NOTE: In reporting the averages from the test we drop the lowest scores. This is because 20% (1 out of 5) of all scores will eventually be dropped. In comparing your average with the class average you need to compare with an average which is representative of the final average. Dropping the lowest scores before reporting the average is one way of estimating the effect of the final drops. These posted test averages are not used in any way in computing the final overall class average. GBA 1st test 173 students took test 1 40 made below 30 133 scored 30 or more for those 133 the average was 53.3 test 1 grades 2nd test 164 students took test 2 27 made below 35 137 scored 35 or more for those 137 the average was 65.08 test 2 grades An alternative calculation of the Test 2 averages. 3rd test 151 students took test 3 30 made below 37 121 scored 37 or more for those 121 the average was 59.6 test 3 grades An alternative calculation of the Test 3 averages. 4th test 145 students took test 4 28 made below 36 117 scored 36 or more for those 117 the average was 63.1 test 4 grades An alternative calculation of the Test 4 averages. 5th test 138 students took test 5 29 made below 28 109 scored 28 or more for those 109 the average was 48.7 test 5 grades An alternative calculation of the Test 5 averages. Overall Pre-Exam Average 134 students have taken four or more tests and have more than 650 HW points. For these 134 students, the overall averages are % points HW 85.6 6.85 RECITATION 77.8 5.44 (quiz+exercises) CPS 82.8 4.14 test 56.8 34.09 _________________________________ overall 50.52 points out of 80 possible pre-exam points or 63.1% <-- Pre-Exam Average Assuming an average of 65 on the final, or 13 out of 20 points, results in a predicted overall average of 63.5. This semester, we have begun comparing with the long- term averages for the nine semesters in which I have taught PHY131. The long-term class average for those nine semesters is 62.24 (for 848 students). Since the class average for this semester is going to be close to the long-term average, we can expect the letter grade breakdown to be similar to the long-term average cutoffs. Those long-term average cutoffs are: 44.8 - 55.5 D 55.6 - 67.5 C 67.6 - 77.9 B The final grade scale will be reasonably close to this, but will primarily be determined by the location of large gaps in the final grade distribution (after the final exam). This semester, for the first time, we have begun providing histograms throughout the semester which you may use to determine your approximate standing in the class. You should figure your pre-exam total then figure how many exam points (out of 20 possible) you need to get the grade that you want. Remember that the true final grade scale ultimately depends on overall class exam performance. FINAL EXAM For the 133 students who took the final and had a chance to pass, the final exam average is 18.30 out of 40, or 45.8%. exam grades An alternative calculation of the Final Exam averages. FINAL AVERAGE 133 students took 4 or more tests plus the final exam and had more than 650 HW points. For those 133 here are the averages: % points HW 86.25 6.90 RECITATION 78.16 5.47 (quiz+exercises) CPS 82.86 4.14 test 57.96 34.78 exam 45.75 9.15 _________________________________ overall 60.44 <-- final average The final grade scale was primarily determined by the large gaps in the grade distribution. Here is that final grade scale. 40.1 - 51.4 D 51.5 - 64.6 C (above 59.9 is C+) 64.7 - 74.9 B (below 65.6 is B-, above 71.3 is B+) above 75.0 A (below 77 is A-, above 87.8 is A+) Letter grades were assigned strictly according to this scale. The highest E is 38.4, the lowest D is 40.1; the highest D is 50.3, the lowest C is 51.5; the highest C is 63.0, the lowest B is 64.7; the highest B is 73.3, and the lowest A is 75.0. The smallest gap between levels is 1.2 points between D to C. If you find a significant error in your recorded grades, the best time to see me is before 4 PM MON Dec 18th. After that time any change will require that we fill out a change-of-grade form. For information on how to figure your final grade see HOW TO FIGURE YOUR FINAL GRADE. Here is the final grade distribution for the 133 students who took four or more tests plus the final exam.
You may also view this column of grades as a text file. 131 grade distribution