If you work in a Nigerian school, you have heard the word "broadsheet" at the end of every term. Teachers ask for it, the principal signs it, and report cards are copied from it. But what is a broadsheet in school results, and how do you prepare one without errors?
A broadsheet is a single large table that shows every pupil in a class and their scores in every subject for the term. It is the master record from which report cards, positions and promotion decisions are taken.
What a broadsheet contains
Each row is one pupil. Each group of columns is one subject. A good broadsheet shows:
- The pupil's name and admission number, so nobody is mixed up.
- Scores in every subject, usually split into continuous assessment (CA) and exam, then the total.
- The total score and the average across all subjects.
- The position in class, from the highest total to the lowest.
- Attendance and remarks, if the school records them.
A simple sample layout
| Name | Maths CA | Maths Exam | Maths Total | English CA | English Exam | English Total | Grand total | Average | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pupil A | 32 | 54 | 86 | 30 | 48 | 78 | 164 | 82.0 | 1st |
| Pupil B | 28 | 50 | 78 | 33 | 52 | 85 | 163 | 81.5 | 2nd |
A real broadsheet has one set of columns for every subject, so it quickly becomes very wide. That is why many schools print it on A3 paper or landscape pages.
How to prepare a broadsheet by hand
- Collect the final scores from every subject teacher by a fixed date. Ask for CA and exam scores separately, plus the total.
- Enter them in one row per pupil. Keep the pupils in the same order as the class register.
- Check every total. Add CA and exam again, and make sure none is above the maximum score for that part.
- Add the grand total and work out the average. Read how to calculate the average score for report cards for the steps.
- Arrange the pupils from highest total to lowest and write the position. See how to calculate class position and handle ties.
- Have a second person check it before anything is copied to a report card.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing scores. A blank can mean "absent" or "forgot to enter". Agree on one sign for absent and never leave an empty cell.
- Scores above the maximum. A CA score of 42 in a section marked out of 40 is a typing error that changes positions.
- Wrong order of pupils. Copying a row to the wrong name is the most common source of complaints from parents.
- Different subjects for different classes. Make sure the subject list matches what the class actually studied.
Why schools move away from paper broadsheets
A paper broadsheet takes days to prepare and one wrong number can change many positions. Every correction means rewriting columns. Many schools therefore keep scores in a system that adds the totals, works out the averages and positions, and prints the broadsheet in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a broadsheet and a report card?
A broadsheet shows the whole class on one sheet, for the school's use. A report card shows one pupil's results, for the parent. The report card is copied from the broadsheet.
Who should keep the broadsheet?
The school keeps it as a permanent record. The class teacher prepares it, the examination officer or vice principal checks it, and the principal signs it.
How long should a school keep old broadsheets?
Keep them for as long as your school's policy and your state or school owner's guidance require. Pupils often come back years later for transcripts or confirmation of results, so many schools keep them permanently.
Can a broadsheet be printed from a computer?
Yes. When scores are kept in a school system, the broadsheet is produced from the same scores that go on the report cards, so the two always agree.
How StudyPat helps
In StudyPat, teachers enter scores once, and the broadsheet for each class and term shows every pupil and subject with the totals and positions worked out for you. You can filter the subjects you want to see, correct a score in one place, and print. The report cards use the same scores, so nothing needs to be copied twice.