Grading Schemes in Canvas

A grading scheme defines how a student’s numerical course grade translates into a letter grade or other rating. For example, you might define 90–100% as an A, 80–89.99% as a B, and so on.

In Canvas, you can create a custom grading scheme to match the grading scale used in your course or in your syllabi. Canvas then uses these ranges to determine the letter grade associated with each student’s course grade.

University of Miami Grading Note: UM recognizes letter grades from A+ through F, but percentage ranges may vary by course, program, or school. Because Canvas’s default grading scheme may not match the scale in your syllabus, instructors should review and adjust the scheme as needed. 

Enable or Create a Grading Scheme

Canvas allows you to use an available grading scheme or create a custom scheme that matches the grading scale for your course.

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  • Step 1: Open Course Settings, then the Course Details Tab

    • From your Canvas course, select Settings in the Course Navigation menu. 
    • Select the Course Details tab, if it is not already displayed.

    Step 1A

  • Step 2: Enable a Course Grading Scheme

    • Locate the Grading Scheme section and select Enable course grading scheme.

    Step 1B

  • Step 3: Select or Create a Grading Scheme

    • Use the Grading Scheme drop-down menu to select an available grading scheme.
    • If none of the available schemes match the grading scale used in your course, select +New Grading Scheme to create your own.

    Step1d

  • Step 4: Create Your Custom Grading Scheme

    • Enter a descriptive name for your grading scheme, such as ENG 101 Fall 20XX Grading Scheme.
    • Choose whether your grading scheme will be based on percentages or points.
    • For each grade level:
      • Enter the letter grade or other label.
      • Enter the minimum percentage or point value required to earn that grade.
      • Use + to create additional grade ranges.
      • Use the trasch can icon to remove ranges that you do not need.
    • Canvas requires the grading scheme to cover the complete grading range.

    Step1e

     

    Tip: Before saving, compare the ranges in Canvas with the grading scale published in your syllabus to ensure they match.

  • Step 5: Save the Grading Scheme, then Apply the Scheme to Your Course

    • Select Save when you have finished creating your grading scheme.
    • Your new scheme will now be available for use in the course.
    • Return to the Grading Scheme section of the Course Details tab and make sure the appropriate scheme is selected.
    • Then select Update Course Details at the bottom of the page.
    • The grading scheme will now be applied to the overall course grade.

    Step1f

Display Letter Grades Only to Students

By default, students may see numerical grading information, such as points or percentages, along with the letter grades produced by a grading scheme.

If you would like students to see letter grades and qualitative feedback without numerical points or percentages, Canvas provides a separate setting called Restrict view of quantitative data.

Before you begin: Set and review your course grading scheme first. Canvas uses the grading scheme to determine which letter grade is displayed when numerical grading information is hidden. 

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  • Step 1: Set Your Course Grading Scheme

    • Follow the instructions above to enable an existing grading scheme or create a custom grading scheme that matches your syllabus.

  • Step 2: Open Course Settings, then the Course Details Tab

    • From your Canvas course, select Settings and open the Course Details tab.

    Step1a Again

  • Step 3: Locate Quantitative Data Options

    • Scroll to the Quantitative Data Options section.
    • Select Restrict view of quantitative data.
    • When this setting is enabled, students and observers will see qualitative grading information, including letter grades and comments, rather than numerical points and percentages.
    • Instructors and teaching assistants can continue to view the numerical grading information needed to calculate and manage grades.

    Step2a

  • Step 4: Save Your Changes

    • Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Update Course Details.

    Step2b

Canvas's quantitative-data restriction is only partially supported for Classic Quizzes. Students may still encounter numerical scores when viewing result details.

Need Help?

For assistance configuring grading schemes or other Canvas Gradebook settings, contact the Learning Platforms Team at learningplatforms@miami.edu.

For general technical assistance, contact the UMIT Service Desk at 305-284-6565 or help@miami.edu.

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