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How Do I Create a Grading Curve?

Sometimes, when you administer a test, your students didn't do as well as you hoped they would or the grade distribution was not what you expected. Perhaps you have more failing grades and fewer grades in the A or B range. In these instances, you can offset the results by curving the test grade, which is one way to increase the likelihood that a certain set of grades appear. There are several different types of curves that you can choose from. When deciding to grade on a curve, use the method that best suits your purpose. Consider the extent of extra points students can receive and whether it is a reasonable and sufficient number of points with respect to balancing the grade distribution.

Instructions

    • 1

      Subtract the highest test grade from the highest possible grade. Take the highest grade a student can get, for example, 100, and subtract the highest grade received on the test. For instance, if the highest grade received on your test was a 92, then subtract 92 from 100.

      100 - 92 = 8

    • 2

      Add eight points to everyone's exam grade. This curve would make it possible for a student to score a 100, and all other grades can also improve by eight points. This is a simple and quick way to curve the grades when no student has received a perfect score.

    • 3

      Remove the most missed questions. Take this next step if one of your students did receive a perfect score. When grading your tests, if you notice that, for example, question 10 was frequently missed by a majority of your students, remove it so that it carries no weight on the exam.

    • 4

      Return the graded test and allow your students to redo the answers they got wrong. This is beneficial because it allows your students to rework the incorrect responses, thereby providing further reinforcement of the material. Regrade the reworked test and give a percentage of the new points, such as 20 or 30 percent. Add that new percent to their final grade. For example, your student received a 67 on an exam. On the revised exam, she got a 92. Then you would grade it as follows:

      67 + (92 - 67) x 0.3 = 75

    • 5

      Add extra-credit questions at the end of the test to allow students to earn extra-credit points that can be used to replace incorrect answers. Add one to three extra-credit questions at the end of an exam, but ask that the students only complete one question. Allow the students to choose which question they want to answer. Offer no more than five extra-credit points for a correct response. Adjust the credit value as necessary depending on the type of question offered.

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