↑ https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-is-my-learning-style1712.html
  • ↑ https://faculty.ucr.edu/~aseitz/pubs/Shams_Seitz08.pdf
  • ↑ https://onlinelaw.wustl.edu/how-to-increase-concentration-and-retention-2/
  • ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/boost-your-memory-by-eating-right
  • ↑ https://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep/learning-memory
  • ↑ https://info.lse.ac.uk/current-students/Assets/Articles/Exam-Diet-Eating-your-way-to-good-grades
  • ↑ https://www.educationcorner.com/multiple-choice-tests.html

About This Article

Ted Dorsey, MA

To get higher marks in your exams, take thorough notes in your classes so you can use them to study. Also, try to study for at least 30 minutes every day leading up to your exams so you memorize the material. Avoid cramming for your tests the night before or you could overload your brain and forget everything. When it's time to take one of your exams, start by writing down any important formulas or information on a scrap piece of paper so you can reference them as you go. Also, if you don't know the answer to a question, always guess. If you want to learn more about what to do the night before and morning of the exam, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Rubric Best Practices, Examples, and Templates

A rubric is a scoring tool that identifies the different criteria relevant to an assignment, assessment, or learning outcome and states the possible levels of achievement in a specific, clear, and objective way. Use rubrics to assess project-based student work including essays, group projects, creative endeavors, and oral presentations.

Rubrics can help instructors communicate expectations to students and assess student work fairly, consistently and efficiently. Rubrics can provide students with informative feedback on their strengths and weaknesses so that they can reflect on their performance and work on areas that need improvement.

How to Get Started

Best practices, moodle how-to guides.

  • Workshop Recording (Spring 2024)
  • Workshop Registration

Step 1: Analyze the assignment

The first step in the rubric creation process is to analyze the assignment or assessment for which you are creating a rubric. To do this, consider the following questions:

  • What is the purpose of the assignment and your feedback? What do you want students to demonstrate through the completion of this assignment (i.e. what are the learning objectives measured by it)? Is it a summative assessment, or will students use the feedback to create an improved product?
  • Does the assignment break down into different or smaller tasks? Are these tasks equally important as the main assignment?
  • What would an “excellent” assignment look like? An “acceptable” assignment? One that still needs major work?
  • How detailed do you want the feedback you give students to be? Do you want/need to give them a grade?

Step 2: Decide what kind of rubric you will use

Types of rubrics: holistic, analytic/descriptive, single-point

Holistic Rubric. A holistic rubric includes all the criteria (such as clarity, organization, mechanics, etc.) to be considered together and included in a single evaluation. With a holistic rubric, the rater or grader assigns a single score based on an overall judgment of the student’s work, using descriptions of each performance level to assign the score.

Advantages of holistic rubrics:

  • Can p lace an emphasis on what learners can demonstrate rather than what they cannot
  • Save grader time by minimizing the number of evaluations to be made for each student
  • Can be used consistently across raters, provided they have all been trained

Disadvantages of holistic rubrics:

  • Provide less specific feedback than analytic/descriptive rubrics
  • Can be difficult to choose a score when a student’s work is at varying levels across the criteria
  • Any weighting of c riteria cannot be indicated in the rubric

Analytic/Descriptive Rubric . An analytic or descriptive rubric often takes the form of a table with the criteria listed in the left column and with levels of performance listed across the top row. Each cell contains a description of what the specified criterion looks like at a given level of performance. Each of the criteria is scored individually.

Advantages of analytic rubrics:

  • Provide detailed feedback on areas of strength or weakness
  • Each criterion can be weighted to reflect its relative importance

Disadvantages of analytic rubrics:

  • More time-consuming to create and use than a holistic rubric
  • May not be used consistently across raters unless the cells are well defined
  • May result in giving less personalized feedback

Single-Point Rubric . A single-point rubric is breaks down the components of an assignment into different criteria, but instead of describing different levels of performance, only the “proficient” level is described. Feedback space is provided for instructors to give individualized comments to help students improve and/or show where they excelled beyond the proficiency descriptors.

