Quiz Drop Calculator
Drop the lowest quiz and see the new average, points gained, and adjusted total.
What it does
Many courses drop the lowest quiz so one bad day cannot sink a term. The gain depends on how far the low score sits from the rest, which is why a 65 among 90s lifts more than a 78 among 80s.
The tool above takes total points, lowest score, and quiz count. It returns the average after drop, points gained over the full average, and the adjusted total, so 425 over 5 with a 65 dropped reads as 90.00, up 5.00 pts.
This math fits equal weight quizzes with one drop. It does not fit weighted categories, dropped assignments across different point values, or curves applied after the drop.
Study guidance frames drops as variance control: spaced active review with self quizzing steadies scores so the dropped low is a true outlier, not the pattern.
Enter posted points, not percents. Mixing percent scores with point totals is the fastest way to get a wrong dropped average.
How to use
- Add all quiz points for the total.
- Enter the single lowest quiz score.
- Enter how many quizzes that total covers.
- Read adjusted total first for the new numerator.
- Read dropped average for the gradebook line.
- Read points gained to see what the drop was worth.
Formula
- total
- Sum of all quiz points including the low.
- lowest
- Single lowest quiz score removed.
- count
- How many quizzes the total covers.
Count must be at least 2 so one quiz remains. Lowest cannot sit above the total. Equal weight quizzes only, since weights need their own category math.
Worked example
Example: 425 points over 5 quizzes, low 65
Total 425, lowest 65, count 5 quizzes.
- Overall: 425 / 5 = 85.00.
- Adjusted: 425 - 65 = 360.
- Dropped: 360 / 4 = 90.00.
- Gain: 90 - 85 = 5.00 pts.
- Tool shows average 90.00, gained 5.00 pts, total 360.
Reference table
| Total | Lowest | Dropped average |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | 70 | 82.50 |
| 425 | 65 | 90.00 |
| 450 | 80 | 92.50 |
Limits
- One drop only. Two drops need a second run.
- Equal weights only. Weighted categories differ.
- Points only. Percent mixes need conversion first.
- Curves after the drop sit outside this average.
Common mistakes
- Dividing by full count instead of count minus one.
- Entering percents beside point totals.
- Dropping the wrong quiz when two tie low.
- Forgetting the gain is against overall, not against 100.
- Assuming the drop fixes a pattern of low scores.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
300 points over 4 quizzes, low 40?
Average 86.67, gained 11.67 pts, total 260.
240 points over 3 quizzes, low 60?
Average 90.00, gained 10.00 pts, total 180.
360 points over 4 quizzes, low 72?
Average 96.00, gained 6.00 pts, total 288.
Questions
How do I average after dropping the lowest?
Subtract the low from the total, then divide by one fewer quiz.
What are points gained?
Dropped average minus full average. It shows what the drop was worth.
Can I drop two quizzes?
Run twice. Remove the lowest, then run again on the new total and count.
Do weights change this?
Yes. Weighted categories need points times weights, not this equal weight page.
What if two quizzes tie low?
Drop one of them. The total and count change the same either way.
Should I skip the last quiz?
No. A zero becomes the new low and drops instead, wasting the policy.