• The first is to allow the grade item and category to exceed the maximum number of points for the assignment so extra points can be given.
• The other option is to indicate the grade item is a “Bonus” item. Bonus grade items are added on to the final grade if completed.

Either option will require modifications to the final grade calculation as well as the grade category, if one is used to house the grade item.

Add Extra Points to a Grade Item

Grade items and categories can be set up to exceed the maximum point value as specified. If a grade item has been set to exceed the point value and is housed within a grade category, the grade category and final grade must also be set to exceed the maximum points.

1. Select Grades from the course navigation bar.

2. Select Manage Grades.

   If a grade item has already been created but needs to be modified, select the dropdown arrow next to the item, then select Edit and skip to step 9.

3. Select New.
4. Select Item.
5. Select Numeric as the grade item type.
6. Enter a title for the grade item in the “Name” field.
7. (Optional) Select a grade category or create a new category to house the grade item.
8. Enter the maximum points for the assignment in the “Maximum Points” field.
9. Select the box next to “Can Exceed” to allow points to exceed the points specified in the “Maximum Points” field.
10. (Optional) Modify any other settings.
11. Select Save and Close.

Modify a Grade Category to Allow Extra Points

If a grade item that was set to exceed the maximum points is housed within a grade category, that category will also need to be set to exceed the maximum score. The final grade calculation will also need to be modified.

1. Select the dropdown arrow next to the grade category to be modified.
2. Select Edit.
3. Under the “Grading” section, select the box next to “Can Exceed.”
4. Select Save and Close.

Modify the Final Calculated Grade Item to Allow Extra Points

To properly calculate extra credit points, the Final Calculated Grade item should be modified.

1. Select Grades from the course navigation bar.
2. Select Manage Grades
3. Select the dropdown arrow next to the Final Calculated Grade item.
4. Select Edit.
5. Under the “Grading” section, select the box next to “Can Exceed.”
6. Select Save and Close.
7. Continue to the next section to add a Bonus Grade Item.

Add a Bonus Grade Item

Creating a grade item that is set as a “bonus” means that students have the option of completing the assignment. Bonus grade items are not included in the maximum points for a category or final grade. They are added on top of the calculated final grade.

1. Go to the Manage Grades area.

   If a grade item has already been created but needs to be modified, select the dropdown arrow next to the item, then select Edit and skip to step 9.

2. Select New.

3. Select Item.

4. Select Numeric as the grade item type.

5. Enter a title for the grade item in the “Name” field.

6. (Optional) Select a grade category or create a new category to house the grade item.

   1. If you add the item to a grade category, that category must be have "Can Exceed" enabled
   2. If you are adding the item to the final grade, do not add it to a grade category

7. Enter the maximum points for the bonus assignment in the “Maximum Points” field.

8. Select the box next to "Bonus".

9. (Optional) Select the box next to “Can Exceed” if submissions can exceed the maximum points specified.

10. (Optional) Modify any other settings.

11. Select Save and Close.

Related Self Help Guides

• Page:
  Delete a grade item or category — This guide has information about how to remove unwanted grade items or categories
• Page:
  Integrating your Pearson MyLab or Mastering
• Page:
  Importing Optical Scanning Data into Brightspace
• Page:
  Hide the Final Calculated Grade in Brightspace — Hiding the Final Calculated Grade can be helpful if Instructors want to prevent students from seeing their (final) grade at any point during the term and if an Instructor wishes to prevent students from receiving email notifications when a grade has been entered/updated (since the Final Calculated Grade, by default, will also be updated each time a grade is entered which causes email notifications to be sent to students).
• Page:
  Hide a Single Grade Item or Grade Category from Students — When grading student work, instructors might want to decide to keep grades and feedback hidden from learners until all work has been graded, for example. For grades and feedback to be fully hidden from students, both a) the grade item and/or its category and b) the graded activity itself need to be made invisible.
• Page:
  Creating Extra Credit Grade Items — Extra credit points can be given in Brightspace in two ways:
• Page:
  Dismiss Activities from QuickEval — When you dismiss an activity, it is hidden from the Quick Eval list, but won't affect the activity. A dismissed activity is still available for evaluation from its own tool (Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions).
• Page:
  Entering all grades for a specific Grade Item — There are many ways to enter grades into Brightspace. Typically you might enter grades within the Assignment or Quizzes tool. However there are times when you may not be using those tools, but have another activity that requires a grade. One of the simplest and most straightforward is to use the Enter Grades function within the Gradebook. This method allows you to input all the grades for a specific activity in one place, without having to use the assignment or quiz tools.