I've got an issue with the grading of my university assignment

imported_Stew

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2005
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So, last week I got an assignment back in a course I'm taking in university as an elective.

I got a B+, above the class average. Cool. But, on second glance, I'm not sure my mark is fair.

The topic of the paper was comparing the standard of living in various countries. We were to attach an appendix with all our data(i.e. GDP, unemployment, etc).

There's a rubric attached to my graded assignment in which it says:
Data: "Evaluate on completeness and accuracy of data. Deduct points for old data."
25/35

I really thought my data was good, and I worked really hard to get the numbers I needed. So, I went to my TA's office (he marked the paper) and asked him why I lost points. Was my data too old, or inaccurate? No, he said, there's nothing wrong with it. But, he said the Data criteria referred to how well I used my data in my assignment, how good my arguments were. I told him I was under the impression that that criteria was only whether the data was right. He then went on to say "Okay, look. You got a B+. Here's how we're told to mark it.... a B+ means that you used your data fairly well and made decent arguments. To get an A, you've really gotta impress me. The grading scheme is kind of arbitrary. If you want me to remark it, I will, but you mark may go down."

Sounds like BS to me. If my data is fine, why should I be losing 10% of my grade? Is it fair that they give a grading scheme for the assignment and give arbitrary subjective marks for each category?

Cliff's notes:
-Wrote paper
-TA said grading scheme was arbitrary
-Me = ???
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
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Unless there was a breakdown handed out explaining how each individual part will be graded and how each part totals up to your final grade you are out of luck.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
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he said the Data criteria referred to how well I used my data in my assignment, how good my arguments were. I told him I was under the impression that that criteria was only whether the data was right.

why did you answer your own question before burdening ATOT with this tripe?
 

imported_Stew

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2005
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Originally posted by: Crusty
Unless there was a breakdown handed out explaining how each individual part will be graded and how each part totals up to your final grade you are out of luck.

There is.

As I explained, my TA basically said that they grade each part arbitrarily based on how good they think the paper is.
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
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Originally posted by: Stew
Originally posted by: Crusty
Unless there was a breakdown handed out explaining how each individual part will be graded and how each part totals up to your final grade you are out of luck.

There is.

As I explained, my TA basically said that they grade each part arbitrarily based on how good they think the paper is.

How good a paper is should be part of the grade. Get over it.
 

imported_Stew

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2005
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Originally posted by: zinfamous
he said the Data criteria referred to how well I used my data in my assignment, how good my arguments were. I told him I was under the impression that that criteria was only whether the data was right.

why did you answer your own question before burdening ATOT with this tripe?

The dilemma here is that what he says is contrary to the grading scheme itself.

There is another criteria which is "write-up" and accounts for the strength of my arguments, good use of data, etc.
 

Drakkon

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2001
8,401
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If it is a rubric then it is truly arbitrary and the TA can give you whatever they feel like at that point in time. If they are a dick like the guy your dealing with, then inevitably no one gets an A unless you are an ass kisser or a cute girl. Talk to the professor - tell him what the TA told you - and see what you need to do to improve your score from him and not the TA.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
Originally posted by: Stew
Originally posted by: Crusty
Unless there was a breakdown handed out explaining how each individual part will be graded and how each part totals up to your final grade you are out of luck.

There is.

As I explained, my TA basically said that they grade each part arbitrarily based on how good they think the paper is.

As he should, it's a paper. I wouldn't expect a TA to objectively grade papers.

Like I said, if you have a handout from your professor saying what each part of the paper is worth, take it to him with your complaint with what the TA said. Don't go in there blaming the TA or the grading policy either, the last thing you want to do is piss of the person grading your work.
 

thegimp03

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2004
7,420
2
81
I'd take it, next grading assignment go to him to see what he wants. No use bitching about it now when the TA could grade you lower next time and use more BS as reasoning. If the same thing happens twice, go to the Prof and talk it over with them.
 

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
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I'm so glad I didn't have to write many papers in college. The times I did, I was always raped cause I suck and they didn't care for my ideas. Thank god the other 90% of my work was with numbers and 'approach'.
 

ConstipatedVigilante

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2006
7,670
1
0
Originally posted by: Stew
Originally posted by: Crusty
Unless there was a breakdown handed out explaining how each individual part will be graded and how each part totals up to your final grade you are out of luck.

There is.

As I explained, my TA basically said that they grade each part arbitrarily based on how good they think the paper is.

Um, that's always how papers are graded. If you have good data but the paper reads like a retard telling it to you, then your grade is going to go down.
 

imported_Stew

Golden Member
Apr 23, 2005
1,091
0
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Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante
Originally posted by: Stew
Originally posted by: Crusty
Unless there was a breakdown handed out explaining how each individual part will be graded and how each part totals up to your final grade you are out of luck.

There is.

As I explained, my TA basically said that they grade each part arbitrarily based on how good they think the paper is.

Um, that's always how papers are graded. If you have good data but the paper reads like a retard telling it to you, then your grade is going to go down.

My problem is that there is actually a criterion for how the paper reads, but he marked me down in an area which he specifically told me I did fine.
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
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if you really want to make an issue of it, the escalation procedure to dispute the grade is probably something like... TA -> prof -> department head -> dean
 

dbk

Lifer
Apr 23, 2004
17,685
10
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Your arguments didn't impress him. What's so hard to understand about that? You met the criteria but you didn't go beyond. B+ Get over it.
 

rcxEric

Banned
Oct 14, 2008
124
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there's only two ways to get your mark improved, and neither is ethical. the first involves asking them if they would change your mark, and when they say no, suggest ulysses grant begs to differ.
if that doesn't work, you can always try romancing your prof up.
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
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Originally posted by: dbk
Your arguments didn't impress him. What's so hard to understand about that? You met the criteria but you didn't go beyond. B+ Get over it.

This.

Being good enough gets you a B, not an A.
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
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So he regrades your paper. Fine he gives you 10 points back for your data, but your essay still sucks so he takes 10 points off in another category. Good job, you still have a B+. You can even argue that completeness refers to how completely your data supports your arguments in the essay, which in this case could result in the 10 point deduction.
 

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Who knows. Talk to the prof. Some believe that average = 70. Some believe that average = 60. Some believe that average = 85.

Good would be 85, 78-80, and 90+ in those cases.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
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Gathering data is easy. Interpreting it is hard. Sounds like you need to work on your interpretation of your data.
 
Sep 29, 2004
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Going after a career in finance. Well, you better be able to write well because peanut counters only get good salaries if they can convey ideas well. You are destined to be a phony.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,695
31,043
146
Originally posted by: Stew
Originally posted by: zinfamous
he said the Data criteria referred to how well I used my data in my assignment, how good my arguments were. I told him I was under the impression that that criteria was only whether the data was right.

why did you answer your own question before burdening ATOT with this tripe?

The dilemma here is that what he says is contrary to the grading scheme itself.

There is another criteria which is "write-up" and accounts for the strength of my arguments, good use of data, etc.

well, now you know. It could be worse. Next paper should be A material then, no?

Either way, it's good that you ask the TA about it, or at least show interest. So few students do that. Professors tend to give you the benefit of the doubt when you maintain communication with them. That's probably what he means by "arbitrary grading." Keep up the convo, and they're more likely to evaluate you on what you've actually learned, rather than rote memorization.