Extra credit refers to points awarded to students that go beyond the regular maximum score on course assessments. While Canvas does not have a built-in “extra credit” feature, there are several options instructors can use to award extra credit. These options depend on how instructors want the extra credit to affect overall grades. Learn more below! 

Add Extra Points to an Existing Assignment 

You can manually add extra points to existing assignments directly in the Gradebook. 

Create an Extra Credit Assignment with Zero Points 

1. Create an assignment with 0 points and choose any submission type. 

2. Use “No Submission” for activities such as discussions, presentations, or other non-submitted work. 

3. After students submit work, you can manually adjust grades in the Gradebook. 

Fudge Points (only added to Quizzes) 

Use Fudge Points to add extra points to a quiz. Fudge points allow you to manually add or remove points from a student’s overall quiz score. 

Create Extra Credit within a Rubric 

If rubrics are used for assignment grading, add an extra credit criterion to the rubric. Make the rubric worth more than the assignment to allow extra credit without changing the assignment’s original score. 

Create Extra Credit with Assignment Groups 

If you use weighted assignment groups, only assign a weight to the extra credit assignment group at the end of the semester to avoid possible miscalculations. All other grading in the course must be completed before awarding this extra credit. 

When assignment groups are not weighted, create extra credit assignments in a separate, zero-point assignment group to keep them distinct. After students complete the work, manually add points to the Gradebook. 

NOTE: Always clearly explain in the syllabus how extra credit is applied, how it impacts final grades, and any conditions for earning it. 

For more detailed instructions, including visuals and video, please access the How do I give extra credit in a course guide. 

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