Advantages of single-point rubrics:

  • Easier to create than an analytic/descriptive rubric
  • Perhaps more likely that students will read the descriptors
  • Areas of concern and excellence are open-ended
  • May removes a focus on the grade/points
  • May increase student creativity in project-based assignments

Disadvantage of analytic rubrics: Requires more work for instructors writing feedback

Step 3 (Optional): Look for templates and examples.

You might Google, “Rubric for persuasive essay at the college level” and see if there are any publicly available examples to start from. Ask your colleagues if they have used a rubric for a similar assignment. Some examples are also available at the end of this article. These rubrics can be a great starting point for you, but consider steps 3, 4, and 5 below to ensure that the rubric matches your assignment description, learning objectives and expectations.

Step 4: Define the assignment criteria

Make a list of the knowledge and skills are you measuring with the assignment/assessment Refer to your stated learning objectives, the assignment instructions, past examples of student work, etc. for help.

  Helpful strategies for defining grading criteria:

  • Collaborate with co-instructors, teaching assistants, and other colleagues
  • Brainstorm and discuss with students
  • Can they be observed and measured?
  • Are they important and essential?
  • Are they distinct from other criteria?
  • Are they phrased in precise, unambiguous language?
  • Revise the criteria as needed
  • Consider whether some are more important than others, and how you will weight them.

Step 5: Design the rating scale

Most ratings scales include between 3 and 5 levels. Consider the following questions when designing your rating scale:

  • Given what students are able to demonstrate in this assignment/assessment, what are the possible levels of achievement?
  • How many levels would you like to include (more levels means more detailed descriptions)
  • Will you use numbers and/or descriptive labels for each level of performance? (for example 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and/or Exceeds expectations, Accomplished, Proficient, Developing, Beginning, etc.)
  • Don’t use too many columns, and recognize that some criteria can have more columns that others . The rubric needs to be comprehensible and organized. Pick the right amount of columns so that the criteria flow logically and naturally across levels.

Step 6: Write descriptions for each level of the rating scale

Artificial Intelligence tools like Chat GPT have proven to be useful tools for creating a rubric. You will want to engineer your prompt that you provide the AI assistant to ensure you get what you want. For example, you might provide the assignment description, the criteria you feel are important, and the number of levels of performance you want in your prompt. Use the results as a starting point, and adjust the descriptions as needed.

Building a rubric from scratch

For a single-point rubric , describe what would be considered “proficient,” i.e. B-level work, and provide that description. You might also include suggestions for students outside of the actual rubric about how they might surpass proficient-level work.

For analytic and holistic rubrics , c reate statements of expected performance at each level of the rubric.

  • Consider what descriptor is appropriate for each criteria, e.g., presence vs absence, complete vs incomplete, many vs none, major vs minor, consistent vs inconsistent, always vs never. If you have an indicator described in one level, it will need to be described in each level.
  • You might start with the top/exemplary level. What does it look like when a student has achieved excellence for each/every criterion? Then, look at the “bottom” level. What does it look like when a student has not achieved the learning goals in any way? Then, complete the in-between levels.
  • For an analytic rubric , do this for each particular criterion of the rubric so that every cell in the table is filled. These descriptions help students understand your expectations and their performance in regard to those expectations.

Well-written descriptions:

  • Describe observable and measurable behavior
  • Use parallel language across the scale
  • Indicate the degree to which the standards are met

Step 7: Create your rubric

Create your rubric in a table or spreadsheet in Word, Google Docs, Sheets, etc., and then transfer it by typing it into Moodle. You can also use online tools to create the rubric, but you will still have to type the criteria, indicators, levels, etc., into Moodle. Rubric creators: Rubistar , iRubric

Step 8: Pilot-test your rubric

Prior to implementing your rubric on a live course, obtain feedback from:

  • Teacher assistants

Try out your new rubric on a sample of student work. After you pilot-test your rubric, analyze the results to consider its effectiveness and revise accordingly.

