What would you do in this situation?

[663697]

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So I recently got back my physics exam and realized I had lost marks on a couple of questions which amounted to a loss of 9% on the exam, even though everything was right.

I went to ask my professor what I had done wrong and he said that my answers were right. Unfortunately he is not in charge of the grades so I had to speak with the professor that deals with them.

When I went there, she refused to give me anything even when I insisted my instructor had agreed that I deserved the marks. I even explained my reasoning and she didn't seem to care.

What do you guys think I should do? I don't want to cause trouble but it's also unfair that I worked hard only to end up getting cheated out of marks for no reason.

 

[eteshoe]

So you got a 91% on the exam? If so I don't know if it's worth your time to quibble over a few percent. Your prof is being annoying but life is unfair sometimes-get used to it.

EDIT: Now the above assumes that a 91% is still an A, but I just remembered when I took physics the department set an A as >94%. In that case it may be worth the haggle - though don't push too hard.

 

[663697]

So you got a 91% on the exam? If so I don't know if it's worth your time to quibble over a few percent. Your prof is being annoying but life is unfair sometimes-get used to it.

EDIT: Now the above assumes that a 91% is still an A, but I just remembered when I took physics the department set an A as >94%. In that case it may be worth the haggle - though don't push too hard.

I think it makes a difference at my school, but I don't know what course of action to take. I don't want to come off as annoying.

 

[ortnakas]

Go back to Professor #1, respectfully tell him what happened with Professor #2 and ask for his advice; he'll know more about the department's rules (and politics) than we do.

 

[Long Way to Go]

So I recently got back my physics exam and realized I had lost marks on a couple of questions which amounted to a loss of 9% on the exam, even though everything was right.

I went to ask my professor what I had done wrong and he said that my answers were right. Unfortunately he is not in charge of the grades so I had to speak with the professor that deals with them.

When I went there, she refused to give me anything even when I insisted my instructor had agreed that I deserved the marks. I even explained my reasoning and she didn't seem to care.

What do you guys think I should do? I don't want to cause trouble but it's also unfair that I worked hard only to end up getting cheated out of marks for no reason.

Can you describe in greater detail what happened in paragraph 3? Did you show up and say "hey I deserve 9 points because Mr. TA X said I did"?

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

I would get something in writing from the professor stating that you're answers are correct and you deserve the points.

Now the above assumes that a 91% is still an A, but I just remembered when I took physics the department set an A as >94%. In that case it may be worth the haggle - though don't push too hard.

Side note, and not to be that guy, but you're damn lucky they set an A to >94%. Where I went the A cuttoff was 96% for every class as mandated by the school. Dicks...

 

[LizzyM]

On the other hand, some faculty have been burned by students who change their answers and then argue that the answers on the page are correct and that the paper should be regraded. Sometimes these cheaters are caught but sometimes it is hard to prove. Some faculty may protect themselves from this type of cheating by making a blanket rule that no regrading or change of grade will be permitted. It seems unjust and you could take it up with a member of the administration if you don't get any satisfaction from the instructors. Is there anything in your student policy manual or the syllabus that covers these circumstances?

 

[Goro]

Why is the professor surrendering his responsibility in the course??? It's HIS course!

Go back to him and argue your case. If that doesn't work, take it up with his Dep't Chair, and maybe even the Dean. Talk to other professors int he same dep't as well, to marshal support. This is ridiculous!!!

What was the TA's rationale for deducting all those points? Is there ANY merit to them????

So I recently got back my physics exam and realized I had lost marks on a couple of questions which amounted to a loss of 9% on the exam, even though everything was right.

I went to ask my professor what I had done wrong and he said that my answers were right. Unfortunately he is not in charge of the grades so I had to speak with the professor that deals with them.

When I went there, she refused to give me anything even when I insisted my instructor had agreed that I deserved the marks. I even explained my reasoning and she didn't seem to care.

What do you guys think I should do? I don't want to cause trouble but it's also unfair that I worked hard only to end up getting cheated out of marks for no reason.

