Wrongly graded on homework or an exam?

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zinciest

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If a professor wrongly takes off 1 or 2 points on a 100 pt exam or 20 pt homework, would you say something, or is it so little that you wouldn't worry about it?
 
If it was 3 points or less, I probably wouldn't care. 4+ I'd say something.
 
I would. Just be respectful about it. Say something like, "I could be wrong, but I think that there may be a mistake with blah blah blah."

Notice that the words you and wrong are not in that sentence.

You earned the points, even if it is one point it is still yours.

EDIT: or you could even say, "I was wondering what I did wrong on this question." That way you are not asking for anything.
 
Nope. Chances are that they can find 4 points to take off that they missed the first time around... 🙂
 
If the error was faulty addition, just say something. It'll be fixed without a problem.

If you believe that your answer was correct, even though it wasn't the answer the professor accepted, then you should make sure that your answer is truly correct before saying anything about it. In my experience, it is very common for students to think they are right and not realize that they lost points because they didn't explain well, didn't choose the best answer, etc.
 
If the error was faulty addition, just say something. It'll be fixed without a problem.

👍
It's like getting the wrong amount of change from the cashier.
 
👍
It's like getting the wrong amount of change from the cashier.

Yea, my responses are assuming that it is in a subject such as chem or math. If it is English or any other subjective subject then I would avoid it for sure.
 
I would probably ask what would have been a better answer and why. Then I could either understand my mistake or get points back, win win.
 
I would probably ask what would have been a better answer and why. Then I could either understand my mistake or get points back, win win.

Exactly. It is all in how you phrase it. Communications 101 should be a mandatory class.
 
I've turned 2 B+'s into A's just by talking to my professors but it was a subjective course (english and history). If it will make or break your grade then you should say something. If not then don't worry about it.
 
Do it so you don't regret it later. You never know, it could change your grade at the end.
 
If a professor wrongly takes off 1 or 2 points on a 100 pt exam or 20 pt homework, would you say something, or is it so little that you wouldn't worry about it?
I'd approach it politely. Why not? If it was truly mis-graded, you should get the points. Don't 'demand' the points, don't get angry, etc. and you should be fine. lol
 
I've turned 2 B+'s into A's just by talking to my professors but it was a subjective course (english and history). If it will make or break your grade then you should say something. If not then don't worry about it.

It happens. But there are those professors that will hold it against you and label you as a whiner who only wants the grade and is not interested in the course. Plus, there is always the professor who is not like that but is having a bad day.
 
Do it so you don't regret it later. You never know, it could change your grade at the end.

Yeah if it makes a difference in letter grade I'd get that changed (if you have a legitimate case). But if it's the difference between a 97 and a 95, no biggie.
 
Yeah if it makes a difference in letter grade I'd get that changed (if you have a legitimate case). But if it's the difference between a 97 and a 95, no biggie.

This.

There are so many other important things in life to worry about, I wouldn't sweat something like this unless it would impact a letter grade.
 
If a professor wrongly takes off 1 or 2 points on a 100 pt exam or 20 pt homework, would you say something, or is it so little that you wouldn't worry about it?

Get all the points that are rightfully yours, you never know if you'll be needing those points at the end of the semester. I have let these things slide in the past and it has come back to haunt me.
 
refer to the "my girlfriend is stupider than me, my gpa is lower than what i shud deserve" thread.
 
Despite what some others said, I would definitely mention it respectfully... Twice now, I have been 5 or 4 points away from a higher grade and the professor wouldn't bump me up. One point can make the difference of an A and B or a B and C, and some professors just don't care enough to bump.

Besides.. you studied, you got it right according to you... so you deserve your points.
 
Some of my professors actually warn us at the beginning of the year to NEVER bring ask for one or two points. It makes them really really angry for some reason. If you let them regrade your exam, they might go through everything else, nitpick, and in the end you'll have an exam grade nine points lower than the one you started off with.

But unfortunately, I do feel like you should get the points you deserve, and I agree with the ideal to bring your exam to the professor under the guise of asking for suggestions. Then if the prof wants to give you points, he will. Better yet, if it's a mistake a lot of people in your class made, you guys can get together and get your TA to talk to the prof: this is what we did for a recent orgo exam...Still waiting to see if we're getting the 4 points...
 
If there was a very obvious mistake in grading (i.e. you marked the correct answer and it was graded as incorrect) absolutely bring it to their attention. If you are planning on debating the professor on the material itself or nitpicking a nuance in a question, you risk incurring some professorial wrath. Don't be a grade grubber.
 
Do it so you don't regret it later. You never know, it could change your grade at the end.
Agreed. Happened to me and thank god I said something. It made the difference.
 
This just happened to me, I was incorrectly graded wrong on a 50 pt. Multiple Choice midterm. It was just one question, two points, but I still deserved them so I went and talked to him.

Before going I made sure that what I put was the correct answer and that his key was incorrect. I checked the book, highlighted the section that supported my case and checked online.
After taking all this material to the Professor I simply said "Hey Dr. Ryan, do you mind if we go over this question". He looked it over and saw his own mistake without me having to point it out, gave me two points and bumped everyone else's score up two points.

Why would you accept being punished for having the correct answer? Be courteous and go talk to the professor/TA.
 
Respectfully note to your professor that you believe a grading error had occurred.

Only follow up on ii if those 4 points make the difference between and A and B.


Know when you pick your battles! (Most professors are reasonable, even in med school you can get points back from time to time)
 
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EDIT: or you could even say, "I was wondering what I did wrong on this question." That way you are not asking for anything.

I would probably ask what would have been a better answer and why. Then I could either understand my mistake or get points back, win win.

I simply said "Hey Dr. Ryan, do you mind if we go over this question". He looked it over and saw his own mistake without me having to point it out, gave me two points and bumped everyone else's score up two points.

these. don't approach it as asking for points, approach it as wanting to understand the question and why your answer was wrong. if the prof made a grading mistake, they'll notice and fix it. if not, you learn how to answer the question correctly.
 
If it was a class with lots of points to spare I would let it go but if it was a class where only a few points makes or breaks you (like the class is out of 100 points), I would do in an approach it like "where did i go wrong on this?".
 
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