So, what does my grade mean?

 

The following explanation of grades and discussion of the use of plus and minus

comes from the website of Dr. Nancy Stanlick, Professor of Philosophy, UCF.

This course will employ a plus/minus grading scale using the following explanations.

 

Grading Scale Explained

 

A = Superior, far exceeds average understanding as evidenced in course work and goes significantly beyond the basics.

95-100%

C = Average, meets minimum expectations and satisfies course requirements.

74-76.x%

A- = Excellent, exceeds average understanding as evidenced in course work and goes well beyond the basics.

90-94.x%

C- = Slightly below average, meets bare minimum expectations and satisfies course requirements.

70-73.x%

B+ = Far above average, meets or exceeds average understanding as evidenced in course work and fully understands the basics and goes somewhat beyond that level.

87-89.x%

D+ = Below average, meets most minimum expectations and satisfies all or most course requirements.

67-69.x%

B = Far above average, fully meets average understanding as evidenced in course work and fully understands the basics and can deal with concepts somewhat beyond that level.

84-86.x%

D = Below average, meets many minimum expectations and satisfies all or most course requirements.

64-66.x%

B- = Just above average, fully meets expectations for basic understanding as evidenced in coursework and fully understands the basics and can deal with concepts at that level.

80-83.x%

D- = Far below average, but meets most minimum expectations and satisfies most course requirements with minimal understanding evidenced in course work.

60-63.x%

C+ = Slightly above average, fully meets expectations for basic understanding as evidenced in coursework and understands the basics.

77-79.x%

F = Fails to meet minimum expectations in understanding and course work as evidenced by performance and submission of graded elements.

0-59.x%
  • Plus/Minus Grading Scale:  If you prefer not to take a course using the +/- grading scale, then don’t take this one.  Arguments abound about how it is unfair to use this scale.  One of the arguments generally runs like this:  If I get a B- in a course, and I am competing with other people for the same job or a spot in graduate school, then other people who DIDN’T have grades based on +/- might have a “B” (say, an 82) but their average was the same as mine (B-, also an 82).  In that case, I am disadvantaged by the +/- system.  Counter-argument:  If you are competing with people who did not take a course with +/- grading, and their average was an 88 (B), but yours was an 88 (B+), then YOU have the advantage.  It works both ways.