A weighted average is an average where certain values count more heavily than others. This is very common in Belgian education where exams, for example, weigh more heavily than daily tests.
With a regular (arithmetic) average, you add up all grades and divide by the number of grades. With a weighted average, you give some grades more 'weight' than others.
This is useful when not all components are equally important. For example: an exam that determines 60% of your final grade is more important than an assignment worth 10%.
The formula is:
Weighted average = Σ(grade × weight) / Σ(weight)
This means: multiply each grade by its weight, add up all results, and divide by the sum of all weights.
Suppose you have these results for a subject:
- Exam: 14/20 (weight: 60%)
- Major test: 16/20 (weight: 25%)
- Assignments: 12/20 (weight: 15%)
Calculation: (14×60 + 16×25 + 12×15) / (60+25+15) = (840 + 400 + 180) / 100 = 1420 / 100
Weighted average = 14.2/20
In Belgian schools, different components have different weights:
- Exams: often count the most (40-60%)
- Major tests: usually 20-30%
- Assignments and tasks: often 10-20%
- Oral evaluations: variable per subject
You can find the exact weights in Smartschool or ask your teacher.
At Belgian universities, ECTS (study credits) are used as weights. A course of 6 ECTS counts twice as much as a course of 3 ECTS.
This is important for your diploma average and possible distinctions (cum laude, magna cum laude).
Use our calculator to quickly and easily calculate your weighted average. Enter your grades and weights and see the result instantly.