Why Your Grades Might Not Match Your LMS' or Teacher's

If your Helium grade looks different from the grade your teacher or LMS is showing you, it's usually due to category weighting differences or missing/ungraded assignments.

Common Causes

• Your teacher uses points-based grading, but your class in Helium has Weight (%) set for one or more categories
• A category's Weight (%) is incorrect
• An assignment is in the wrong category
• Ungraded assignments are affecting the calculation
• Attendance is graded but not set up in Helium
• Term or class date mismatch

Steps to Fix

In Classes, confirm your categories:

• The Weight (%) for each category must match the syllabus
• Ensure all categories in the syllabus are also present in Helium
• Ensure the total weight of all categories adds up to 100%
• If no weights were provided in the syllabus and the class does not use weighted grading, ensure Weight (%) is unset for all categories

On the Planner, check that assignments are categorized correctly.

Review ungraded items—any assignment not marked as Complete with a grade entered will not be factored in.

If attendance is graded:

• Add an Attendance category to the class
• Create a single assignment in that category, with its date at or near the end of the term
• Mark it as Complete and grade it accordingly

Double-check term and class dates—the start and end dates you set for the term and class affect which assignments are calculated and how grades are displayed. Adjust dates to ensure all assignments fall within the class and term date range.

Related Articles

• How Helium Calculates Your Grades
• Setting Up Weighted Grading & Assignment Categories
• Why Your Grade Graph Shows Sudden Drops or Spikes

Helium Classic

The same steps apply in Helium Classic. The key navigation differences are:

• Classes is found under the Planner menu; the category weight field is labeled Weight (not "Weight (%)")
• Assignments can be reviewed on the Calendar

Helium Classic will remain available through at least Summer 2026.