Subject:
PhilCS 4/584: Re: Grading Algorithms: 201001_049223_CL
From:
"William J. Rapaport" <rapaport@buffalo.edu>
Date:
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:48:44 -0400 (EDT)
To:
"201001_049223_CL":;

A student writes:
"I understand the algorithm but I was wondering how you round. What would a 3.5 be? B+ or A-?"

Reply:
The numerical-letter grade conversion table says:

(3.50, 3.84] A-
(3.16, 3.50] B+

That's math jargon for specifying that 3.50 is a B+ but that any grade > 3.50 (e.g., 3.500000000000001) would be an A-.

To help you plan, assume the worst, namely, that if your grade is on such a borderline, you'll get the lower grade. Doing well on the final could push you over the border.

If, after all is said and done, you're still on a borderline, we can discuss it. Perhaps we'll find a point that you lost for some minor infraction on a position paper that can be renegotiated.