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Psychology 120 - Grading and Testing
To download a copy of the SPRING 2013 Course Syllabus in PDF format, click here.
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Prelude
To ensure objectivity, and to guarantee that no student receives special privileges, your grade in Psychology 120 is based entirely on points earned from exams.
There may be special optional assignments given in class for those who seek to earn extra points.
How Is My Grade Determined?
Your final grade is based entirely on points accumulated from five exams (four midterm exams and one final exam). The lowest score from the four midterm exams is dropped. If you do not take one of the first four exams, then the score for the missed exam becomes the lowest and is dropped. The final exam may not be dropped.
How Are Points Turned Into a Grade?
Since each exam offers a possible score of 100 points, the final grade is based on a possible total of 400 points:
- 5 exams x 100 points = 500 points;
- 500 points - 100 points (for dropping the lowest exams) - 400 points.
The total points at the end of the course are converted into a grade based on the following percentages:
| Grade | Percent | Total Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100 | 360-400 |
| B | 80-89 | 320-259 |
| C | 70-79 | 280-319 |
| D | 60-69 | 240-279 |
| F | 0-59 | 0-239 |
You should keep in mind tßhat it is total points, and not an average of received grades, that determines the final course grade. Factors such as classroom participation are not used as a basis for determining a grade.
Testing
The course material of Psychology 120 is divided into four testing blocks. Testing consists of five exams, each worth a possible 100 points:
1. four midterm exams, each testing on the material of the preceding testing block, and
2. one final exam, which is comprehensive (that is, it tests on the material of the entire course).
All exams contain multiple choice and matching items. In addition, some or all exams contain short-answer essay and completion (fill-in-the-blank) questions. For each exam, you must bring to class a GradeMaster Mini Essay Book (Form 27640), which may be purchased in the campus bookstore.
Missing and Making Up Exams
The first time you miss an exam—regardless of the reason—this exam becomes the dropped exam and may not be made up. The one exception to this is as follows:
If you know that you are going to miss an exam in advance, and if you notify the instructor more than one week prior to that exam date, you may arrange for making it up.
After you have missed one exam, further missed exams may be made up by making arrangements with the instructor.