does this seem like the "correct" grading to you?

[skim milk]

I'm taking a course and on the exams, it has 30 multiple choice questions and couple short answer questions

After taking the third exam I just realized how the professor does the grading (and realized why I haven't been doing so hot in the class)

I initially thought the multiple choice questions would be about 2 or 3 points each and since the short answer section is out of a total of 20 points, the points will be deducted from a 100 point scale

for instance, if I got a 14/20 on the short answers, I would get a 94 if I got all the multiple choice questions right.

As a result, i never paid much attention to the short answers and just tried to do well on the multiple choice. I was always pressed for time on the short answers by the way..

But how she does the grading is, everything is worth a point. 30 MC + 20 short answer = 50

So if I get a 14/20 on the short answers, that's like missing 6 multiple choice questions. I don't know about you guys, but getting a 20/20 on short answers is not that easy because she can deduct a point here and there for anything i leave out. Also, recall is harder than recognition (essay vs multiple choice)

 

[nageov3t]

seems fair to me.

essays should be weighted more than multiple choice questions. recall is a lot more important than recognition.

 

[MrChad]

Grading scheme sounds reasonable to me. Perhaps you shouldn't have waited until the THIRD EXAM to actually pay attention to it.

 

[FreshFish]

you should just "pay attention" to all parts of the test, or atleast find out the grading scheme instead of making assumptions.

 

[randomlinh]

no offense, but it's your own fault for not paying attention. You could have brought it up to her beforehand instead. Does she grade very strictly on the short answers? Any partial credit? If she did strictly 0/1 on the short answer, I wouldn't say it's fair. But you waited much too long to try and argue your way out of it. Even then, I probably would have tried to avoid her class. if not, then i would have studied my ass off instead, like you're suppose to anyway.

 

[marcello]

Yeah, always know exactly how your tests are going to be set up and graded before you take them. Just ask your teacher, anyone that isn't a prick or b|tch will let you know.

 

[dullard]

Sounds quite normal. Short answers are always more difficult and show your knowledge a lot better than just lucky guesses on a multiple choice question. Thus they are almost always given a lot more weight in grading.

How'd you think she graded it anyways? Your math: 20 points total out of 100 for short answer gives 80 points for the multiple choice. That gives 80/30 = 2.66 points per problem. I've seen half point grading before, but never in my life have I seen a teacher/professor give points with thirds.

And shouldn't you have figured this out after 1 test?

 

[vood0g]

you've been goign to school for how long? what kind of idiot makes an assumption on a professor's grading system...

 

[skim milk]

Originally posted by: dullard
Sounds quite normal. Short answers are always more difficult and show your knowledge a lot better than just lucky guesses on a multiple choice question. Thus they are almost always given a lot more weight in grading.

How'd you think she graded it anyways? Your math: 20 points total out of 100 for short answer gives 80 points for the multiple choice. That gives 80/30 = 2.66 points per problem. I've seen half point grading before, but never in my life have I seen a teacher/professor give points with thirds.

And shouldn't you have figured this out after 1 test?

yes i was aware that the math doesn't add up

I didn't check what I missed after the first exam, or the second exam, I don't know why, I just tried to prepare myself more for the next exam instead of trying to figure out how my grade came out the way it did. I finally decided to check why I have getting such low grades after taking the third one.

All I want is a B in this course... not asking for an A or anything. I think I have a low C in this class right now. I still have one more exam left and then a final. I know I will do extremely well on the final since it's all multiple choice so I must do well on the other exam to reach my goal