  • Limit the rubric to a single page for reading and grading ease
  • Use parallel language . Use similar language and syntax/wording from column to column. Make sure that the rubric can be easily read from left to right or vice versa.
  • Use student-friendly language . Make sure the language is learning-level appropriate. If you use academic language or concepts, you will need to teach those concepts.
  • Share and discuss the rubric with your students . Students should understand that the rubric is there to help them learn, reflect, and self-assess. If students use a rubric, they will understand the expectations and their relevance to learning.
  • Consider scalability and reusability of rubrics. Create rubric templates that you can alter as needed for multiple assignments.
  • Maximize the descriptiveness of your language. Avoid words like “good” and “excellent.” For example, instead of saying, “uses excellent sources,” you might describe what makes a resource excellent so that students will know. You might also consider reducing the reliance on quantity, such as a number of allowable misspelled words. Focus instead, for example, on how distracting any spelling errors are.

Example of an analytic rubric for a final paper

Above Average (4)Sufficient (3)Developing (2)Needs improvement (1)
(Thesis supported by relevant information and ideas The central purpose of the student work is clear and supporting ideas always are always well-focused. Details are relevant, enrich the work.The central purpose of the student work is clear and ideas are almost always focused in a way that supports the thesis. Relevant details illustrate the author’s ideas.The central purpose of the student work is identified. Ideas are mostly focused in a way that supports the thesis.The purpose of the student work is not well-defined. A number of central ideas do not support the thesis. Thoughts appear disconnected.
(Sequencing of elements/ ideas)Information and ideas are presented in a logical sequence which flows naturally and is engaging to the audience.Information and ideas are presented in a logical sequence which is followed by the reader with little or no difficulty.Information and ideas are presented in an order that the audience can mostly follow.Information and ideas are poorly sequenced. The audience has difficulty following the thread of thought.
(Correctness of grammar and spelling)Minimal to no distracting errors in grammar and spelling.The readability of the work is only slightly interrupted by spelling and/or grammatical errors.Grammatical and/or spelling errors distract from the work.The readability of the work is seriously hampered by spelling and/or grammatical errors.

Example of a holistic rubric for a final paper

The audience is able to easily identify the central message of the work and is engaged by the paper’s clear focus and relevant details. Information is presented logically and naturally. There are minimal to no distracting errors in grammar and spelling. : The audience is easily able to identify the focus of the student work which is supported by relevant ideas and supporting details. Information is presented in a logical manner that is easily followed. The readability of the work is only slightly interrupted by errors. : The audience can identify the central purpose of the student work without little difficulty and supporting ideas are present and clear. The information is presented in an orderly fashion that can be followed with little difficulty. Grammatical and spelling errors distract from the work. : The audience cannot clearly or easily identify the central ideas or purpose of the student work. Information is presented in a disorganized fashion causing the audience to have difficulty following the author’s ideas. The readability of the work is seriously hampered by errors.

Single-Point Rubric

Advanced (evidence of exceeding standards)Criteria described a proficient levelConcerns (things that need work)
Criteria #1: Description reflecting achievement of proficient level of performance
Criteria #2: Description reflecting achievement of proficient level of performance
Criteria #3: Description reflecting achievement of proficient level of performance
Criteria #4: Description reflecting achievement of proficient level of performance
90-100 points80-90 points<80 points

More examples:

  • Single Point Rubric Template ( variation )
  • Analytic Rubric Template make a copy to edit
  • A Rubric for Rubrics
  • Bank of Online Discussion Rubrics in different formats
  • Mathematical Presentations Descriptive Rubric
  • Math Proof Assessment Rubric
  • Kansas State Sample Rubrics
  • Design Single Point Rubric

Technology Tools: Rubrics in Moodle

  • Moodle Docs: Rubrics
  • Moodle Docs: Grading Guide (use for single-point rubrics)

Tools with rubrics (other than Moodle)

  • Google Assignments
  • Turnitin Assignments: Rubric or Grading Form

Other resources

  • DePaul University (n.d.). Rubrics .
  • Gonzalez, J. (2014). Know your terms: Holistic, Analytic, and Single-Point Rubrics . Cult of Pedagogy.
  • Goodrich, H. (1996). Understanding rubrics . Teaching for Authentic Student Performance, 54 (4), 14-17. Retrieved from   
  • Miller, A. (2012). Tame the beast: tips for designing and using rubrics.
  • Ragupathi, K., Lee, A. (2020). Beyond Fairness and Consistency in Grading: The Role of Rubrics in Higher Education. In: Sanger, C., Gleason, N. (eds) Diversity and Inclusion in Global Higher Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore.

