The "Curve"

[New 2 iceeYouRN]

So after being in a BSN program for my second year I have come to have mixed feelings on the "curve". Many instructors do it many different ways, whether it be by extra credit questions, or using the highest grade and tapering accordingly, or whatever. However I have come to feel uneasy about the curve. It inflates our grades on exams an avg of about 8-10%. I have heard a professors theory on the curve and it once pacified my concerns, however I have forgotten what she said. So I'm asking you all out there, what is your theory on curving nursing exams, and what theories have you heard for rationales by professors?

Thanks!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

This is all true. However, if the school consistently does not have a high enough percentage of students passing the NCLEX, their Board approval as a school of nursing can be revoked. You'd have to look at the rules for that specific state to see what the acceptable pass rate is. In my state, it's 85%.

that would be % of students being allowed to sit for nclex, not the number that graduated....