What should I do in this situation?

[chillingpanda]

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I'm currently taking this class called elementary analytical chemistry. Basically, we got out first exam back and I was disappointed in my score (got a C), but then I noticed that I missed 6 easy questions that I calculated correctly, BUT the significant figures didn't match up with the answer choices, therefore I put "none of the above" since that's one of the answer choices. The professor then stated that significant figures didn't matter for this exam AFTER we got the exam back because we never went over it even though the chapters in the book that were stated on the powerpoint for exam 1 had the sig fig chapter in it, but on his powerpoints ALL of the calculations were rounded to the correct sig figs. On all of his question, the answer choice "none of the above" is a choice so how are we suppose to know if we're using sig figs or not, he never told us and he left like 10mins after the exams were passed out. The TAs didn't know anything when students asked either.

Afterwards, when we were going over the exam he told the entire class I'll give you points if you circled "none of the above" as an answer if the sig figs were wrong. I got 3/6 points back and bumped my grade to a B, which is the messed up part when I should've gotten 6/6. He literally started making up his OWN RULES about sig figs, like sig figs only count when they're in scientific notation, and only 2 decimal places count (LIKE WHAT??). I know my math was correct as well as the sig figs, so me and a few friends that got screwed over by this are going to attend office hours to see if we can still get those points back. If he doesn't budge (most likely he won't since he's stubborn) what should we do?? There's only 3 exams for this class, so it's important to do well on them.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

That situation is awful, but take it from me, you and your classmates need to let it goooo and kick butt on the next two exams. Instructors are gods of their classes and unless they do something really egregious, you and your classmates will end up antagonizing him, which he will remember since you describe him as "stubborn."

Note: I went into the final exam with an A, but because the instructor failed to understand a question I had asked him during the exam, I lost my A. Filed a formal complaint with the Dean, but they backed him, even though the professor admitted there was a miscommunication. Lost my 4.0.

LET IT GOOOOOO!

 

[chillingpanda]

That situation is awful, but take it from me, you and your classmates need to let it goooo and kick butt on the next two exams. Instructors are gods of their classes and unless they do something really egregious, you and your classmates will end up antagonizing him, which he will remember since you describe him as "stubborn."

Note: I went into the final exam with an A, but because the instructor failed to understand a question I had asked him during the exam, I lost my A. Filed a formal complaint with the Dean, but they backed him, even though the professor admitted there was a miscommunication. Lost my 4.0.

LET IT GOOOOOO!

I understand your situation, but this is affecting multiple people. It's just not right. 30 points can make a huge difference in someone's grade.

 

[The Walking Debt]

From my experience, the first thing to do in these situations is to go and talk to the professor 1 on 1 and let them know your concerns. Be humble and understand that they make the rules for their tests. If he still won't budge, hunker down and destroy the future exams.

 

[chillingpanda]

From my experience, the first thing to do in these situations is to go and talk to the professor 1 on 1 and let them know your concerns. Be humble and understand that they make the rules for their tests. If he still won't budge, hunker down and destroy the future exams.

Is it pointless to talk to the department head about this situation if nothing changes? Like it pisses me off because he made up his own rules about sig figs

 

[AttemptingScholar]

He has the right to make up random rules for his own tests, as ridiculous it is. Go in with the attitude of "how should I change so I get the best possible grade considering I didn't get the grade I hoped for" not "this is what you, the professor, need to change." Even if that's not how you feel, that's how he is going to best respond to it.

 

[ndafife]

Is it pointless to talk to the department head about this situation if nothing changes? Like it pisses me off because he made up his own rules about sig figs

Do you really think a department head cares at all about whether a professor told you to use sig figs before an exam or not? If in the unlikely possibility you even get a response from him/her do you expect him to do anything other than divert to the professor who can literally make up whatever rules he or she wants on the exam.

You got good advice here. Go talk to the professor with your concerns and hunker down and do better on future exams.