Question regarding class curves

peacelovestar · Nov 4, 2007

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goldenngrrl · Nov 4, 2007

So I'm in a 290 person A&P 1 class. For the first test we had 60 questions and the avg score was a 33. The highest was a 50 and I got a 41. This would seem to put me in the low B range because the teacher curves it but in actuality, I pretty much failed the thing. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Do a lot of other professors curve because to be honest, I don't really know if this is fair.
I'll probably end up getting a B in the class but avg with ~70% on the tests. It makes me wonder if other classes are curved? Is your class graded on a curve? If it's not I give you MAJOR kudos if you pass. The majority of MY class would get F's or D's if he didn't curve.

Our test grades in my Anatomy class are curved as well. The average raw score for our first test was a 34, and the average curved score was a 77. I ended up getting a 70 with the curve. So in reality, I actually got around the high 20s without the curve. My teacher is perfectly fine with curving like this, since he knows that the whole class would fail without it. He said he purposely sets up our tests so that we'll almost be guaranteed to get 50% of the questions wrong, and he said that if we're worried about grades and getting an A in the class, we're in the wrong place. He'd rather us get a C+ and understand the material and not do as well on tests, then us get an A and only do good on the tests but memorize everything. That being said, there were people in my class who got in the high 90s on the first test, but in reality their real scores were in the failing range.

In Biochemistry, however, our professor doesn't curve anything. Awesome, considering our last test class average was a 55 :uhoh3:

AnxiousStrawberry · Nov 4, 2007

Test grades are curved in my chemistry class. If you do bad though, it really does not help too much though because if the test is out of 190points, the high grade is normally about 180-185...

SparklyGirl · Nov 4, 2007

My three classes (Physiology, Anatomy (I took them seperately) and Microbiology) were all slightly curved. But we never had such a low mean on a test. I think the lowest mean was on our first micro exam which was around a 60. My final scores in my classes were like (91, 91, 95 without the curve).

RNDreamer · Nov 4, 2007

my biology prof is the same way!...He informed us that he sets up the exams so that the highest grades would end up to be in the 70s...but he also curves ...he would rather us understand the material then memorize and walk away knowing nothing....

However, in my anatomy class, you get what you get...with up to 5 extra credit points if you did the extra credit assignments

Our test grades in my Anatomy class are curved as well. The average raw score for our first test was a 34, and the average curved score was a 77. I ended up getting a 70 with the curve. So in reality, I actually got around the high 20s without the curve. My teacher is perfectly fine with curving like this, since he knows that the whole class would fail without it. He said he purposely sets up our tests so that we'll almost be guaranteed to get 50% of the questions wrong, and he said that if we're worried about grades and getting an A in the class, we're in the wrong place. He'd rather us get a C+ and understand the material and not do as well on tests, then us get an A and only do good on the tests but memorize everything. That being said, there were people in my class who got in the high 90s on the first test, but in reality their real scores were in the failing range.
In Biochemistry, however, our professor doesn't curve anything. Awesome, considering our last test class average was a 55

catzy5 · Nov 5, 2007

It wont let me edit! I'm asking because of a thread I read on another board. I'm kind of concerned that people are actually getting true A's (A's that arent based on a curve) and I'm going to have to step up my game 100% to keep up in nursing school. I do know I have to step up my game a lot but I want to be in the ballpark at least.
I'm NOT saying that your A is any less of an A because it was based on a curve, I'm just wondering how common curving is.

I got A's in all my pre reqs, the only class that curved was chemistry and I thought that was ridiculious, I usually got an A without the curve but it was a very hard class his questions were very challanging. Ap and micro didn't curve they were tough but with alot of work it all paid off.

Music in My Heart · Nov 5, 2007

Not one of my prerequisites has been curved. Very few of any of my classes have been. I think curves are ridiculous and have never needed the benefit of one.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2007

In all the classes I've taken over the years (in community college and in a University and including my tech school I'm in now for LPN) I have had only ONE class that graded on a curve.

I'm sure others will disagree with me and thats fine but I think grading on a curve is so unfair to those who bust their humps and get good grades without the curve.

I do have a few classes now, where the teacher tries to help the few who are just below the passing mark. They come up with graded homeworks, open book quizes etc, to help push the failing students over to the passing side. Fine..trying to help them out, but those of us who are passing have to do all the extra work too. Taking time away from our other classes we need to study and prepare for.

Anyway, I don't believe in grading on a curve. If the tests are that hard where everyone is failing, maybe the teacher needs to take a look at their teaching style and how they present the material.

peacelovestar · Nov 5, 2007

In all the classes I've taken over the years (in community college and in a University and including my tech school I'm in now for LPN) I have had only ONE class that graded on a curve.
I'm sure others will disagree with me and thats fine but I think grading on a curve is so unfair to those who bust their humps and get good grades without the curve.
I do have a few classes now, where the teacher tries to help the few who are just below the passing mark. They come up with graded homeworks, open book quizes etc, to help push the failing students over to the passing side. Fine..trying to help them out, but those of us who are passing have to do all the extra work too. Taking time away from our other classes we need to study and prepare for.
Anyway, I don't believe in grading on a curve. If the tests are that hard where everyone is failing, maybe the teacher needs to take a look at their teaching style and how they present the material.

I agree with you. Curving is saving my butt...but I don't think it's fair.

I think the test my professor gave was just ridiculously hard and nobody expected it.

Glina · Nov 5, 2007

None of my classes are curved. Honestly, I found this very unfair, if not, stupid. This is college and we are all grown ups. So, if majority of people are slackers and lazy and they don't study enough, the standard is going to be set up according to them and the class will be curved??? I am sorry, but, I just do not get this. My anatomy class started with 27 people and only 13 are left. Out of those 13 only 7 or 8 of us will pass. If they spend 20 hrs a week studying for this class, I bet they will at least get a C and not 30%.

Glina · Nov 5, 2007

Before I came to USA I never heard of this. I thought it's a joke the first time I heard about it. So, basically all you have to do before test is to talk to each other and decide not to study and you all will pass?