IGNOUHelp.in

A Leading Portal for IGNOU Students

IGNOU Assignment Status, Marks & Result 2024 (June)

IGNOU Assignment Status, Marks, and Result 2024 – Students who are anxious to know whether their IGNOU assignments are accepted and processed or not can now check their IGNOU assignment submission status on the official portal. Here, Students will get to know about the IGNOU Assignment Status for the most recent TEE sessions June 2024 and the previous December 2023. Furthermore, The students who are preparing for TEE June 2024 must have completed and submitted their assignments as the deadline for submission is now over. Once you have submitted the assignments, you can check the assignment status from time to time to check the acceptance, approval, and evaluation of the assignments. The university provides a link on its official portal that leads to the assignment status window.

Assignments are extremely essential components in the IGNOU curriculum. It carries about 30% of the grade card weightage. So, a good score on your assignments will also ensure that you get good grades. You can fail in the assignments because of several reasons like not abiding by the assignment guidelines. Hence, you must check the guidelines carefully and then submit them to avoid consequences.

IGNOU Assignment Status 2024

As we all know that the last date for submission of the IGNOU Assignment for the TEE June 2024 session is now over. Therefore, we hope that the IGNOU RCs across the country have also begun to update the IGNOU Assignment Status Online for the most recent TEE session June 2024. As of now, the students will only get to know the status of “Check Grade Card Status for Details” as the assignment marks and results for the session June 2024 are declared together with the IGNOU TEE Result June 2024 . Therefore, candidates are advised to keep checking their IGNOU Assignment status regularly to get their assignment marks and results online as soon as possible.

IGNOU assignment status and marks for TEE December 2023 are now uploaded with the TEE Result December 2023 so keep checking the assignment status regularly to get your marks. If you already submitted the IGNOU Assignment for the session December 2023 to your study centre or through online or offline mode then you don’t have to wait for more time. The link to check your assignment status and marks is now updated to confirm whether it gets updated online or not. The assignment status and marks for June & December 2023 are generally updated with the TEE Result for June & December 2023 respectively.

IGNOU Assignment Status

IGNOU Assignment Status Update Process & Time

After submission of assignments through any of the available methods, the assignments goes for an evaluation to the evaluator of the study centre or regional centre. Once the Evaluator has successfully evaluated your assignment then they will either upload your marks directly on the IGNOU Official Site or it will be sent to IGNOU Delhi for updating online and thereafter it can be seen by each student to get their report. You can get your Marks, Status, Grades, and Results of your Assignments from here. Generally, IGNOU Assignment marks updating and uploading within 40 days after submission to the concerned study or regional centre.

Also Read: IGNOU Assignment Passing Marks 2024

IGNOU Assignment Submission Status List 2024

The students of TEE June 2024, December 2023, June 2023, and December 2022 may check the status of their IGNOU Assignments from here. The submission of the IGNOU Assignment for session June 2024 was already over so candidates can now regularly check the status to get to know whether their marks are updated in the grade card or not. We also want to inform our students that the assignment marks for Dec 2023 session also get updated with the TEE Result Dec 2023 so students are advised to check their assignment marks by following the given procedure.

Furthermore, The students from June 2022, December 2021, and June 2021 session can also find their IGNOU Assignment marks and results here.

June 2024 Updated
December 2023 Updated
June 2023 Updated
December 2022 Updated
June 2022 Updated
December 2021 Updated
June 2021 Updated

How to Check IGNOU Assignment Status 2024?

Many of the students are getting confused about checking their assignment status & marks online after the submission of their assignments to the study centre which they prepared with their hard work. We have made the process easier for students to find their assignment status, marks & results in one place.

Step – 1 – Click on the given link to check IGNOU Assignment Status 2024.

Step – 2 – Now enter your enrollment number on the window that opens.

