How to compute CA and exam results in a Nigerian school

Most Nigerian schools combine continuous assessment (CA) and an end-of-term exam into one score for each subject. This guide shows how that is done, with a worked example you can follow with a calculator, and where mistakes usually creep in.

Last updated 21 October 2026 · about 6 minute read

Step 1: Decide how the 100 marks are split

Every subject is scored out of 100. The usual split is CA 30 and Exam 70, but schools differ: some use CA 40 and Exam 60, and some split CA into two tests (for example CA1 15, CA2 15). Whatever you choose, the parts must add up to 100 for every subject, and your teachers must all use the same split for the same class.

Step 2: Add CA and exam to get the subject total

For each student and subject, total = CA + Exam. For example, Ada scored 24 out of 30 in CA and 52 out of 70 in the exam in Mathematics. Her Mathematics total is 24 + 52 = 76.

Step 3: Give each total a grade

A grading scale turns a total into a grade and a remark. A common WAEC-style scale looks like this (your school’s scale may differ, so always use your own):

Step 4: Work out the average for the term

Add up a student’s subject totals and divide by the number of subjects the student took. Here is Ada’s term:

Step 5: Position the students

Rank students from the highest average to the lowest. The student with the highest average is 1st. When two students have exactly the same average, they share the same position. Always rank within one class (or one arm, if your school ranks by arm), never across different classes.

Step 6: Add remarks and personal qualities

A good report card also carries a class teacher’s remark, a principal’s remark, and often ratings for qualities such as punctuality, neatness and politeness. Writing the same remark for every “A” student by hand wastes hours. Write one remark per grade band, apply it to the class, and then adjust individual children.

Common mistakes to avoid

• A score above the maximum, such as 34 out of 30, usually a typing slip. Check every score is within its maximum.
• Divisions that do not add up to 100, so some subjects are out of 90 and others out of 110.
• Gaps in the grading scale. Bands of 40 to 44 and 45 to 49 leave a score like 44.5 with no grade when scores can have decimals.
• Dividing by the wrong number of subjects for students who skip some subjects.
• Changing scores after the report cards were sent, which causes disputes. Lock results once they are published.

Doing this in StudyPat

Want to try the sums on one student first? Use the free CA and exam score calculator, the WAEC grade converter and the class position calculator. StudyPat does steps 2 to 5 for you. You set your score divisions (for example CA 30 and Exam 70) and your grading scale once. Teachers type scores, and every total, grade, average and position appears on the broadsheet and the report cards automatically. Scores above the maximum are caught as they are typed, and you get a warning if your divisions do not add up to 100 or your grading scale has a gap. See how StudyPat processes results.