<p>There are TAs who are less than professional and professors who grade in odd ways. But they are usually the exception, rather than the rule. I think that a student who averages one disappointing grade per semester could reasonably blame it on the TAs, but students who are consistently disappointed need to search for other causes of the problem as well.</p>
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<p>This may not be enough to ensure an A for several reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Homework assignments in college are usually fewer and farther between than in high school. There may be a substantial amount of course material not included in the problem sets that students need to learn on their own.</p></li>
<li><p>Many college tests are essay-style. Students who have difficulty with writing may lose points because their answer isn’t sufficiently coherent or because they don’t know how to respond appropriately to an essay prompt.</p></li>
<li><p>The sophistication expected on college papers is often much greater than what was required in high school. </p></li>
<li><p>Some material is just plain difficult. Going to class and doing the reading may not be enough. Students may have to seek out extra practice problems, go to the TA or professor’s office hours, work with other students, or even seek tutoring to master some subjects.</p></li>
</ol>