What should I do about final grade

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Is it wrong to question a grade you received? I had an online class over the summer. The teacher told us the weighted percents for each assignment. When I calculate every grade I got (from her posting it online) I calculate a 94.7% which is an A-. I used an online weighted grade calculator and I used the method we learned in statistics. However my final grade is posted as a "B+". Even though the class ended Aug 2, we didn't get our grades until this week because there was a problem with the classroom forum we were using.

I have contacted this teacher twice before, to ask about my grade, because before this week our grades were posted (my B+) but due to the forum being wrong, the grades were wrong. My classmates have had their grades raised, but mine stayed a B+. So I emailed her last night to ask if all the grades were changed including mine, and she said yes.

But I don't understand then because I calculate my grade as 94.7 based on everything. I don't want to make this teacher mad at me and there's a chance I could really be wrong! Should I say anything or accept this B+ since it's not that big a difference from an A- I guess....it's just I worked very hard on my papers and assignments. I spent the month of July with this class and my statistics class and worked very hard, I just would want the grade I deserve when you calculate all the grades I've received.

Thank you!

Edit: My grades were 100% on every assignment. Then an 80% and 89% on the midterm and final exam. But the final and midterm are weighed 20%. The other assignments were 5 discussion questions weighted 30%, 3 essays weighted 10% each, a final paper weighted 15%, and a powerpoint weighted 4%.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Could you ask your teacher what your final percentage was? It's possible that you miscalculated. If you do choose to bring it up to your teacher, I would do it very respectfully and humbly. I highly doubt you would do this, but don't go in assuming the teacher was wrong or demanding points. Just mention that you're a bit confused by your final grade. I don't think it's silly to talk to the teacher about that. If you earned an A-, you should get an A-, and sometimes teachers make little typing errors in the grade books. It happens.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree there's nothing wrong with asking, as long as you phrase it as "help me understand, because my math is coming out differently than yours" rather than "you made a mistake." Good luck! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks! Now I'm even more confused though. I wrote her to help me because I had a problem coming up with the grade that matches hers. I put down my grades and what her weighted percents are.

She replied back that she had to spend time curving each exam individually or most of the class would have failed (ouch). She said she could show me my test grades before the curve if I want.

But...so maybe either I wasn't clear or she means my final grade wasn't based off of my curved exam but my non curved grade.. I thought of asking the Dean next in person..or would that really be a mistake?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Yeah, that is really confusing. I recently messaged my micro professor & she didn't answer my question at all. I would try to email your professor again & then if she doesn't clear it up that time then I guess talk to someone else. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

But...so maybe either I wasn't clear or she means my final grade wasn't based off of my curved exam but my non curved grade.. I thought of asking the Dean next in person..or would that really be a mistake?

I think it would be a mistake to take this to the Dean at this point. She has offered to show you the non-curved grades so do that at the very least before you involve the Dean. If after all that the teacher still gives you a B+ then you will have to decide how much going from a B+ to A- is worth before taking the matter up the chain to the Dean and possibly facing some negative consequences....like pissing off the teacher who you may encounter in another class or becoming labelled as a "problem" student.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think it would be a mistake to take this to the Dean at this point. She has offered to show you the non-curved grades so do that at the very least before you involve the Dean. If after all that the teacher still gives you a B+ then you will have to decide how much going from a B+ to A- is worth before taking the matter up the chain to the Dean and possibly facing some negative consequences....like pissing off the teacher who you may encounter in another class or becoming labelled as a "problem" student.

Thanks I hesitated to ask her to see my grade before the curve because she wrote she was on vacation with her family and I felt like a bother .. I mean I'm honestly not one to speak up like this. The teacher already got mad (we think..hard to interpret email though) at my friend who had emailed her she asked the itt tech if there's still a problem with the grades posted the teacher replied about how it was inappropriate to go above her like that. So I know I'm on dangerous ground!

I don't know if it's worth getting the A-...maybe I didn't deserve it if she really had to curve my grades so much..but then again she curved everyone's...so ugh.

Part of this isn't about the grade though. It's about me that I have a history of not speaking up for myself. I'm extremely shy and not assertive and got tired of that and wanted to change. But have to pick the right battle I guess.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That does sound very confusing. I would personally wait to do anything further until I saw the original, non-curved grade.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment