What do you think about students asking for a higher grade?

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I was wondering what everyone else thought about this...I know of a student who received a C in two of his three nursing classes by just points. He contacted the professor of the one class and asked for a B since he was just a few points away, and the instructor gave it to him. He was thinking about contacting the other professor to see if he could get his grade bumped up in that class as well. What are your opinions on this? I'm of the mindset that you either earn the grade or you don't. I don't think I would have the nerve to ask for points I didn't earn, even if I was just 1 point away from a higher grade.

I have the mindset 'you get what you get!', but if a student has the courage to ask then go right ahead! The most that can happen is that you will be told no.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I was wondering what everyone else thought about this...I know of a student who received a C in two of his three nursing classes by just points. He contacted the professor of the one class and asked for a B since he was just a few points away, and the instructor gave it to him. He was thinking about contacting the other professor to see if he could get his grade bumped up in that class as well. What are your opinions on this? I'm of the mindset that you either earn the grade or you don't. I don't think I would have the nerve to ask for points I didn't earn, even if I was just 1 point away from a higher grade.

I completely agree with you and I couldn't do it either. If I know I didn't fairly earn it I won't be asking for favors and I have come within a fraction of a percent (or 1-2 points) away from a higher grade. It is extremely frustrating but at the same time I know there were other tests or something I could have put forth a little more effort I would have got that other point I needed.

I have had someone tell me before I should talk to my instructor and see if she would bump me up when I was so close, like in Microbiology I was like 4 points away from an A. Out of 1000 points. But I couldn't do it.

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My physiology instructor told us on day one that he took into consideration a student's performance during the term and would generally give that bump up to someone who was points away from the higher grade. He also instituted an extra credit bank for use when needed. So, there was no need to be asking for favors in the grading process, because this instructor already factored in the benefit of the doubt for the students. He told us that.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

We don't get extra credit, never have in any of our science Pre Reqs or Nursing classes.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.
My physiology instructor told us on day one that he took into consideration a student's performance during the term and would generally give that bump up to someone who was points away from the higher grade. He also instituted an extra credit bank for use when needed. So, there was no need to be asking for favors in the grading process, because this instructor already factored in the benefit of the doubt for the students. He told us that.

As an instructor, if you're going to do it, that's the way to do it! Announce it so everyone knows, and have a system in place for implementing. Not just because one student whined about it...

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Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

The first time I attempted RN school, I failed by one point. It's a miserable feeling, but the rules are the rules ya know?

My school WILL NOT round up. We had a boy fail the third semester with a 79.8...

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
QUOTE=dudette10;4317976] . . .From the information on your profile, looks like you've been out of school for about two decades. You'd be surprised how often people nowadays blab about being not studying for a test or hung over right before a test that means pass/fail the entire class and/or semester or what they did to attempt to get their grade over the failing mark.

Been out of nursing school for 35yrs but have been taking classes pretty regularly since then. Mostly pre-requisites in non-nursing subjects so I didn't get to know people very well. What I remember most is three rows of girls in front of me constantly messing with their hair. Twist, drop, fluff, make ponytail, drop, fluff, make bun, flip back. Gaahhh!!! Stop already!:) and also the 4 people who often raised their hand and said, "uhh, I don't have a pencil". See I find humor everywhere!:lol2:

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I've been in cases where my instructor bumps anyones grade who is 1-2% below the next grade level. And it happened to me...i had like an 89.3 and it got bumped to an A. He said as long as you tried hard and gave it your all he would do that for the students.

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My program has a very strict policy on grades. No instructors are allowed to round grades up, even if they were a point away. I've lost quite a bit of A's because of this already.

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