Biochem8

Is it true, at least in the College, that only 30% of students get A's? So even if you're doing well, say you have a 95, you might end up with a B?

I tried going onto Penn's undergraduate website and looking at their grading policy but I keep getting an error and the page won't load.

Thank you for any help.

tenebrousfire

if you get a 95% on an exam and you don't get an a, something is wrong.

but more to the point...

unlike primary and secondary schooling, where grading is generally 90-100 is an a, 80-89 is a b, etc., penn's grading, like at most universities, is usually curved.

therefore the numbers that matter are the mean and the standard deviation. if the mean on an exam is a 50, that would be equivalent to a b or b-, depending on the department. a standard deviation above the mean would be an a- or a; below, a c or c-.

that's why only 30% of students get an a or a-.

phillySASer08

the short answer is no, this is not true, but probably not in the way you think. Most social science/humanities courses give between 30-50% A/A-'s, with a pretty wide range that often depends on the department (i.e. fewer A grades in IR classes than in English classes). The concept that you are concerned about, that of a downward curve, is pretty much only an issue in wharton; most social science/humanities courses do not have an upper limit to the number of A's they give, that's just how it shakes out.

The science and math departments, on the other hand (meaning Bio, Physics, Chem, Biochem, and Math) give only about 20% A/A-'s. You never, ever need to worry about a downward curve, because the average on tests tend to be in the 50-75 range. Chem until you get to Pchem and intro Physics set their averages at a B-, Bio and Math are generally Bs.

Biochem8

Yes, I think what I was taking about was a downward curve. I heard (yes, I know I shouldn't trust what I hear, but I was curious) that in the college they only have 30% of A's, thus resulting in the need for a downward curve sometimes.

But, I'm glad to hear that I won't have to worry about when I study Biochemistry.

Thank you both for your responses.

Chi-town23_33

PhillySASer08: Do you know what the grade breakdown is like at Wharton?

mattwonder

As has been published in the DP recently, 54% of the grades given in the college are an A/A-. Interpret that as you will :-) Wharton's a little more harsh on grading, and the grading varies by course/professor.

You'll probably _never_ run into a downward curve - most often curves are used to cancel out ridiculously difficult tests. Where people complain about curves (in my experience, at least) is in classes where a benchmark has been established for the overall major (that a good number get good grades) and then a specific test or class is less generous with a curve - still upward, but less helpful. As tene suggests - you have to realize college is different from HS where the standard 70/80/90 rule applied - and that a "less beneficial" curve will cause people to complain. As an example, the average on my algorithms test today was a 48%, and the professor could interpret that any way he wishes.

upennk

hi! i found this thread and desperately need to know... what letter grade would 60 % translate to in an introductory physics course? assuming the rest of the class did really well.......... would it at least get me a c?

tenebrousfire

if you're a standard deviation below the mean, then yes

if you're lower, might be lower than a c (c-, etc.)

upennk

thanks for the response- i hope its at least a c

wayward_trojan

Every history class I've taken breaks down to about 30% A's. I've heard that's an official policy, but don't quote me.

redsoxgirl

Does anyone know the grading policies in english courses? My class is using the portfolio system, so we get a letter grade now and a chance to revise our papers. Then at the end of the course, we get a new letter grade that has no bearing on the former grade. My TA is grading really hard right now. Everybody seems to be getting low B's and C's. If we revise very well, would it be possible to get an A? Has anyone experienced this system of grading papers before? Thanks for any help.

mattwonder

whoa I last posted a long time ago.

If all you _need_ is a C, it's not hard to do. As long as you take all the tests, and turn in all the problem sets, your professor will probably give you at least a C.

In my experience, english classes were a load of bull. No objective grading at all. But in theory, the portfolio system is designed to encourage you to revise your work, so most people start with lower grades so they're incentivized to review their material.

upennk

thanks Matt- yeah found the thread from while ago..........
i think its great that you all are still out there to help with all these questions!!!!

Awped

No that's predominantly a Wharton thing, although even in Wharton, the curve tends to help you more than it hurts you

Yes they do that intentionally, even if your essay was damn good. If they started handing out A's now, it would imply that you basically did not need to take the class which...let's face it, you really don't.