Step – 3 – Next, select your respective program.

Step – 4 – Click on Submit to get your assignment status.

Once you notice that the assignment status is showing ‘Received to be Processed’, you can consider that the assignments are gone for evaluation finally.

Click to Check the IGNOU Assignment Status, Marks, and Results

Note – IGNOU Assignment status may take some time to get updated online so candidates are requested to keep checking their status regularly to find their assignment marks from here. In some cases, the study centre first evaluates the assignment, after evaluation, they send the marks to the regional centre and then the concerned authority at RC uploads the marks online which definitely takes some time.

IGNOU Assignment Status Meaning

When you check through the IGNOU assignment status, you may come up with three different statuses accordingly. Here are the meanings of these statuses that you notice on the window:

Received to be Processed This status means the portal has received the assignment successfully.
Received and in Process According to this status, the authorities have downloaded your assignment to start the evaluation.
Check Grade Card Status for Detail Finally, your assignments are checked and marked.

IGNOU Assignment Result and Marks Checking Process 2024

The assignment status will show you when the evaluation is done. The university will start updating your marks on the grade card as soon as the evaluation of the assignments is done. So, you must check the grade card after the assignment status says you to do so.

Step – 1 – Visit the official IGNOU portal at www.ignou.ac.in and go to Student Zone.

Step – 2 –  Search for Results and click on it.

Step – 3 – From the left panel, click on Grade Card .

Step – 4 – Provide your program, course, and enrolment number to search and get your grade card.

As you see your grade card, you can check whether the university has updated your assignment marks on it or not. If the search results are leading to an error, this means the university has not yet started updating the grade cards of the students for this semester.

What If IGNOU Assignment Status Is Not Updated?

Sometimes the update process of IGNOU Assignment status gets delayed for an unknown reason like the evaluation of assignments is delayed in the concerned study centre or maybe the regional centre has not uploaded your assignment marks online. Candidates can wait till the declaration of the result to get updates on their assignment but if you are not able to find your assignment status or marks even after the release of the TEE Result then you need to connect with centre where you submitted your assignments.

Also Check: IGNOU Helpline Number

In most cases, candidates have to visit their IGNOU Study Centre and complain to the coordinator of centre to get updates regarding their pending assignment marks and status. Please keep a copy of the grade card and don’t forget the receipt of the assignment that you received while submitting of assignments. Once you follow the given instructions, you will get your assignment marks updated online.

Also Read: IGNOU IGRAM – Raise a Complaint

If your issue is not resolved after many attempts of visiting or contacting your RC and SC then do raise a complaint at the IGRAM portal. The grievance team will take appropriate action on your assignment work and will revert to you with the exact solution.

IGNOU Assignment Status 2024: FAQs

Q1. Is it necessary to keep track of my IGNOU Assignment Status? Answer: Yes, it is crucial to regularly monitor your assignment status.

Q2. How much time does IGNOU take to update assignment marks? Answer: You should check your IGNOU assignment after a month to 45 days after the submission of the assignments.

Q3. How can I check my IGNOU Assignment Submission Status? Answer: Candidates can check their IGNOU Assignment Status online through their enrollment number and program code.

Q4. Where can I check my assignment status in IGNOU? Answer: You can check the IGNOU assignment status through the link https://isms.ignou.ac.in/changeadmdata/StatusAssignment.asp .

Q5. What do received and in the process mean? Answer: Received means the university has accepted and approved the assignment while ‘in process’ means the assignment is being evaluated.

Q6. Why is IGNOU not showing assignment status? Answer: If the window is not showing the status, you might not have submitted the assignment according to the guidelines, or the status is yet to be updated by the respective study or regional centre.

Q7. Whom should I contact regarding an incomplete Assignment Status or Result? Answer: Reach out to the Study Centre or Regional Centre where you submitted your assignments for assistance.

779 thoughts on “IGNOU Assignment Status, Marks & Result 2024 (June)”

I appeared in 2nd year course of Bswgol, for term end exam jun 2024 .I have deposited its solved assignments on 3oth April 2024 at my study centre ,Handique girls college Guwahati against acknowledgement receipts for the said assignments. The result for the said examn has already been announced. But my result is yet to be announced ,even my assignment marks has not been declared. kindly look into the matter.I am tensed. my Enrollment no is 2251493763.

