Getting the Grades You Want in CollegePlus how read the numbers

Each Grade: Like Opening an AccountHow much money is there in a newly opened checking account?

• When you want to open an account, you have to meet the basic requirements, work to earn a net worth, and then put those earnings into the account you created.

This is exactly how you invest in a GPA and each course grade• Unlike in high school where you seem to start

with a 100 and lose points from there, in college, you start with 0 points and have to put in what’sneeded to increase that amount. You do so bymeeting assignment requirements.

• If you want to see higher numbers, you have toput in the work—you earn it; grades aren’t free.

Meeting Assignment Requirements

Read the expectations & identify gradable partsWhen given an assignment, you have to make sure you read it carefully. Often times, the prompt will tell you exactly what you are required to have, meaning what you will be graded on. If it says you have to identify three parts of a text you are analyzing, miss any one of those parts, and you will not get credit for the absent element.

Type of writing:Look up structure

Maybe makeParagraph 1?

20%

20%

{Maybe each of these is worth 4% (4x5 = 20)

Maybe makeParagraph 2?

If each part is 20 points of 100, miss one part, and I the highest I can get is an 80

The textbook outlines this format

What kind?

Meeting Assignment RequirementsDetermine if you can use the prompt to direct you

Just like in secondary school, when you had to write a paper responding to a question, you can often turn the question/prompt into part of your answer. Make the assignment work for you, too; doing so can help by ensuring you are using the right terminology and have the right focus in your thesis statement.

Sample thesis statement from prompt:

[The author] effectively uses [this

technique], [this device], [this

strategy ], and [this appeal] to

convince [target audience] that

[whatever the main claim/message

of the author is].

Using the Assignment as an OutlineOften times, the best way to use bulleted prompts is to turn them into outlines.

If question or points are there, make sure you have addressed each one; they weren’t written out to be ignored.

Turn each question or point into part of your response to make sure you get all possible points. Over, don’t under shoot.

Paragraph 1: Intro with description of overall image (visual details) plus [my interpretation]—“claim about the artist’s message”

Paragraph 2: define and describe major object in the image

Paragraph 3: ID possible symbolic meanings for the object

Paragraph 4: show how points from Par. 2 and Par. 3 illustrate the “claim about artist’s message” related to major object (back it up)

20%

20%20%

20%

20%

100 points-----5 items=20 pts ea.

Understanding How to Use and Read GradesWhat grades can and cannot do for you

What Grades Mean

Quantitative Measures• Since in college, each assignment starts

at a zero and grows from there, what grades reflect is the graduated increase in quality of the product according to the specific assignment skills and requirements.

• This means that individual assignment grades do nothing more than measure the degree to which a student successfully performed the assigned task according to fixed standards, which all students are measured by on that one task. To pass, standards must be met.

Passing

What Grades Mean

Qualitative Indicators• Students often confuse grades for personal

judgments of an instructor or a reflection of matters of taste—like/dislike. This is not the case, even in English and the arts. Rather, instructors, who are specialized experts (professionals), grade performance of work against a discipline specific standard, which all students are accountable for.

• Quantities/measures are then later assigned like a code to help administrators and instructors monitory student skill mastery based on task performance. These standards are often set/refined nationally by area matter experts.

What Grades MeanSetting a Personal Goal• To work toward the grade you want, your

focus should not be on grades. Even though this sounds counter intuitive, the grade is not why you came to school. If you know what grades mean, you can focus on the real goal: self-investment—actually learning something.

• As such, it helps to focus on skill, content, and concept mastery instead. That means meeting the expectations of the assignment by understanding its purpose, practicing the skills, and producing work that reflects comprehension. Thus, to get higher grades, you have to go beyond what is required and show that you know what is asked of you.

Grade Breakdown & Using the SyllabusFiguring percentages and planning for future grades

Percentage Grade BreakdownsHow the syllabus helps to calculate your grade

Remember that your syllabus is your friend. It will help clarify a lot of information, including how grading is done, but you have to know what category each assignment falls under.

When grades are done by percentage, you have to keep in mind that a bad grade at a small percentage will not have a big impact in the long run.

There are seven journals in the class.

Each one is averaged within that category:

(J1 + J2 + J3 + J4 + J5 + J6 + J7) 7 =

That average then only counts for 10% of the total class grade, so each journal is worth only about 1.4%

(~46 total = .001% ea.)

(7 total = 1.4% ea.)

Figuring Grades Using PercentagesTo find out where you are compared to where you have to go

Your grade may change a lot despite what shows in the grade book because of how category percentages are weighted.

Instead of focusing on individual assignment grades, notice which category those grades belong to. The average of the category is what to pay attention to the most. Averages by

category

3.7%

84

47

9085

91

74

40% Not turned in yet}

→→→

→→→

4.7%9.1%

9%8.5%

12.6%

48%___________

(47 x .10 = 4.7) (91 x .10 = 9.1) (84 x .15 = 12.6)

(85 x .10 = 8.5) ( 9 x .10 = 9)

(74 x .05 = 3.7)

Figuring Grades Using PercentagesThe grade may change quite a bit between mid- and end-of-semester

Since the last essays are worth more, they will make a bigger impact on the final grade. The gradebook for this student shows an 80 right now with 40% still to be turned in.

If she gets an 88 on E4, a 92 on E5, and 100 on the outline, her final grade will end up an 85. If she gets a 75, 70, and 50, then her final grade will be a 76.

Averages by category

3.7%

84

47

9085

91

74

→→→

→→→

4.7%9.1%

9%8.5%

12.6%

85%___________

Grade Now:48 of 60 = 80

88 → 13.2%92 → 18.8%100 → 5%

Grade w/ last 40%:85 of 100 = 85

It seems a bit complicated, but with a little organization and concentration you can figure it out!

Before emailing a professor to ask if he or she will do the work for you, try plugging in your own numbers.Responsibility

Take control of your education!

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