Professor graded my exam wrong (should be lower). Do I inform him?

[gochi]

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Haha..the biggest stereotype just got diminished right when people responded...

 

[bigDee]

I disagree with this.

It's harder to get a good letter of rec if your prof thinks you're an idiot... and he will think the OP is an idiot if the OP goes up and asks for a lower grade.

.

 

[ghostfoot]

What about when we go back and talk to a professor about points that we should have gotten and he refuses to budge?

Sometimes the system screws you, and sometimes you screw the system.

If you really "should have gotten" the points, appeal for them. If you got points that you know you shouldn't have, it's cheating not to say anything.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

That's the second time in this thread you've made that claim. Could you elaborate on it? How far would you extend that? For example, many students will speak to their professor if they receive a surprisingly low final grade. On occasion, the professor will have misgraded their final exam, or made some other error which affected their final grade. Now, if a student were to receive a final grade which was surprisingly high, would they have to say, "I would have had to get a 99 on the final to get that A. There's no way I got a 99. I'd better talk to the professor and see if he made a mistake"?

If not, what's the difference? Discuss. I'm getting all farklempt.

To elaborate on my previous comment, here are some quotes from different schools' honor codes:

University of Virginia:

By today's standard, an honor offense is defined as an intentional act of lying, cheating or stealing which warrants permanent dismissal from the University. Three criteria determine whether or not an honor offense has occurred:

* Act: Was the act of lying, cheating or stealing committed?
* Intent: Was the act committed willfully or intentionally?
* Non-triviality: Would open toleration of such an act impair the community of trust sufficiently enough to warrant permanent dismissal from the University?

Princeton:

Under the honor system, the students assume full responsibility for honesty in written examinations. Examinations are not supervised. The instructor in charge distributes the examination papers, waits for a short time for any questions, and then leaves the room, returning at the end of the stated period to collect the answer books. On each examination paper, the student writes out and signs the following statement: "I pledge my honor that I have not violated the honor code during this examination.''

Hmmm... I've been procrastinating doing a lab report, and I'm too lazy to look around much more, but if you can find an honor code which would consider this situation to be cheating, please post it here.

 

[ghostfoot]

That's the second time in this thread you've made that claim. Could you elaborate on it? How far would you extend that? For example, many students will speak to their professor if they receive a surprisingly low final grade. On occasion, the professor will have misgraded their final exam, or made some other error which affected their final grade. Now, if a student were to receive a final grade which was surprisingly high, would they have to say, "I would have had to get a 99 on the final to get that A. There's no way I got a 99. I'd better talk to the professor and see if he made a mistake"?

If not, what's the difference? Discuss. I'm getting all farklempt.

I hope that I can clarify my stance for you.

If you think that you must have scored higher than the teacher says, ask to see the graded exam.

If the teacher returns some graded assignment and you can see that a mistake was made in adding up the points, that needs to be brought to the teacher's attention. Whether it was in your favor or not, if there was an obvious mistake in adding up the points, you should point that out.

If the grocery store clerk gives you the wrong change, wouldn't you say something? It's the same thing.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

I hope that I can clarify my stance for you.

If you think that you must have scored higher than the teacher says, ask to see the graded exam.

If the teacher returns some graded assignment and you can see that a mistake was made in adding up the points, that needs to be brought to the teacher's attention. Whether it was in your favor or not, if there was an obvious mistake in adding up the points, you should point that out.

If the grocery store clerk gives you the wrong change, wouldn't you say something? It's the same thing.

That wasn't my question. What if you think must have scored LOWER than the teacher says?

And no, it's not the same as getting the wrong change. In that case, you have received money which belongs to someone else. The extra points are not an item which belong to the professor and must be returned.

 

[ghostfoot]

That wasn't my question. What if you think must have scored LOWER than the teacher says?.

If the teacher clearly specified his grading procedure and you think that something's amiss, speak up.

And no, it's not the same as getting the wrong change. In that case, you have received money which belongs to someone else. The extra points are not an item which belong to the professor and must be returned.

It's not exactly the same because it's an analogy. I think it's a good analogy though; you're taking something that's not yours.

 

[Vihsadas]

If you really "should have gotten" the points, appeal for them. If you got points that you know you shouldn't have, it's cheating not to say anything.

What if you appeal and nothing happens? Professors refusing to admit their mistakes is not an uncommon situation. You are assuming that professors are by and far more morally virtuous than students. I have been wronged in such a fashion and yes I appealed to higher ranks in the university. The general sentiment was 'tough luck.'

