Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: $Revision: 1.6.2.16 $; site uokvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!uokvax!jab From: jab@uokvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.college Subject: Re: Grade Scales? Message-ID: <12500004@uokvax.UUCP> Date: Wed, 26-Sep-84 21:58:00 EDT Article-I.D.: uokvax.12500004 Posted: Wed Sep 26 21:58:00 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 28-Sep-84 06:41:06 EDT References: <2100001@ea.UUCP> Lines: 41 Nf-ID: #R:ea:2100001:uokvax:12500004:000:1532 Nf-From: uokvax!jab Sep 26 20:58:00 1984 /***** uokvax:net.college / ea!mwm / 3:32 pm Sep 24, 1984 */ A 80-100 B 60-80 C 40-60 D 20-40 F 0-20 /* ---------- */ This is a really kinda strange grading scale, also. Are you trying to tell me that a student who misses 4 questions out of 5 still passes the class? That doesn't sound like a reasonable system, either. There is something to be said about "mandatory bell curve" methods of grading: I don't agree with that scheme, but it helps with this particular problem. To be realistic, you would really like to grade the questions on the test: i) This question tests knowledge of the material (able to recite theorems, apply directly, able to work test problem very similar to homework problem) ii) This question tests understanding of the material (able to apply theorems in non-obvious ways, able to generalize or mimic theorems, able to work test problem by applying homework problem) Then make the grading scale relative to the questions: i) To receive a passing grade, you must pass 80% of the 'knowledge of the material'; to receive an 'A' or 'B', you must pass 90% of the 'knowledge of the material' questions. ii) For the second kind of question, you must pass 25% - D 50% - C 75% - B 85-90% - A That way, a "passing grade" means that you know MOST of the material in the course, at least on a casual basis; a high grade means that you understand most of the material in the course. Of course, I wouldn't like to be the one grading the questions. Jeff Bowles Lisle, IL