NOTE: This method works for any custom grade type you would like to create. Pass/fail is one type frequently requested by faculty.

1. Select Gradebook on the Course Control Panel.
2. Click Gradebook Settings.
3. Click Manage Display Options.
4. Select Add Display Options.

Create the new display option

5. Name the new option. (In this case, "pass-fail")
6. Decide how many grade values are necessary (If you need more then 2, click on the "Insert" button on the right or "Remove" if you need to remove some)
7. Type in the name value in the space provided.
8. Type in the percentages for each value. (Total must equal 100% without overlapping)
9. Type in what percentage should become effective if the named grade value is manually assigned. For the standard Letter grade option this defaults to the middle of the interval, but in our case it is more appropriate to assign 100% (full credit) for "pass", and 0% (no credit) for "fail".

10. Click "Submit".

 

1. To enter the grade manually, click on the "=" opposite the name of the student and enter the grade. (If you enter a percentage between 40 and 100 in the grade space, you will see it appear as "pass" in the gradebook.). If the percentage is entered as a result of a student completing an assessment with auto-grading, the same result will appear.

2. Go to the gradebook to see the results of your entry and what the student will see.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bob Armstrong at 410.455.3885 or rarmstro@umbc.edu or blackboard@umbc.edu.