Frustration about grading scales

[jim85213]

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Okay I have to vent a little. Every prerequisite science course (bio, chem, ochem, and physics) I have taken has been graded on a straight A, B, C, D & F scale. None of my professors in these courses have graded on a plus/minus scale. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I am a good, solid B student. The reason I am frustrated is because I always (and I really mean always) end up with a 87%, 88%, or 89% in these courses and I get the same grade that the people with 79.5% or 80% get. My GPA, SGPA, and BCP could be higher if my professors had used a plus/minus scale. Anyone else share my frustration? Let's feed off of each other and become victims

 

[Old School]

Okay I have to vent a little. Every prerequisite science course (bio, chem, ochem, and physics) I have taken has been graded on a straight A, B, C, D & F scale. None of my professors in these courses have graded on a plus/minus scale. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I am a good, solid B student. The reason I am frustrated is because I always (and I really mean always) end up with a 87%, 88%, or 89% in these courses and I get the same grade that the people with 79.5% or 80% get. My GPA, SGPA, and BCP could be higher if my professors had used a plus/minus scale. Anyone else share my frustration? Let's feed off of each other and become victims

I made a point to go to the faculty at my undergrad institution and let them know this. It's in their best interest for students to get admitted to graduate schools as well.

 

[bruinpredent]

Okay I have to vent a little. Every prerequisite science course (bio, chem, ochem, and physics) I have taken has been graded on a straight A, B, C, D & F scale. None of my professors in these courses have graded on a plus/minus scale. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I am a good, solid B student. The reason I am frustrated is because I always (and I really mean always) end up with a 87%, 88%, or 89% in these courses and I get the same grade that the people with 79.5% or 80% get. My GPA, SGPA, and BCP could be higher if my professors had used a plus/minus scale. Anyone else share my frustration? Let's feed off of each other and become victims

try having organic chem lab courses that are graded straight scale, no curve, the lab reports are normalized (scores LOWERED to level the playing field), professors don't give + or -, and having professors for these classes who are always on probation for failing too many students.


thats just the way it works, my friend...i'm sure its pretty much like that everywhere, atleast in one department or another. you just have to be impressed by those students who, dispite all this, still come out with 4.0's and strive to do as well as you possibly can

 

[jim85213]

I made a point to go to the faculty at my undergrad institution and let them know this. It's in their best interest for students to get admitted to graduate schools as well.

I have talked to the faculty but to no avail. That's a good point though I should try again and use that argument.

 

[jim85213]

thats just the way it works, my friend...i'm sure its pretty much like that everywhere, atleast in one department or another. you just have to be impressed by those students who, dispite all this, still come out with 4.0's and strive to do as well as you possibly can

You're right...I just had to blow off some steam. Hats off to those that can pull 4.0's or A's in those courses (which seems like everyone on SDN).

 

[Fuji]

Careful what you ask for. The +/- system is nice when you are borderline between grades, but if you get an A- it will forever bring down a 4.0 GPA. You can't make it up because there is no A+.

 

[wizziefiend]

Careful what you ask for. The +/- system is nice when you are borderline between grades, but if you get an A- it will forever bring down a 4.0 GPA. You can't make it up because there is no A+.

Yeah....I don't think schools care ALL that much. I doubt the +/- would make or break your acceptance. Your interview could easily go either way.

At all my interviews there has been such a wide range of GPAs. Every dental school accepts 4.0 students......but they also accept plenty of 3.5 or below to drag averages down to where they are!!

But yeah, vent on SDN....it's good

 

[Go Navy!!!]

Careful what you ask for. The +/- system is nice when you are borderline between grades, but if you get an A- it will forever bring down a 4.0 GPA. You can't make it up because there is no A+.

I'm with you on this one...there is nothing worse than getting an A-! It brings you down from a 4.0 to a 3.6. This is especially frustrating when the grades are somewhat subjective anyways!