Can someone please explain a grade curve??

Achoo!, LPN · Feb 17, 2004

The way my class handled it, was say the highest grade was a 90%. That would then set the bar and be 100, and the rest would fall in accordingly. I have had it done for a few tests, but not for a final grade in the class.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

The way my class handled it, was say the highest grade was a 90%. That would then set the bar and be 100, and the rest would fall in accordingly. I have had it done for a few tests, but not for a final grade in the class.

Is this a NURSING class or prereq?

FutureNurse2005 · Feb 17, 2004

I guess what I want to know is, does it mean that x number of people get A's, x number of people get B's, x number of people get C's?

I'm just not sure I understand why a student would not get the grade they earned? kwim?

Thanks for your replies!

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

I guess what I want to know is, does it mean that x number of people get A's, x number of people get B's, x number of people get C's?
I'm just not sure I understand why a student would not get the grade they earned? kwim?
Thanks for your replies!

I think it means, like the other poster said, say the highest grade on an exam was a 90%. That grade would turn into a 100% and then everybody else would have an extra 10% added to their grades. If I'm wrong someone please correct me. This kind of grading does not happen at my nursing school and I'm surprised it happens at ANY nursing school.

FutureNurse2005 · Feb 17, 2004

I agree. I think you should keep what you get! lol

How does changing it help?

sigh...

Achoo!, LPN · Feb 17, 2004

That was for prereq's.

SirJohnny · Feb 17, 2004

FutureNurse2005:

- Essentially, a curve cannot hurt you -- it can only help you.

- Like the previous posters mentioned, a curve is used to "adjust" the class grades so that more students have better grade.

- Purpose for this. You can't fail everyone.

- I saw this curve thing used now and then during my comp sci/applied math degree days. Any professor, in any class can decide to use / not use a curve. Again, since it will only help you -- it's not something to really fret over.

- Do I agree with the use of a "curve". Personally, I don't care. My goal is to put my designated daily study/memorization time in. I essentially "brute force" my way to an "A" by memorizing anything/everything the prof throws my way. Worked for my comp sci classes (undergrad and grad), and is working so far for pre-req classes.

- Took Microbiology exam yesterday. Had put in about 100 hours (3 hrs/day for 5 weeks) memorization time. Had a lab exam last week - about 30 hours memorization time into that. Should be sitting with a 95% or better for the lecture exam and looks like I snagged a 100% on the lab exam.

- In this case, I probably destroyed the curve for the other folks. but I don't care. Study and you won't have to worry about a curve.

John Coxey

jemb · Feb 17, 2004

Grading on the curve means that your grade is determined by your standing relative to that of the other students in the class rather than on your absolute score.

It is based on the assumption of a bell curve distribution of test scores.

Generally, the top 10% will be 'A's, the next 20% will be 'B's, the middle 40% will be 'C's, the next 20% are 'D's, and the bottom 10% 'F's.

That doesn't necessarily mean that 10% of the class will get 'A's, either (or that 10% will fail). The percentages are scores, not people -- it is based on the average of the scores being at the center (the peak) of the bell curve, and %'s are determined by the variation between the average and the extremes.

ItsyBitsySpider, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

I remember the days of the grading curves before nursing school...how I wish they would still do them now. :crying2:

LeesieBug · Feb 17, 2004

We had an anatomy teacher that used a curve on nearly evey test, as the highest score was usually in the 60's. I can remember getting a 38%...it was a B with the curve! he just seemed to enjoy giving us IMPOSSIBLY difficult tests, then curving them....not a clue what his logic was.

RN_N_05 · Feb 17, 2004

At my school, they use item analysis to see if the majority of the class missed a particular question. If they did, the question is usually thrown out (everyone gets the points, so its extra if you got it right). Their reasoning for this is that if the majority of the class missed it, it either wasn't taught very well or the question was worded funny. This seems to be pretty fair, and if you happen to get it right, you just got an extra point.