Sir, I am trying to check the assignment but the site is repeatedly showing my enrollment number wrong. I am unable to understand what should I do

sir, I had submitted my assignment MHd before 31 March 2024. But now it is no shown on my assignment status. kindly please share my assignment status or marks

My assignment status not shown….I submitted my 4assignment befor 31st March,2024……I m confused my assignment received or not

same problem

I am also having the same problem

Please update marks of one paper MGEP-08 of MPS ,really confused..Enroll no. 2105827220

I have submitted 4 assignment but showing results and complete only three assignments now what I do for this , what is the process of challenge for this.

In DECE results only DECE 1 result is shown another 2,3 results are not found what is this

My only 2 paper’s assignment shows receive & process. But I submitted 4 papers assignment in a same day.

hii I am siya I am checking my assignment status. It’s showing check for details or not completed one assignment but I had submitted my assignment.please help me

sir mere assignments ke MHD 1st year ke marks hi show ho rahe h second year ka ek sub ka bhi show nhi ho raha.or na hi koi process me dikha raha h.

mere bhi assignment ke no. show nhi ho rha h

mera assignment abhi tak declared nhi huwa hai.

my assignment and result of june 2024 CFN

hii Aditi Sharma this side.. I am checking my assignment status ..it’s showing not found…but ..But I had submitted the assignments then why is it showing like this?…pls confirm

Same thing happening with me. again and again it’s showing status not found, I m not getting what should I do

SAME PROBLEM

same happened to me, I have submitted my my assignment not June and there is nothing showing up on my assignment status for June 2024 sir/mam pls solve this problem. I am worried about it

Dear Sir, For this assignment, you will send an email to your professor my Study Centre Govind Guru Govt College (2307) Centre not Found so i am submission my assignment For email address Please Acceptance My Assignment ——– Warm Regards

Enrollment No:-2250168460 Study Centre;- Govind Guru Govt College (2307) Regional Centre :- 88 Jodhpur Programme :- COF Certification In Organic Farming Add. VPO -Hamirwas , Rajgarh ,Churu, Raj. 331305

plz, issue my mark sheet & result….

sir mara assignment ka no. show nahin ho rha hai 2023 ko 31 March ko submit krbai thi

Dear sir/madam

After multiple reminders, my makrs not updated in grade card and not showing in result sheet, and also not updated assignment marks for this subject, It’s always showing not opted, but it’s not my fault, I opted this subject and also written examination, but due to some technical issues, marks not uploaded,

It my humble request to you, please update my makrs in grade card and result sheet, both, written exam marks and assignment marks. For the subject of MECE001

Please please update it, I worried about my course completion.

Thanks & Regards Sanjeev Kumar COURSE -MEC Enrollment no: 2200487857

Hello sir…Mera name Manisha kumari h……Maise apna assistant apne IGNOU Study centre 05172 … Date 03/10/2023 ko subject BHIC 105 ka assignment jama ki thi or thik do din yani 5/10/2023 ko BANS 184 ko speed post ke dwara Patna IGNOU branch mithapur me bheji thi……

Apse Nivedan h ki Mera dono subject ka assignment number apdate karne ki kirpa kar….

Name Manisha kumari subject…BANS 184 BHIC 105 Enrollment number 2201529005.

bfdi073 not completed ho rha hai sir carde Card mai …exam or assinmat dono mai pass hu…fir bhe

sir main b.a 3th part ka students hu mera name pooja kumari haï exam from nhi dalaya q

Mera roll no 2252162862 hai dec 2023 ke assignment marks abhi tak update nahi hue🥺 kab tak update honge please answer me 🙏.

Dear Sir, I am Sachin Sharma & My Roll No.is 187367447. Pls upload my result on website as its very urgent.

i am not getting results of my last examination result and assignment result.

please guide.