 

[Daydreamer2008]

Going to keep this short and sweet.

Just had our first Biochem exam. I scored a 97. However, my prof seems to have missed marking one of the multiple choice problems (there was no check or X next to it). It was 5 points, and when we went over the exam today in class, I found I had got it wrong. So, I should have a 92.

Should I tell him? This post may be laughable to some, as this is only 5 points. On one hand, I want the grade I deserve. Then again, how often do you get breaks such as this?

What should I do? Take the 97 and forget about it?

most professors I've had in the past have said that if you actually scored higher, tell them. otherwise just don't say anything at all....but I guess depends how specific this professor was...

 

[ghostfoot]

What if you appeal and nothing happens? Professors refusing to admit their mistakes is not an uncommon situation. You are assuming that professors are by and far more morally virtuous than students. I have been wronged in such a fashion and yes I appealed to higher ranks in the university. The general sentiment was 'tough luck.'

I'm not assuming anything about the professors or anyone else.

I'm only saying that you should do the honest thing.

Choose what you do wisely, do your best at it, and be honest. It has nothing to do with the honesty of others; be accountable for YOUR actions.

 

[suwaifo]

be honest to your friends, be honest to your family, but when it comes to everything else, do everything you can to gain the advantage.

This is the worst advice I've ever seen. Are you serious?

Doctors are supposed to be compassionate and help people in need regardless of their personalities. I am not a doctor yet and you are not sick so

To the OP: If you don't turn yourself in, you're no different than any other cheater. If you choose not to, you will probably delude yourself with some excuses anyway and not be effected by this moral dilemma because you already killed your insides.

"Sometimes the system screws you, and sometimes you screw the system."
Cry more. Who hasn't been screwed? Just because you have been wronged doesn't all of a sudden let you wrong others back.

Come on people, these are things that even little kids know.

 

[Dienekes]

Doctors are supposed to be compassionate and help people in need regardless of their personalities.

That was the best retort you could come up with?

To the OP: If you don't turn yourself in, you're no different than any other cheater.

Yes, because you are obviously the best judge of morals in this entire thread. The fact that the OP obviously did something to cause the prof to screw it up should also be kept in mind!

If you choose not to, you will probably delude yourself with some excuses anyway and not be effected by this moral dilemma because you already killed your insides.

The ability to delude oneself is a vital survival mechanism. Give the delusional nature of the opening line of your reply to this thread, I would expect you to be an expert on the subject of misleading oneself.

 

[suwaifo]

Alright, I don't know how to do mini quote things so I won't. I also don't feel like doing it. Here goes,

"That was the best retort you could come up with?"

This wasn't a retort, this was me saying that I'm not a doctor and he's not my patient but I guess this may have been unnecessary since I guess no one gets it.

"Yes, because you are obviously the best judge of morals in this entire thread. The fact that the OP obviously did something to cause the prof to screw it up should also be kept in mind! "

I didn't do any judging. A test is supposed to be a measure of one's capacity to succeed. Getting extra points(cheating, in whatever form) makes the test lose its own value and significance. The test becomes invalidated, or at least don't call it a real test and don't expect people to get information about you from this test. Now if you want me to do some judging, then ok, but I'm not in a position to do so and neither are you, and believe me, I have many opinions.

"The ability to delude oneself is a vital survival mechanism. Give the delusional nature of the opening line of your reply to this thread, I would expect you to be an expert on the subject of misleading oneself."

Give it a break, I took psychology. I refrained using pretentious terms like delude and vital survival mechanism to get the main point across. Yeah, I know it's a self defense mechanism. It's called rationalizing. Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors showed a good example of this.


You are weak. 'Nuff said. We have the capacity for rational thought for a reason.

 

[Dienekes]

This wasn't a retort, this was me saying that I'm not a doctor and he's not my patient but I guess this may have been unnecessary since I guess no one gets it.

Actually, I was referring to the whole dead horse comment about doctors needing to be compassionate. I was trying to avoid replying with "****ing duh?"

Getting extra points(cheating, in whatever form) makes the test lose its own value and significance.

Then it would be the fault of the professor that the test lost its value and significance. It is no different than saying that someone who does research is responsible if they screw up their statistical analysis, not the end user of the results. I see no cheating on the part of the OP, and I grade people in what is often accused of being an excessively harsh manner. Of course, I also won a debate while arguing the pro side of using napalm on civilian populations (anyone wants to read the paper, PM me) so I guess my morals might be a little less "stick up ***- tractor required for extraction" than those possessed by certain other persons.

