Grades in the Gradebook can be confusing at first—especially when you see multiple averages listed. This article explains how grades are calculated using category weighting and breaks down the difference between Grade-to-Date (GTD) and Non‑Running‑Total (NRT). You’ll learn what each number includes, why they can be different, and how both values are calculated. See below:

To understand how grades are calculated, it first helps to understand weighting.

What is Weighting?

Grades in this system are based on weighted categories, not total points. 

Each category (Lessons, Quizzes, Exams, etc.) contributes a set percentage to the final grade. For example:

• Lessons = 30%
• Quizzes = 25%
• Exams = 35%
• Reviews = 10%

Even if a category has fewer assignments or points, it will have a greater impact on the final grade if it has a higher weight.
 

You can view category weighting in the Gradebook by clicking the dropdown (see below).

In this example, earning a perfect score on all Lesson assessments would contribute up to 30% of the final grade. Likewise, Exams contribute 35%, Quizzes contribute 25%, and Reviews contribute 10%.

In this example, even though the course may only include a few exams—because the exams are weighted heavily, they have the biggest impact on the overall final grade.

How Grade-to-Date (GTD) is calculated

Grade-to-Date shows performance based only on work that has been graded so far.
(Note: If due dates are enabled, past-due unsubmitted work is counted as missing and included as a 0 in GTD. Work that is in progress or submitted/completed but not yet graded is not included in GTD.)

In our example, the student has only taken Lesson assessments and a single Quiz.

Step 1: Find the percentage in each category

• Lessons: 70 out of 80 = 87.5%
• Quizzes: 40 out of 50 = 80%

Step 2: Multiply each by its weight

• Lessons: 87.5% × 30% = 26.25%
• Quizzes: 80% × 25% = 20%

Step 3: Add them together

• 26.25% + 20% = 46.25%

Step 4: Divide by the total eligible weight %

GTD is calculated using only the categories that have graded work so far. In this example, only Lessons and Quizzes have graded assignments, so GTD uses only those categories’ weights (not the full 100%)

(Note: If the student has graded work in every category, you can skip Step 4 because all categories are eligible.)

Let's add the total possible % for both categories (taken from the weighting)

• Eligible weight = 30% (Lessons) + 25% (Quizzes) = 55%

Take the earned weighted total (from Step 3) and divide it by the total eligible weight %. This gives the GTD.

• 46.25% ÷ 55% = 84.09% GTD

See below for the full calculation:

Key Takeaway: GTD reflects how the student is doing on graded work so far—it can look higher than the “overall” grade because it doesn’t include ungraded/in‑progress work, and it only considers categories that currently have graded items (until other categories have something graded).

How the Non-Running-Total (NRT) is calculated

NRT (Non-Running-Total) shows what the student’s grade would be if all missing work counted as 0.

This gives a more realistic view of the student’s overall course progress.

How it works:

Use the same weighted calculation as GTD with two key points:

• Include all categories
• Treat any ungraded assignments as 0%

(Note: Work that is in progress or not yet graded doesn’t contribute earned points yet, so it may look like a zero until it’s graded. Also, if a weighted category is already at 0%, additional missing work in that category won’t lower the NRT further because it can’t go below 0%.)

Key Takeaway: NRT includes missing work as zeros, so it shows the student’s current overall standing in the course.

Quick Comparison