Mera roll number 2005072840 ha.main bag ki Student hun.mera bag Ka final grade card me mere ek Subject bfdi 073 Ka assignment not completed dikha rha h.jbki mere assignment me 50 me 30 marks han

Mera bhi yhi Hal h

why my assignment results not declared yet

Sir,may I clear a doubt, My enrolment no 2302010240, Geetha pallipravan. January 2023 session meg result has come. But l didn’t get Assignment marks. Is it published or yet to be published? My Rc is vadakara and study center Nirmalagiri College, Kuthuparamba. waiting for your reply.

Dear Respected Sir/Madam, I would like to inform you regarding my assignments , my 9 assignment papers has Not been update , kindly try to update my 9 papers assignment .Iam a ignou student Of English honours , Programme BAEGH , my study centre code is GarobadhaSt.Dominic Savio Mission ignou , I was submitted assignments on 18/1/2024 my enrollment number is 2005219340 , Regional centre NEHU Shillong Lemshing Mawkynrah pin code 793022

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Templates for college and university assignments

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5 ways to organize your college assignments.

BY JANE HURST

Weekly assignments, midterms, final papers… all piling up each day, making every year of your college life seem more difficult than the previous one. But it doesn’t have to be this hard.

There are several different ways to help you sort out your assignments and actually get started with completing them. Whether you prefer putting all your notes and ideas on paper or would rather reduce your carbon footprint and go all in for tech, here are 5 ways to organize your student assignments:

  • Assignment binders and planners

Perhaps the most accessible method for organizing your student assignments is creating a binder to hold all your papers, reminders, and auxiliary materials. You can either create one for each class or a separate binder for your assignments only. Alternatively, you can put together an up-to-date semester agenda with assignments and their due dates so you can check it out each week to see what’s next for you to prepare and if you’re on track with college work.

These two options are strong organization tools you can reach out to at any time. Try color-coding or sorting them in a specific order of your choice to find the files you need more easily. For instance, you can divide your assignments binder into 3 parts: a red folder for assignments you have to complete, a yellow one for the ones you’re working on, and a green folder for any papers you’ve already delivered. Be careful here not to put an assignment you’re done with into the green folder until you’ve delivered it to your teacher.

  • Digital Kanban boards

If you’d rather have a tool remind you when your assignments are due, try digital Kanban boards. A Kanban visual board is a practical method that lets you track all assignments and college work through 3 simple stages: To Do, In Progress, and Finished/Delivered.

You’ll receive email notifications or alerts whenever an assignment’s deadline is approaching. The best part is that these tools can also be used together with your classmates in case you’ve got group projects to work on.

Free project management software options like Paymo often offer a Kanban feature in addition to simple to-do lists that will also allow you to keep track of any other duties you have be they personal or college related.

  • Consider a cloud-based file storage solution

If you’re always on the run going from one class to another, you probably won’t want to keep all your files, binders, and notes with you. Online file storage options like Dropbox or Google Drive help you store all of these in a single place.

This way, you’ll be able to access your assignments and class notes from anywhere whether you’re on your laptop, smartphone, or classroom computer. You can also become a power user of these digital solutions by learning how to organize your files into folders so you’ve got every structured according to your year of study, semester, and class.

  • The classical desktop folders

For those of you who like taking their laptop to class and writing down all notes digitally, you might want to stick to organizing all files in your computer. This is an accessible and free method that will also allow you to get started with an assignment without having to download any external files.

An example for this filing system could be: Assignments -> Molecular Foundations -> Midterm Assignments -> To Do -> DNA recombination paper (file).

To make sure you don’t miss a deadline, just pair this method with a project management tool or your calendar app to send you regular reminders in time.

  • The Big6 Organizer 

Now that you’ve got your files sorted, you need a strategy to get started with working on your assignments. The Big6 method is a 6-step process that helps you conduct your research through a series of clear stages. This way you’ll never be stuck again wondering what you’re supposed to do next.