Give it a break, I took psychology.

Ooooh. I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were an expert on the subject. 🙄

I refrained using pretentious terms like delude and vital survival mechanism to get the main point across.

Actually I didn't use anything. That part of my comment was a quote I saw once.

Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors showed a good example of this.

Let me get this straight. You "took psychology" and your best example to proffer is a crappy movie?

 

[suwaifo]

Then it would be the fault of the professor that the test lost its value and significance. It is no different than saying that someone who does research is responsible if they screw up their statistical analysis, not the end user of the results. I see no cheating on the part of the OP, and I grade people in what is often accused of being an excessively harsh manner. Of course, I also won a debate while arguing the pro side of using napalm on civilian populations (anyone wants to read the paper, PM me) so I guess my morals might be a little less "stick up ***- tractor required for extraction" than those possessed by certain other persons.

These are two different situations. The professors screwing up already happened and should not be a factor in this new situation. I don't know how you can win any debate with the way you are wording your example. I didn't have to limit my argument to one example but for the sake of my time and of how much I care, I did. Way to change subjects. What do your morals have to do with anything? I just used cold hard reason.

Oh and don't flatter yourself, Jonathon Swift beat you.

 

[Dienekes]

These are two different situations. The professors screwing up already happened and should not be a factor in this new situation. I don't know how you can win any debate with the way you are wording your example. I didn't have to limit my argument to one example but for the sake of my time and of how much I care, I did. Way to change subjects.

OK, whatever. However, I do not believe the OP has an implicit duty to report the error of the professor. This is especially the case since there is no way to prove that he was aware of the error. It basically becomes a nice little debate topic, but a circular and ultimately pointless one.

What do your morals have to do with anything?

It is completely a matter of ethics (or morals, depending upon how you want to phrase it). You are arguing that to not report the error is immoral or unethical.

I just used cold hard reason.

If you say so....

 

[alex21]

Yes, tell your professor. They will absolutely appreciate your honesty, and I would guess more likely than not keep your grade the same. Worst case scenario, you will just get a lower A, but it won't be a surprise. The prof will be surprised and probably shocked by your honesty. If you say nothing, it will constantly bother you and maybe affect your future scores or studying. I would also guess your professor would respect your honesty, and probably do what he can to write you some sort of recommendation. Haha, as my Catholic family would tell me, not telling is a lie of omission.

 

[Dienekes]

Haha, as my Catholic family would tell me, not telling is a lie of omission.

Catholicism- damned if you do, damned if you don't.

If you say nothing, it will constantly bother you and maybe affect your future scores or studying.

This is where a lack of appreciable morals would come in handy.

 

[Hyperstudyosis]

This happened to me last semester and I felt compelled to be honest and tell my professor. She, unlike many professors, gave me the grade I deserved rather than saying "Oh, it was my mistake so you can keep your grade." Still, I feel like I did the right thing and I wouldn't have felt right about not telling her.

 

[Tin Man]

No...I believe you did since I quoted you and you seem to become clueless. The things I listed tend to throw off moral compasses. Iron throws off real compasses BTW....not the moral variety (unless you are stealing it to sell to a scrap dealer)

Whoa!

You know, that's weird, then. Every time I walk near my chemistry room during an experiment containing iron, I all of a sudden, have this urge to set kittens on fire. Iron affects MY moral compass... I guess no one else has that problem?

In other words, it's adorable that context wasn't used to detect the sarcasm, but I suppose the best way of defunking sarcasm is to close the window on the poor clue bird...

 

[midn]

I tell professors if they misgrade my exam in my favor. I just don't like getting credit for something I didn't deserve. One professor actually lowered my grade.

This has happened only a handful of times. I only tell the professors if it is something significant (i.e. 3+ points).

 

[KeyzerSoze]

To the OP: If you don't turn yourself in, you're no different than any other cheater. If you choose not to, you will probably delude yourself with some excuses anyway and not be effected by this moral dilemma because you already killed your insides.

Again, please find me a college honor code which even remotely implies that passively accepting the professor's mistake is tantamount to cheating.

 

[Drogba]

I'm getting so tired of people posting their insignificant "ethical dilemmas" on SDN and soliciting advice. Can't people make these meaningless decisions for themselves?! SDN is supposed to be a supportive community but really do people need their hand held through every single fork in the road no matter how slight? Then again the OP is probably a troll...

