Written by Scottk | Translated by Ehow Contributor
Most people know that academic performance generally refers to how well a student is accomplishing his or her tasks and studies, but there are quite a number of factors that determine the level and quality of students' academic performance.
Grades
Certainly the most well-known indicator of academic performance, grades are the student's "score" for their classes and overall tenure. Grades are most often a tallying or average of assignment and test scores and may often be affected by factors such as attendance and instructor opinion of the student as well. Grading systems vary greatly by country and school; common scales include a percentage from 1-100, lettering systems from A-F, and grade point averages (GPA) from 0-4.0 or above.
Attendance
It would be difficult to perform well in class if the student doesn't attend. In public grade schools, attendance is compulsory and numerous unexcused absences may lead to notifying the students' parents, barring of make-up work for missed assignments and tests, or direct affects on grades. In extreme instances, parents have even been taken to court and given jail time for their truant students!
Standardized Tests
Standardized tests are those that provide a consistent measure of a student's performance with those that take the same test, often nationwide. Standardized tests include the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT), the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, and the California Achievement Test (CAT). As the testing procedures and scoring are consistent regardless where the test is taken, standardised tests can provide a more direct representation of the taker's knowledge and aptitude than his or her grade in school.
Extra-curricular Activities
Although by definition voluntary, involvement in extra-curricular activities such as sports, volunteer work, and school newspapers develop and showcase student initiative and leadership