Dropping the lowest score; is it calculated continuously or only at the semester end?

richard_gardner

My class has 6 tests; lowest score is dropped. A student asked today (after we've taken 5 tests) if her semester score on Canvas already reflects that the lowest score (so far) has been dropped, or if it is only going to show up after all 6 tests have been taken. I assumed it continuously recalculated every time a test happens, but I am not sure. Am I right?

Jeff_F

@richard_gardner - Canvas calculates dropped scores continuously, not just at the end of the semester.

When you use Assignment Group Rules to drop the lowest score, Canvas recalculates the group total every time a new grade is entered. As soon as there are enough graded items in the group to satisfy the rule, Canvas automatically determines which score to drop based on what results in the best possible score for that student at that moment. Students can see the effect immediately in their Grades view, and the dropped assignment is marked as “Dropped”.

This also means the dropped item can change over time. A score that is currently dropped may no longer be dropped later if a new, lower or more impactful score is added to the group. Canvas evaluates dropped scores based on total points, not just percentages, and always selects the option that maximizes the assignment group total for the student
There is no special “end of semester” recalculation. What students see during the term is the same calculation Canvas uses for the final grade.

https://community.instructure.com/en/kb/articles/660670-how-do-i-create-rules-for-an-assignment-group