How does my category grade change if my lowest score is dropped?

How we calculated this

Eligible scores are sorted ascending, the stated number of lowest scores are removed, and the remaining scores are averaged for this category. Using the example values above (60%, 80%, 100%, dropping one), the 60% is removed and the category average becomes 90% from the remaining two scores.

Limitations

Which scores are eligible to be dropped, and how many, is entirely your school's or instructor's own rule; this site never assumes one. Confirm the real rule before relying on this result for a decision that matters.

Common mistakes

A common error is including a score that is explicitly excluded from the drop rule, such as a final exam a syllabus specifically protects from being dropped. Another is dropping more scores than the rule allows because a low score is tempting to remove; enter only the drop count your actual policy specifies, not the count that produces the best result.

Frequently asked

Does this apply to a single test or a whole category?

Either; enter whichever set of eligible equal-weight scores your drop rule actually applies to.

How is this different from Dropped Test Impact?

The math is identical; Dropped Test Impact frames the same calculation around a specific test scenario rather than a category policy.

What if my syllabus does not mention a drop policy at all?

Do not assume one exists; a drop-lowest policy is never universal, and applying it without confirmation could misstate your real category grade.

Can a drop policy apply to more than one category?

Yes, if your syllabus says so for each; run this calculation separately for every category that has its own drop rule, since the policies may differ.

Next decision

Once you have a category average, feed it into Current Weighted Course Grade, or see Missing Assignment or Zero Impact for a different policy scenario.