 

[PokerDoc]

one time my professor got the numbers wrong in the online grading system.. on my exam it was correctly written 79/100

but online and on what counted he put 97/100. Now my opinion was.. 'hey! im not the stupid one here, he cant even transcribe numbers'

 

[Nooblet]

if you go tell your professor knowing he will probably allow you to keep the mistaken grade just to surprise him with your honesty, then that is probably the most brown-nosing act i could ever think of...

 

[IceMan0824]

This has got to be the most hilarious thread I have read on the pre-med forum hitherto.

The back and forths, the constant jabs, the moral polices, and the unethical characters all add to the constant humor. Thank you all for a humor-filled day.

Because I am no better than anyone here, I'll add my own two cents; after all, why not?

To OP: You have two options

1. Tell the professor. He changes the grade, or he leaves it the same. Either way, you have a A on the test, and no harm done. You work harder to impress him and you ace the class. Everyone lives happily ever after, and one day, you might actually run across a real moral issue, and we all will still be here to help you answer it.

2. Don't tell the teacher. Enjoy your grade, work harder on the next tests so you can accomplish a feeling of worth in receiving that misquoted grade. Ace the class. Everyone lives happily ever after, and one day, you might actually run across a real moral issue, and we all will still be here to help you answer it.

Either way, the world still turns.

You're welcome

 

[shippudenfan]

Going to keep this short and sweet.

Just had our first Biochem exam. I scored a 97. However, my prof seems to have missed marking one of the multiple choice problems (there was no check or X next to it). It was 5 points, and when we went over the exam today in class, I found I had got it wrong. So, I should have a 92.

Should I tell him? This post may be laughable to some, as this is only 5 points. On one hand, I want the grade I deserve. Then again, how often do you get breaks such as this?

What should I do? Take the 97 and forget about it?

No.

(In case you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic.)

 

[IceMan0824]

I'm getting so tired of people posting their insignificant "ethical dilemmas" on SDN and soliciting advice. Can't people make these meaningless decisions for themselves?! SDN is supposed to be a supportive community but really do people need their hand held through every single fork in the road no matter how slight? Then again the OP is probably a troll...

This is SDN, holding pre-med hands since 1999.

 

[IceMan0824]

This is where a lack of appreciable morals would come in handy.

Moral flexibility. I like it. You and I would get along pretty well.

 

[xiaoyi666]

dont be stupid

Best response I've read to a post yet.

 

[xiaoyi666]

This has got to be the most hilarious thread I have read on the pre-med forum hitherto.

The back and forths, the constant jabs, the moral polices, and the unethical characters all add to the constant humor. Thank you all for a humor-filled day.

Because I am no better than anyone here, I'll add my own two cents; after all, why not?

To OP: You have two options

1. Tell the professor. He changes the grade, or he leaves it the same. Either way, you have a A on the test, and no harm done. You work harder to impress him and you ace the class. Everyone lives happily ever after, and one day, you might actually run across a real moral issue, and we all will still be here to help you answer it.

2. Don't tell the teacher. Enjoy your grade, work harder on the next tests so you can accomplish a feeling of worth in receiving that misquoted grade. Ace the class. Everyone lives happily ever after, and one day, you might actually run across a real moral issue, and we all will still be here to help you answer it.

Either way, the world still turns.

You're welcome

Not necessarily true. Some classes have scores up to 94 as A-, i.e. the genetics course i took.

 

[DoctorDreamer]

That's happened to me before. I went to the proff, told him he accidentally gave me extra points and said that I wanted him to know, but I don't want him to lower it if he doesn't want to, and laughed. The professor said he doesn't lower grades when the error was in the student's favor, and he seemed pleased that I was honest with him.

Also, if for any reason throughout the year he goes back and looks at your old test (if he's trying to see how his students are performing, if he's determining your problem areas, if he's trying to decide who gets an award or a higher grade, etc), and he notices your score, he may consider you dishonest for not telling him.

Be honest, you deserve a 92... If he lets you keep the 97 you can feel good about it and the fact you were honest. Worse case scenario is that you have a 92 (a good grade, and the one you earned), and your teacher respects your honesty.

 

[nevercold]

There is no dilemma here. The OP should choose to inform the professor of this grading mistake. I am thoroughly disappointed by the values and thinking processes of those who recommend otherwise.

