I hate our grading system in America.
I’m not sure how grades work in other countries (maybe someone can tell me in the comments), but here, it’s everything. I didn’t used to see the flaws when I was a kid. But now, as an adult, I can’t help but question the validity of grades altogether.
Today I took a test and felt confident—I just knew I got at least a B. When I checked my score, it said 79. Huh?
That one test dropped my perfect grade down to a 92.
And sure, I know what you might be thinking: “A 92 is still good, why are you complaining?”
Yes, I get that. But it doesn’t feel accurate. I studied hard for that test. Seeing that “C” made me feel like my efforts were just… average.
Here’s the kicker: there were only 13 questions. Getting 2 wrong would’ve been an 84. Getting 3 wrong would’ve been a 76. So where did the 79 come from?
Was I given partial credit for one?
Were the questions weighted differently?
I was confident. I double-checked my work. I was only unsure about one question. But somehow missing 2.5 questions equals a C? That’s mind-boggling.
When I asked the professor which ones I got wrong, he said we’d go over it in class on Tuesday. Keep in mind—the class is on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Now look, I’m not trying to attack the man. People make mistakes. But what happens when those mistakes keep happening?
He handwrites problems and sometimes puts the wrong answers. He mixes up numbers when copying them from the book to the board. He struggles with technology. Right now, there are assignments in our portal that are marked due in January and February of 2025—even though the class started in May.
So no—I’m not being dramatic (even if I’m being a little bratty). But what if his mind confused some of the problems? What if, when he typed up the test, he input the wrong numbers? I’m not saying it happened for sure—but I’m not ruling it out either.
Guess I’ll have to wait until Monday.
Also if you’re someone grading papers, make sure you’re competent enough to be teaching the subject in the first place.
Anyway, back to my main point: if the test had been out of 20 points and I missed 3, I’d have scored an 85. But because it was only 13 questions, my grade got shortchanged—and that made it lower. In hindsight if there were more questions I would have had a better chance of getting a higher grade. Strange, right or am I tripping?
I’m not trying to whine or anything—he made it 13 questions, so it is what it is.
But maybe the grading system isn’t the best tool for determining whether someone has truly passed or failed a class.
Anyway, the whole situation stressed me out.
I need a drink.
Echo R.S 