Grade Appeals

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Hi!

I am a nursing I student who had failed the course by 1 point. As of Fall 2010 the passing rate is 77% (previously it was 75%). Obviously, I am at a 76%, I would have passed the course if I had gotten 2 more points on my final exam. (Those 2 points would give me a 76.5% which would be rounded up to a 77%) I filed a grade appeal because the nursing program does not allow us to review the final exam after it is graded and I strongly believe I should have gotten a higher grade on my final. After looking through my required text book for the course I noticed that some of the questions on the exam could have multiple answers (I counted at least 5). We are also required to pass the ATI proctored exam with a level 1 and I ended up getting a level 2. What do you think my chances are of being granted this grade appeal and advancing into nursing II?

Thanks :o

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

As far as exams, there will always be a couple of questions with 2 or 3 possible correct answers. You must choose the best answer based on what the question is asking. If you barely scraped by in Level 1, how well do you think you'll do in Level 2?

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Specializes in ICU/UM.

I'd say your chances are not good, considering you missed the mark on the lecture grade and the ATI.

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Specializes in Emergency; med-surg; mat-child.

Getting a 76% in the class suggests you didn't do all that well on the other tests. Did you spend as much time asking questions about those tests and what you got wrong as you are on this one?

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I dont think they are that great either because you missed the mark on two accounts

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They passed the ATI portion, but not the lecture. I would say your chances are not good, but it can't hurt to appeal anyway. Although it may be a waste of time and effort, who knows. 2 points would not have passed you, but rather a semester of more effort and higher grades would. You don't just fail at the end, but it takes a trend to get you where you are. What did you do after your other tests?

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I guess that would depend on your school. At mine, you could pretty much forget about a grade appeal being successful. Here is how our instructor explained it to some of us: She said that she doesn't do any of the appeals or "fighting for points" because she would only be setting us up for failure. She said she would only be passing us on to next semester to fail because it only gets harder as you go along.

Although it would be super frustrating to fail by only a point or two, I can see her point.

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I disagree with what everyone is telling you. Sometimes your text books will contradict. I have noticed this with the ATI books vs. much more detailed text books (not a fan of ATI). I have argued test questions many times and ended up getting the points. They can't tell you you're wrong if your sitting there with a book that says your right. The nursing profession has very poorly written/ worded (ambiguous) test material that would not stand in any other field. If you know how to make an argument "critical thinking" questions can be fairly easy to pick apart and disprove...be analytical, methodical and most importantly correct. We are encouraged to challenge the material where I go. Look in the syllabus or handbook for your school, if it says you can argue questions go for it. They haveto permit you to do so if the handbook says its permitted. Try to remember the questions that you had in mind, then look up the related material, get your citations and formulate your argument.

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Honest question, have you been in another healthcare related field? And by that I mean, a licensed healthcare field.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I don't get why everyone is so negative about this. It certainly does not hurt to try. Yes, you must have not done well in your other tests. But we all know how wonky some nursing questions are and that they can be argued successfully, especially if you've got a receptive professor who is willing to hear you out. Good luck!

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I don't get why everyone is so negative about this. It certainly does not hurt to try. Yes, you must have not done well in your other tests. But we all know how wonky some nursing questions are and that they can be argued successfully, especially if you've got a receptive professor who is willing to hear you out. Good luck!

Everybody's negative until it's THEIR head on the block, then they get it together.

You're not in a great situation, but you should certainly be able to review your work. That is a basic right of any student. If your nursing department doesn't respond, I would complain to the Dean of the college your nursing program is under.

A little empathy won't kill you all! The difference between your B and the OP's C isn't very much. ;) Just remember that...

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What if no lecture was given (GI) and only a Power point was offered --- then over 65% of the class failed the exam....???Would you be asking for some help at that point?

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