How to Create and Include Extra credit to the Overall Grade Column– (NOT for Weighted Grading)

This article explains how to correctly create and include extra credit toward the Overall Grade Column.

You can create extra credit assessments in Ultra and include those in the Overall Grade calculation by following the steps below. Afterward, you can assign extra credit points to students as needed.

This method works for only one individual extra credit column where grades aren't weighted.

Note: If you assign 0 as the points possible, any grading schema that uses a percentage, such as Percentage or Letter, is represented in the Gradebook as a score. These grading schemas are based on the percentage of the score compared to the points possible. When the points possible are 0, a percentage can't be calculated.Note: If you assign 0 as the points possible, any grading schema that uses a percentage, such as Percentage or Letter, is represented in the Gradebook as a score. These grading schemas are based on the percentage of the score compared to the points possible. When the points possible are 0, a percentage can't be calculated.

Step 1: Create an “Extra Credit” Category

  1. Go to the Gradebook and select Settings.

  2. Under Grade Categories, select Add New Category.

  3. Enter “Extra Credit” as the category name.

  4. Close the panel and return to the Gradebook.

Step 2: Create Your Extra Credit Assessment

  1. Create the item (Assignment or Test).

  2. Set Maximum Points = 0.

  3. Assign the item to the Extra Credit category.

The extra credit column will now appear in the Gradebook.

Step 3: Ensure the Extra Credit Category Is Included in the Overall Grade

To verify that the extra credit will be counted:

  1. Go to Gradebook > Grades.

  2. Select the Overall Grade icon.

  3. Choose Edit.

  4. Locate the Extra Credit category.

  5. Check the 🚫 icon next to it:

    • Gray = Included in the Overall Grade

    • Purple = Not included

  6. If it is purple, select the icon to turn it gray.

  7. If you make any changes, select Save.



Keywords:
blackboard,ultra,blackboard ultra,grades,credit extra 
Doc ID:
157119
Owned by:
Aayush L. in NDSU IT Knowledge Base
Created:
2025-12-05
Updated:
2025-12-08
Sites:
NDSU IT Knowledge Base