- Exam Grading
In grading the exam, do you use an analytic or a holistic scoring scheme (assigning points for individual steps or overall "level" of solution)? Do students start at 0 points and earn points for correct statements or do they start at 100% and lose points for mistakes? Do you give partial credit for answers and if so, how do you assign partial credit? Do you have an expected "average" score on the exam for each class? Do you "curve" exam scores?
- Do you use a straight total or percentage correct to be added to other points in the course to contribute towards a total grade, or do you give a grade to each exam?
- In assigning course grades, do you "curve" student scores? Based on what mechanisms?
I use analytic scoring for my exams (although I am a fan of holistic grading, I rarely take the time to develop the kind of rubrics required to grade--and to communicate to students how I graded). I generally use a points-off approach to decide on partial credit. Exam grades are based on standard percentages (90% and above is an A, etc.), but the percentages are figured out of the high score on the exam, rather than the total points possible. Usually the high score is nearly equal to the total points possible, so this doesn't change things too much. I find though that this protects me a bit if the exam is too long, although after many years of practice, I am getting pretty good at judging exam length.
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