Yesterday I checked on the grade I got for the class I took this spring (they only give grades on-line). I figured I had done fairly well; a B- or a B, maybe even a B+. My homework scores were always a 10 or 10+ (max), I finished all the labs, and I was present at every class and every lab (I think only 1 other person did the same). I had a couple of quizzes that I did really well at, but a couple that I got in the lower 80's. Same with the tests. I don't know what my score was for the final exam as he does not give those back, but I figured in the mid 80's.
The way the instructor figures final grades is complicated; homework counts for so much of the grade (10% maybe?), quizes another portion, completing each lab another, lab reports a comprise a portion, tests a portion, and exams the last portion. Points can be deducted for missing one or more classes and points can be added for getting a "+" on any of the above.
The total scores needed for grades were:
- 93% or better for an A
- 90-92.9% for an A-
- 87-89.9% for a B+
- 83-86.9% for a B
- 80-82.9% for a B-
However, this is the only instructor that I have had that grades on a curve - which throws everything off. I don't know how his curve is calculated , but he did say that if he did it the same for each class, our class would be the spoilers for just about every other EL115 class he has taught.
Anyway, when I checked my grade yesterday and was pleasantly surprised when I discovered I got an "A" for the class. Cant' beat that with a stick!
Isn't it pleasant to see that all of your hard work paid off? You make a mother proud! (Not just for your grades.) Congratulations and well done!
Posted by: Cop Car | May 15, 2007 at 08:16 AM
P.S. WIWAK, the brainiacs were call "DARs"--Darned Average Raisers. A bit later, Curve Busters. It's amazing that none of your other profs have graded on a curve...many of mine (maybe half of them?) did. Usually, when they say that they grade on a curve, they really mean that they force a grade distribution (which isn't really on a curve, to me). The "usual" was 10% of the class got A, 20% B, 40% C, 20% D, 10% F. Most did not apply this slavishly, however, but break the curve where there seemed to be natural divisions. Do they give Ds and Fs anymore?
Posted by: Cop Car | May 15, 2007 at 08:23 AM
The only other proffessor that graded on a curve was for a Sales and Marketing. She graded on a curve for the tests only. Everyone hated me because I made the curve (didn't miss any questions) - the next closest were in the 80's (and me, I hate Sales/Marketing - go figure). In that case, the teacher would thorw out X amount of points, until the person with the highest grade got a "100", then add that many points to everyone else's grade.
They still give D's and F's. If the clas is a prerequisit or mandatory for your degree, you have to take it over until you get at least a C-, but the GPA is still figured with the lower score.
Posted by: Bogie | May 15, 2007 at 12:20 PM
congratulations bogie
Posted by: bod | May 15, 2007 at 07:04 PM
"...you have to take it over until you get at least a C-, but the GPA is still figured with the lower score."
That's how MSM figured things; but, WU/WSU did not allow "do-overs". Had I got a grade of F in a required course, I couldn't get a degree from WU (undergraduate). In WSU graduate school, had I been given a D, it would have been the "kiss of death". Go figure. Too (and, I assume this is universal) an undergraduate degree depended upon one's attaining a C average while a graduate degree required a B average.
Posted by: Cop Car | May 16, 2007 at 06:49 PM
Bogie,
You swing your arm around and pat yourself on the back! Congratulations! You should be proud of yourself. I was always a good student(as in I busted my ass). I remember crying once when I got a 95 on a test.....and I was a grown woman at the time.
You did yourself proud! Now go and treat yourself to something absolutely sinful!
Posted by: Matty | May 17, 2007 at 08:14 AM
I treated myself to a couple of pre-calc books to study up before I take the math course next semester.
Since those really don't seem to fit "sinful", I ordered a couple of mini roses for the garden. Maybe that is more decadent with the amount of plants that we have LOL.
Posted by: bogie | May 20, 2007 at 06:53 AM
Matty--Gee, Matty...some of us would cry for getting a 95 on a test...with joy. You and Bogie set high standards for yourselves and "bust your asses" to meet/exceed them. Good on both of you!!!
Posted by: Cop Car | May 20, 2007 at 12:27 PM
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO! Congrats on the great grade!
Like Cop Car, my college teachers frequently graded on the curve. Thinking back, I'm surprised that they did!
At the University of Illinois if you were pulling a C in a graduatate class, that was a BAD THING! I'd say you needed a B average to stay in the program.
At any rate, keep up the good work. It pays off!
Posted by: buffy | May 21, 2007 at 10:35 PM