points quibbling?

[dmf2682]

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Hey all,

So this in regards to my organic exam where I got a B+. Yeah, I'll take an 88 any day, but in looking at how the prof graded it it looks like I lost 8 out of the 12 points from not explaining things enough, despite having the problem done correctly. This is after being told I'm explaining way too much on the first exam, and other quizzes.

I'm really not looking for more points here, and don't really care if he regrades it or not. I'm just looking to understand what he wants so in the future I can really nail other exams. As this is my first "difficult" BCPM class of my post-bac and I'm going to have this professor for the whole year of organic, I'm not sure how to proceed since I really want a LOR from him. Do I try to get my answer even though I might seem like I'm quibbling, or do I sit tight and try and puzzle out what he wants and hope I get it right for the rest of the year?

thanks!
dmf

 

[blue0rchid]

IMO, definitely ask him exactly what detail needs to be in the answers to get full credit for the questions. If anything, just say you really want to score well in the next exam, and even though you understood the questions in this exam, you didn't score as well as you hoped. So you're just here to learn to do better next time.

 

[theseeker4]

IMO, definitely ask him exactly what detail needs to be in the answers to get full credit for the questions. If anything, just say you really want to score well in the next exam, and even though you understood the questions in this exam, you didn't score as well as you hoped. So you're just here to learn to do better next time.

+1 If you go in and discuss it conversationally, and not ask for or expect any additional points on the questions, I don't think he will get angry or frustrated with you. Just tell him up front that you accept your grade, and do not want or expect him to give you any extra points on that exam, but you are confused about exactly how much information/explanation he wants based on his advice to tone it down previously. As long as you don't have a confrontational relationship with him already, and don't open up with a confrontational tone, I don't think asking for clarification will hurt your relationship with your prof, and think you should definitely talk to him.

 

[n3xa]

IMO, definitely ask him exactly what detail needs to be in the answers to get full credit for the questions. If anything, just say you really want to score well in the next exam, and even though you understood the questions in this exam, you didn't score as well as you hoped. So you're just here to learn to do better next time.

As someone with previous teaching experience in organic, this. All day, erryday.

Besides, it was always these students who approached me like this ended up doing well anyway.