* Weight of the assignment: A zero on a small quiz will impact your grade far less than a zero on a major exam or project. A 10% quiz with a zero will hurt less than a 40% final exam with a zero.
* Your current grade: If you have mostly A's, a single zero will hurt less than if you're already struggling with a low average.
* Grading scale: The grading scale used (e.g., 100-point, percentage, weighted average) directly affects how a zero is calculated.
* Number of assignments: A zero carries more weight in a course with few assignments than in one with many assignments.
There's no single answer to how many points a zero "brings down" your grade. You need to calculate the impact based on the specific information for your class. Many grade calculators are available online to help you figure this out if you input your current grade, the weight of the assignment you received a zero on, and the number of remaining assignments.