The 6 stages are:

  • Task definition – Define your information-related problem and find the facts and figures you need. 2. Information seeking strategies – Identify all potential information sources and establish the best ones. 3. Location and access – Locate these sources and find the info you need within them. 4. Use of information – Engage with the information you found by reading any written content, watching a video, or experimenting and extract only the information that is relevant to your research. 5. Synthesis – Organize the info you found in your multiple sources and present it in a structured manner. 6. Evaluation – Judge the effectiveness of your results and analyze if the research process was efficient and you’ve covered all of the assignment’s aspects.

Test a few of these methods for organizing your student assignments before you decide to rigorously follow one. Pay particular attention to how stress-free you feel when using one or another of these techniques. For example, if you’re feeling anxious at all times thinking you’ll forget to hand in an assignment, then perhaps it’s better for you to go for one of the digital methods that will notify you whenever a due date is approaching.

Jane Hurst has been working in education for over 5 years as a teacher. She loves sharing her knowledge with students, is fascinated about edtech and loves reading, a lot. Follow Jane on Twitter.

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Home » Primary Sources » Ronald Reagan, Speech at Moscow State University (1988)

Ronald Reagan, Speech at Moscow State University (1988)

This speech, delivered before the fall of the Soviet Union, provides another definition of freedom and its centrality to American democracy and to democracy writ large.

But freedom is more even than this: Freedom is the right to question, and change the established way of doing things. It is the continuing revolution of the marketplace. It is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek solutions. It is the right to put forth an idea, scoffed at by the experts, and watch it catch fire among the people. It is the right to stick – to dream – to follow your dream, or stick to your conscience, even if you’re the only one in a sea of doubters.

Freedom is the recognition that no single person, no single authority of government has a monopoly on the truth, but that every individual life is infinitely precious, that every one of us put on this world has been put there for a reason and has something to offer.”

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  1. Grade Calculator

    Grade Calculator. Use this calculator to find out the grade of a course based on weighted averages. This calculator accepts both numerical as well as letter grades. It also can calculate the grade needed for the remaining assignments in order to get a desired grade for an ongoing course. Assignment/Exam.

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    Use different grading scales for different assignments. Grading scales include: letter grades with pluses and minuses (for papers, essays, essay exams, etc.) 100-point numerical scale (for exams, certain types of projects, etc.) check +, check, check- (for quizzes, homework, response papers, quick reports or presentations, etc.)

  3. Grade Calculator

    To calculate your average grade, follow these steps: Multiple each grade by its weight. In this example, you received a 90% on the first assignment and it was worth 10%. So multiply 90 x 10 = 900. You also received an 80% on the test and it was worth 20% of the class grade. So multiply 80 x 20 = 1600.

  4. Grade Calculator

    Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a Grade Calculator: Step 1: Input the Assignments. Users manually enter the name of each assignment, for example: Assignment 1, 2, 3, Homework, Final Exam, etc. Step 2: Input the grade. Enter their scores for each assignment, test, project, or other exam throughout the course.

  5. Final Grade Calculator

    To enter these grades in the calculator above, you first need to calculate your grade percentage for each assignment using the following formula: grade percentage = points earned / possible points x 100. So taking your mid-term test grade as an example, we get the following: mid-term test = 190 points earned / 200 possible points x 100 = 95%

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    In order to work out your weighted average grade for your university year, module, or assignment, we take the marks (or grades) multiplied by their respective weights, sum them together, and then divide the total by the sum of the weights. An example is shown below, and the calculation is shown at the bottom of the results.

  12. 8 Important Assignment Writing Steps Every Student Should Know

    7. Revise and Edit Your Work. It's not easy to do all the assignment writing in one sitting—planning, researching, drafting, editing, and proofreading. If you have followed your schedule, you should have some time left before the deadline. Step back from the first draft for a day or two.

  13. The Best College Essay Length: How Long Should It Be?

    In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

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    A technique for ensuring consistency and marking essays faster is to grade all submissions for content first, then return to assess structure, supporting material, clarity, consistency and writing quality. Too much feedback on assignments slows marking down. Jo Guldi (CC BY-2.0)

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    1. Study frequently. Studying hard for only a few hours the night before the test isn't going to help ensure perfect scores. If you really want to ace those exams, study old and new material every day, or at least several times a week. This will make test-taking a breeze.

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