Most of you have completed the interview process. To those who have not, if you are presented with something like this as an ethical dilemma question, please choose to tell the professor (unless you really don't want to go to that school).

 

[KeyzerSoze]

There is no dilemma here. The OP should choose to inform the professor of this grading mistake. I am thoroughly disappointed by the values and thinking processes of those who recommend otherwise.

Emphatically claiming something does not make it true. As I've already posted twice on this thread: find me a school honor code which would consider not telling the professor to be academic dishonesty.

 

[AnesthesiaMD]

Going to keep this short and sweet.

Just had our first Biochem exam. I scored a 97. However, my prof seems to have missed marking one of the multiple choice problems (there was no check or X next to it). It was 5 points, and when we went over the exam today in class, I found I had got it wrong. So, I should have a 92.

Should I tell him? This post may be laughable to some, as this is only 5 points. On one hand, I want the grade I deserve. Then again, how often do you get breaks such as this?

What should I do? Take the 97 and forget about it?

Good God, get over your self-righteous self. He'll likely say, "my mistake, keep the points."

 

[nevercold]

Emphatically claiming something does not make it true. As I've already posted twice on this thread: find me a school honor code which would consider not telling the professor to be academic dishonesty.

Would you define just action as only that action which is already codified in rules or laws?

Would accepting the 5 points without telling the professor be an "honest" or "dishonest" behavior? The professor is in no position to assume a mistake was made unless he is told. He must, by default, assume that his grading was correct. To not tell the professor is to endorse his assumption and therefore allow him to believe something that is false. As a result, the action is a commission of dishonesty.

Would accepting the 5 points give the OP an advantage over others that was not "earned"? Yes. As another has pointed out, the 92 may be an A- instead of an A at some schools. We can not predict the ultimate effect it will have on the grade this person receives, but if he does extremely well in the rest of the course it will have no effect (and honesty or dishonesty will not yield better results academically for the student). If he does not do as well, the 92 could alter the end result he gets. If his end grade is affected, this will affect his competitiveness as an applicant. Competitiveness is relative, meaning that his benefit is the detriment of others. If the professor chooses to curve the class, the 92 could affect others' final grades as well. At no time did he actually earn this benefit.

In contrast, when a professor decides to award points to someone for their honesty, the decision is a subjective one, as opposed to the objective grading scale of the original examination. At this point, the OP no longer bares responsibility for the outcome of his score and its effects on others.

Some have purported that he should accept these points without telling the professor to make up for when things go poorly for him. This is essentially the argument that one sin, one wrong, one fallacy somehow justifies another. Unfortunately, these 5 points (1) affect others who may not have contributed to these bad events he would be making up for and (2) may not equate to a balanced exchange. When one loses something unfairly, the only true compensation is the reclamation of what was lost. The value of a different thing is much too subjective for appropriate determination of the trade balance.

Academic honor codes do not address every matter of decision made within an academic environment, but rather seek to define those things that are severe enough to warrant intervention and/or disciplinary action. This is stated quite clearly through the University of Virginia honor code that you posted above. Would I kick this guy out of school for this or suspend him or fail him? No. But that does not make it okay to accept points not earned. Unfortunately, very much like the money example, academic points ARE points taken from others because we are ultimately not compared to some ethereal set standards, but rather to each other.

It is quite obvious that keeping points unearned is an act of dishonesty. It is also quite obvious that keeping points unearned sets up a potential for an unfair gain of advantage. Both should be seen as outcomes not befitting someone with a reasonable "moral compass."

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Would you define just action as only that action which is already codified in rules or laws?

Would accepting the 5 points without telling the professor be an "honest" or "dishonest" behavior? The professor is in no position to assume a mistake was made unless he is told. He must, by default, assume that his grading was correct. To not tell the professor is to endorse his assumption and therefore allow him to believe something that is false. As a result, the action is a commission of dishonesty.

There was no action.

 

[muireinin]

There was no action.

Physical action? No. But weighing the options and then *choosing* to do nothing is an action. The same way a lie of omission is a lie.

 

[suwaifo]

Emphatically claiming something does not make it true. As I've already posted twice on this thread: find me a school honor code which would consider not telling the professor to be academic dishonesty.

It doesn't matter whether or not you can find anything anywhere, the point is you are either a douche or you aren't.

 

[Jolie South]

let's try to keep things civil in here.

 

[nevercold]

Physical action? No. But weighing the options and then *choosing* to do nothing is an action. The same way a lie of omission is a lie.

