Use the What-If Grades Feature

Owned by Christine Sandella
Last updated: Dec 05, 2024
2 min read

you can use the What-If feature to explore how upcoming or resubmitted assignments may impact your grades. This feature allows you to simulate changes for both graded and ungraded assignments, providing a preview of potential updates to your current and final grades. With the What-If tool, you can visualize different outcomes and better understand your progress.

  1. In Course Navigation, click the Grades link.

  2. Review your grades in Canvas

    1. Current Grade: You current grade appears in the sidebar [1], calculated using only graded assignments when the Calculate based only on graded assignments checkbox [2] is selected (default setting).

    2. Total Grade: To include ungraded assignments in the calculation, deselect the checkbox.

      Grades section of Canvas with a number 1 and red box around the current grade calculation, and a number 2 next to the calculate based only on graded assignments checkbox.

       

  3. Review Grades by Grading Period

    If your instructor uses grading periods, the Grades page will default to the current period. To view a different grading period:

    1. Click the Grading Period drop-down menu [1].

    2. Select the desired grading period and click Apply [2].

      On the grades section of Canvas, a red box around the term dropdown field for grading period and a red box around the apply button.

       

  4. Locate the assignment, click the score cell, and enter a hypothetical score for the assignment. The Grades page will update the total score with the What-If grade.

     

  5. To restore your actual score, click the Revert to Actual Score button.

     

  6. To view previously tested What-If scenarios, click the Show Saved What-If Scores button.