Geology I/PEI

How can I Figure out my Current Grade?

The algorithm for calculating grades was discussed on the first day in class. Here is a review of how you can come up with an estimate of your current standing in the class.

First, recall from the syllabus that the weights used in calculating the final grade are assigned as follows:

Short Quizzes 20%
Exams (3) 50%
Labs 30%

You first need to compute your current percentage. To do so, let

SUMQ be the total sum of all possible points on Quizzes given thus far
MYSUMQ be the total sum of all points that you have accumulated on the Quizzes.
SUME be the total sum of all possible points on Exams given thus far
MYSUME be the total sum of all points that you have accumulated on the Exams.
SUML be the total sum of all possible points on Labs given thus far
MYSUML be the total sum of all points that you have accumulated on the Labs.

Then, your current percentage can be calculated from

MYPERC = 100*[(MYSUMQ/SUMQ)*0.2 + (MYSUME/SUME)*0.5 + (MYSUML/SUML)*0.3)]

With the exceptions noted below, your current grade is estimated from the following binning:

MYPERCEstimated Letter Grade
Greater than 90% A
Between 80% and 90% B
Between 70% and 80% C
Between 60% and 70% D
Less than 60% F

For example, suppose Fred Flinstone scored 10/15 and 12/15 on two quizzes, 60/69 on the first exam, and has three labs scores of 30/31, 23/25, and 28/30. Fred's current percentage would be

100*[(22/30)*0.2 + (60/69)*0.5 + (81/86)*0.3) = 86.4%

so Fred currently has a solid B in the class.

EXCEPTIONS

Note that there are a few important "modifiers" to the simple scheme described above:

  1. As discussed in the syllabus, Fred has to be sure to not miss more than 3 labs. If he does, he will not get credit for the class, regardless of how well he does on quizzes and tests.

  2. Also as discussed in the syllabus, Fred's worst two quiz scores will be discounted before the final grade is computed. Thus, if it turns out that Fred does much better on quizzes in the future, these lower grades at the beginnning will not affect him.

  3. The final grade will be base on a curve, and that curve ALWAYS lowers the cutoffs on the letter grades. Where exactly that cutoff will eventually wind up will depend on the performance of the class throughout the term (along with some consideration of the performance of pervious classes), BUT you can be sure that your grade will NEVER be LOWER than what is indicated in the table above. For example, if you wind up with an 80% score, you are guaranteed a B. Moreover, while Fred's current score is a guaranteed B, it may eventually become an A.