How Your Grades Are Determined

Grading Scales: Each graded item has its own grading scale. For exams I do not decide on the grading scale until after I see the results of the exam; in that sense the grades are "curved". In the example below,

• the first midterm has a scale of A:42, B:35, C:28, D:26
• the second midterm has a scale of A:43, B:36, C:28, D:26
• the final exam has a scale of A:170, B:140, C:110, D:100
• the projects have a scale of A:10, B:8, C:6, D:5
• the homework (HWAvg) has a grading scale of A:100, B:80, C: 60, D:50

Spreadsheet: I record all the grades and grading scales on a spreadsheet. There are five extra "students": Max, A, B, C, and D.  For Max I record the number of points on which the grades are based. (This isn't truly a maximum as students sometimes score higher than this number, especially for homework.) The numbers for the grading scales are entered for A, B, C, and D. I will place the cut-offs at gaps in the scores, whenever this is possible.
    Notice that I never enter a letter grade for anything, just a numerical score. So when Sally Smurkle received a 34 on the first midterm, which was one point short of a B, it was not recorded as a C. This means that Sally only needs to make up that one point somewhere else if she wants to get a B for the class.

Totals: I enter into the spreadsheet a formula to calculate the total points (on a basis of 100) for each student, including the five extra "students". This formula must make sure that each item actually counts for the advertised percentage of your grade. In this case the formula used was Total = 0.12*2*(Mid1+Mid2)+0.3*Final/2+Project+0.36*HWAvg. The Max points must total to 100; making sure of this prevents mistakes in the formula for the Total.

Grades: Assigning grades is now simple in principle. In order to get an A, you must get at least as many points as the "A" student, similarly for B, C, and D. If you have fewer points than the "D" student, you receive an F. Five students (with their names changed) are included so you can see some actual examples.

Adjustments: When a student is very close to, but slightly below, the required number of points, I will often give the higher grade anyway. This was the case with Sally Smurkle above, who received 74.66 when 74.84 was required for a B. Since Sally generally did B to C+ work but had one bad midterm exam, it made sense to give a B. I prefer to place the cut-offs for diffent grades at gaps in the total scores; when this is not possible I will look for gaps in the final exam scores.

Passing Grades: In order to earn to passing grade you must pass at least one exam. In other words, if you fail all exams, you will receive an "F" for the course, regardless of what your point total says.