I just got a mark back for one of my classes, and it is much lower than expected. I received 80% or higher on every test and assignment, but my final mark is so low that I would have had to fail the final exam in order to receive this mark - which I don't think was possible, considering how I felt about the exam questions and how I've perfomed in the course so far.

Does anyone know if profs shift marks down? Like a bell curve, but opposite? I'm going to make an appointment to see my exam, because I think something is fishy, but I'm getting kind of nervous. Has anyone heard of a prof bringing people's final marks or exam marks down?

Originally Posted by Kathy2

I just got a mark back for one of my classes, and it is much lower than expected. I received 80% or higher on every test and assignment, but my final mark is so low that I would have had to fail the final exam in order to receive this mark - which I don't think was possible, considering how I felt about the exam questions and how I've perfomed in the course so far.

Does anyone know if profs shift marks down? Like a bell curve, but opposite? I'm going to make an appointment to see my exam, because I think something is fishy, but I'm getting kind of nervous. Has anyone heard of a prof bringing people's final marks or exam marks down?

Don't think so, but could be a marking/uploading error?

The prof probably just derped up entering your mark into the system. Just contact them and ask what's up.

Did your exam involve a scantron? It might be a bubbling error...

No scantran, it was essay questions.

Originally Posted by Kathy2

No scantran, it was essay questions.

with essay question exams, it's possible that the prof chose to be really picky with the marking...especially if the class average was high...this wouldn't be considered shifting marks down per say, rather just marking hard to lower the average.

Maybe there was another component to the exam that you forgot to do.

Originally Posted by SciMania

with essay question exams, it's possible that the prof chose to be really picky with the marking...especially if the class average was high...this wouldn't be considered shifting marks down per say, rather just marking hard to lower the average.

I know, and I'm kind of dreading that. I've been at Mac for 5 years and this is the first time this has ever happened. I can't imagine him being THIS picky, because I bet tons of people would have ended up failing the course :/

Originally Posted by Kathy2

No scantran, it was essay questions.

Mistakes happen. You should contact your prof ASAP!

lets say somebody gets 76.76, would they make it 77? or would I have to submit myself in my profs feet?

Originally Posted by mcmastergcdb

lets say somebody gets 76.76, would they make it 77? or would I have to submit myself in my profs feet?

unfortunately that's a 76.76...... have a talk with the prof, try to think of something where u can gain some marks, submitting urself prolly wont work.

Are you sure about all of your other marks or are some (like participation) an estimate? I'm guessing you probably don't have participation marks but if you do, I've been to every class before and accidentally received a really low mark.

Also, when I Emailed the prof to correct it (on avenue) she bumped up my midterm mark instead of my participation, so it could be that the prof either typed in something wrong, weighed something wrong, or marked really hard on the exam, but I personally wouldn't think that you would ever get anything lower than 50 on an essay style exam unless you left things blank.

Originally Posted by KN1991

Are you sure about all of your other marks or are some (like participation) an estimate? I'm guessing you probably don't have participation marks but if you do, I've been to every class before and accidentally received a really low mark.

Also, when I Emailed the prof to correct it (on avenue) she bumped up my midterm mark instead of my participation, so it could be that the prof either typed in something wrong, weighed something wrong, or marked really hard on the exam, but I personally wouldn't think that you would ever get anything lower than 50 on an essay style exam unless you left things blank.

There was no participation, just assignments and tests. I have gone over my marks like 5 times to make sure I haven't missed anything or miscalculated, and I've had someone else double check. I agree that failing an essay style exam is pretty strange, and I definately didn't leave anything blank. I've emailed the prof, now I'm waiting for a response.

Thanks for your replies everyone! I'll let you know what happened when I hear from the prof.

Math I was expecting an 8 but wouldn't be disappointed with a 7, got a 5 somehow. I wrote a letter to the department because I can't see how I could go that low, could be a data entry error.

Originally Posted by Kathy2

There was no participation, just assignments and tests. I have gone over my marks like 5 times to make sure I haven't missed anything or miscalculated, and I've had someone else double check. I agree that failing an essay style exam is pretty strange, and I definately didn't leave anything blank. I've emailed the prof, now I'm waiting for a response.

Thanks for your replies everyone! I'll let you know what happened when I hear from the prof.

Are you talking about Geo 2HI3? I got a petty good final mark and my assignments weren't really in the 80s...but I know I did really good on the exam. Keep in mind the exam was worth 40%, so if you did really bad it could have affected your final mark more. Maybe you should go talk to the prof and ask to see your exam and make sure there is no error.