Weighted Average Mark explained
What is a WAM (Weighted Average Mark)?
Answer ID 347 | Last updated on 05/10/2023 02.15 PM
Your WAM, or Weighted Average Mark, is a numerical value out of 100 that is calculated based on the mark you have received in each unit. It is the average mark you achieve across the units you have completed in your course. It includes all your unit attempts within a course, and each course you have undertaken will have a different WAM.
Your WAM is reported on your Statement of Academic Record and can be found on your studentConnect by clicking 'Course & Unit' and then 'Progress Status'. Your WAM will only appear on your Statement of Academic Record if you commenced your course from 2005 onwards.
Note on awards with distinction: For postgraduate coursework courses where distinction may be awarded, the WAM displayed in the student management system (Callista), in studentConnect and reported in associated documents such as official academic transcripts, is derived from units completed under that course. This may be different to the WAM calculated to determine eligibility for award of a degree with distinction. If in doubt, check your course rules for details of the calculation method for determining award with distinction.
Note on transferring between courses: Students who transfer between new courses will have their advanced standing awarded as ‘duplicate credit’ and the mark(s) will be counted towards their new course WAM. Students transferring credit from old courses, awarded advanced standing based on previous studies from another institution, or students who are in a postgraduate course will only see the reflected credit points achieved on their record. These marks will not be carried over and are not used to calculate their WAM.
Note on withdrawing from units: If you withdraw from a unit before the academic penalty date, these units will not count towards your WAM. However, if you withdraw after the academic penalty date, a mark of 0 will count towards your WAM.
Every unit has an assigned number of credit points, and for every unit you complete (including fails) you receive a mark and grade. To calculate your WAM, achievable unit points are compared against the mark received.
If you're unsure how a grade has impacted your WAM, get in touch with us.
Please use the UWA Calculator to find your WAM.
Formula used to calculate your WAM:
Your WAM is calculated using these values with the formula:
Example: Jane Smith
First year student, Jane Smith, has completed her first year of economics. Her WAM would be calculated as follows:
| Unit | Credit Value | Mark | Grade |
| ECON1101 |
6
|
85
|
HD |
| ECON1102 |
6
|
66
|
CR |
| ACCT1101 |
6
|
72
|
D |
| MGMT1135 |
6
|
48
|
N |
| MKTG1203 |
6
|
55
|
P |
| STAT1520 |
6
|
83
|
HD |
| ANHB1101 |
6
|
-
|
WP |
| VISA1051 |
6
|
-
|
FN |
Sum (unit credits x unit mark)
= ( 6 x 85) + ( 6 x 66) + ( 6 x 72) + ( 6 x 48) + ( 6 x 55) + ( 6 x 83) + ( 6 x NA) + ( 6 x 0)
= 2453.99
Sum credit points
= ( 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6)
= 42
2453.99 divided by 42
= 58.42
Jane accidentally enrolled into ANHB1101; which she realised after the first week and quickly withdrew, which you can see from the WP. She then enrolled into VISA1051.
You'll notice the calculation for ANHB1101 is struck out; this is because Jane withdrew before the academic penalty date. However, Jane also withdrew from VISA1051, but she did this after the academic penalty date, so while there is no final mark for the unit, she did receive a ‘0’ for her mark value.
So Jane's first year WAM is 58.42