Thank you for posting this. "To choose" is not a verb of state. It is by definition an action verb. Choosing is an action. Whether or not that action is followed by subsequent action (the choice is to *do* something) or not does not change the nature of the action of choosing.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

It doesn't matter whether or not you can find anything anywhere, the point is you are either a douche or you aren't.

I'll take that as meaning you couldn't find a single school which calls it cheating.

 

[bcat85]

Now c'mon guys. OP: I admire your honesty, it is really a pretty noble thing to do to tell the professor.

HOWEVER, I would not call it "cheating" per se if you don't. Cheating is defined as "to decieve by trickery; swindle." I do not believe that you have intentionally decieved your professor, nor have you attempted to swindle anything from him. When I think of cheating, I think of individuals who bring in their notes, copy a paper, or use other people's work. It is obvious that your intent in answering said question was not to decieve the professor; you intended to turn it in and either get the question right or to get it wrong. You only gained the knowledge to answer that question from your previous study. As such, you are not a cheater if you do not turn it in. If it is bothering you, tell the professor. This kind of thing happens WAY more often then many people think, and often times it goes the other way. If a professor fails to mark off for something, you may assume that he, for some reason, chose not to mark it off. Bottom Line: Do what you feel is the most proper thing to do.

 

[135892]

If the professor completely messed up, and gave you like a 96 when you should have really gotton a 69, then yes, you have the moral obligation to notify the professor. However, for 5 point mistake, who cares? It won't make much of a difference at the end anyway so why waste your or your professor's time with something so trivial

 

[suwaifo]

No, I didn't even bother looking for a school with such a code because that would be a waste of my time.

KeyzerSoze, stop being a prick.

 

[suwaifo]

Now c'mon guys. OP: I admire your honesty, it is really a pretty noble thing to do to tell the professor.

HOWEVER, I would not call it "cheating" per se if you don't. Cheating is defined as "to decieve by trickery; swindle." I do not believe that you have intentionally decieved your professor, nor have you attempted to swindle anything from him. When I think of cheating, I think of individuals who bring in their notes, copy a paper, or use other people's work. It is obvious that your intent in answering said question was not to decieve the professor; you intended to turn it in and either get the question right or to get it wrong. You only gained the knowledge to answer that question from your previous study. As such, you are not a cheater if you do not turn it in. If it is bothering you, tell the professor. This kind of thing happens WAY more often then many people think, and often times it goes the other way. If a professor fails to mark off for something, you may assume that he, for some reason, chose not to mark it off. Bottom Line: Do what you feel is the most proper thing to do.

By calling it a noble thing, you act as though it were normal to do otherwise.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

By calling it a noble thing, you act as though it were normal to do otherwise.

It is normal to do otherwise. That's why most professors would laugh if you came and asked them to take 5% off your test grade.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

No, I didn't even bother looking for a school with such a code because that would be a waste of my time.

KeyzerSoze, stop being a prick.

I'm not sure why you keep resorting to juvenile insults. Like bcat85 said, it may ultimately be the right thing to tell the professor about his mistake. But keeping quiet about it is not cheating.

 

[Doublecortin]

There is no dilemma here. The OP should choose to inform the professor of this grading mistake. I am thoroughly disappointed by the values and thinking processes of those who recommend otherwise.

Most of you have completed the interview process. To those who have not, if you are presented with something like this as an ethical dilemma question, please choose to tell the professor (unless you really don't want to go to that school).

👎 Please, no self-righteous BS here, ok, bud!

 

[coldweatherblue]

There are a few ways to look at this and it is up to you to determine the best course of action.

You have been given a lucky gift. You can choose not to say anything and you will keep those 5 points which may (but probably won't) make the difference in an A/A-, etc.

OTOH you also have an opportunity to make a very positive, honest impression on a professor who may someday make an important recommendation for you during the admissions process. Indeed, there is a very good chance that the professor WON'T lower your grade once you inform him of his mistake, in which case you have a win/win situation.

I would say that making an honest impression is more valuable than a small chance of losing 5 points that probably won't affect your overall grade anyway. This is based on my experiences with teachers. Yes I have been in your situation before and yes I said something about it and I felt like what I did was very beneficial later in the application process.

Final grades, otoh, I don't argue about either way. I've received an A before when I know that statistically I earned less than a 93, but it is up to the teacher to decide where to draw the line in the class and complaining about receiving a too high grade is disrespectful. A test grade, however is a separate matter.