How to compute student results, averages and class positions

Step 1: the subject total (CA + exam)

Most secondary schools split each subject into continuous assessment (CA) and the exam. A common split is 40 marks for CA (for example two tests of 20) and 60 for the exam, giving a total out of 100. Some schools use 30/70 or three tests of 10.

Step 2: the grade

Each total gets a grade from your grading scale. Many Nigerian secondary schools follow the WAEC scale:

Primary schools often use a simpler A to F scale, and universities a 5-point GPA. Whatever you use, write it down once and use it for every class, so the same score always gets the same grade.

Step 3: the student's total and average

Add up the student's subject totals for the term. The average is that total divided by the number of subjects the student actually took, not the number of subjects the class offers.

In the example above: 80 + 67 + 86 = 233 across 3 subjects, so the average is 233 ÷ 3 = 77.67.

Step 4: the class position

Rank the students in the class by average, highest first. Students with the same average share a position, and the next position is skipped. If two students tie for 2nd, both are 2nd and the next student is 4th:

Decide how many decimal places you compare (two is common) and stick to it, otherwise 78.249 and 78.251 may be ranked differently from what the report shows.

Step 5: subject positions and class statistics

Many report cards also show the student's position in each subject, and the class's highest, lowest and average score for that subject. These are worked out the same way, subject by subject.

A broadsheet puts all of this on one page per class: every student, every subject, totals, averages and positions. The principal reviews it before report cards go out.

Let the software do the arithmetic

Doing this by hand or in Excel for every class takes days, and one wrong formula affects a whole class. In Qyskul, teachers enter CA and exam scores once; totals, grades, averages, positions and the broadsheet are worked out for you, on your own grading scale and CA/exam split. The principal approves, and parents see exactly the report card that was approved.

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