With standard scores, letter grades are separated by about 10 points or one standard deviation. If your standard score improves by 10 points, you have improved by approximately one letter grade. D. Makeup exams are arranged in case of urgent necessity, and generally require a written medical excuse. As a rule, they are to be avoided, as they are longer and harder. Like any grading system this one presupposes students trying to learn the subject.
Bad things can happen when students focus on the rules instead of the subject.
Because classes with higher achievement receive more high grades than classes with lower achievement, you are in effect competing as a team against previous classes taught by the same instructor rather than as an individual against your classmates. Since there is a subjective evaluation of the performance of the class as a whole after the final, the interpretation of the standard scores on all of the mid-terms can change. Each Thursday, the problems assigned for the previous week are due. Discussing homework problems and how to solve them with fellow students is strongly encouraged . Cheating begins when you copy another's work instead of working it out yourself.