 

[DokterMom]

You don't want to be a 'grade grubber' so make sure it's worth it before pushing any further --

Maybe go back to the first professor and tell him/her that your conversation with Big Prof went nowhere. Let him/her know that you don't want to be a 'grade grubber' so what you'd like to propose is that you let the issue drop for now, but that you'd like to add the provision that if this makes the difference between an A and a B for the course, that you'd like leave the option to revisit the issue then.

 

[GrapesofRath]

On the other hand, some faculty have been burned by students who change their answers and then argue that the answers on the page are correct and that the paper should be regraded. Sometimes these cheaters are caught but sometimes it is hard to prove. Some faculty may protect themselves from this type of cheating by making a blanket rule that no regrading or change of grade will be permitted.

Seems like just requiring students to write in pen is the easy fix to that. A number of professors I had in college had this rule ie you couldnt ask for a regrade if your exam wasnt written in pen. Some had a rule that you couldnt ask for a regrade on any page you had scratched something out in pen, so it wasnt always perfect but it's better for everybody. Likewise, even for those without such a rule, profs would usually write in red pen what they took off points for so it was really hard to cheat and erase the answer and say "I had that" when the professor said you didnt. All in all this isnt a very hard problem to fix so Im surprised it might be a common complaint/concern that needs safety measures against it, as if it cant be easily prevented.

To the OP it doesnt sound like there's much you can do unless a) you get written proof of the professor saying you deserved those points(and even that might not work) that you give to the person in charge of this. b) there is something in the syllabus that can help you out and deals with specific situations like this. This could also come across as grade grubbing which might make those in charge uneasy of changing your grade, but 9% is a letter grade so I think that's significant enough to pursue, particularly in a case like this where the professor agrees.

 

[Padfoot]

9% is huge in my opinion, it's practically 10 points! I've definitely taken a few classes where I just barely made an A, so that 9% is worth a lot. If the class is pretty easy, and you're confident you can do well on future exams, then maybe let it go.

 

[663697]

On the other hand, some faculty have been burned by students who change their answers and then argue that the answers on the page are correct and that the paper should be regraded. Sometimes these cheaters are caught but sometimes it is hard to prove. Some faculty may protect themselves from this type of cheating by making a blanket rule that no regrading or change of grade will be permitted. It seems unjust and you could take it up with a member of the administration if you don't get any satisfaction from the instructors. Is there anything in your student policy manual or the syllabus that covers these circumstances?

I totally understand, but I know people who got their exam regraded, only after convincing her by referencing the textbook. I believe the policy is that examinations may be regraded.

 

[mw18]

On the other hand, some faculty have been burned by students who change their answers and then argue that the answers on the page are correct and that the paper should be regraded. Sometimes these cheaters are caught but sometimes it is hard to prove. Some faculty may protect themselves from this type of cheating by making a blanket rule that no regrading or change of grade will be permitted. It seems unjust and you could take it up with a member of the administration if you don't get any satisfaction from the instructors. Is there anything in your student policy manual or the syllabus that covers these circumstances?

A lot of instructors photocopy exams and don't tell the students. Not at all saying what happened here obviously, as it's not a cheating issue. But I bet many an sdn poster who "honestly did nothing wrong and got screwed" were actually caught by this method.

 

[663697]

Why is the professor surrendering his responsibility in the course??? It's HIS course!

Go back to him and argue your case. If that doesn't work, take it up with his Dep't Chair, and maybe even the Dean. Talk to other professors int he same dep't as well, to marshal support. This is ridiculous!!!

What was the TA's rationale for deducting all those points? Is there ANY merit to them????

I don't even know if it was the TA's fault; I believe they just followed the absurd answer key. The problem in this case is that I don't think I can get a lot of support behind me, seeing as this Big Prof holds a pretty important position in the department.

 

[663697]

Can you describe in greater detail what happened in paragraph 3? Did you show up and say "hey I deserve 9 points because Mr. TA X said I did"?

Actually, I just explained why I believed the answers were correct and gave some reasons. I only said that afterwards to sort of support my argument.