Should I argue with my professor on this?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around a first-year chemistry midterm exam that was perceived as unfair by students, with only 40% of the questions covering material taught in class. The professor's reliance on textbook slides and the inclusion of advanced analytical chemistry questions contributed to student dissatisfaction. Participants suggest that students should gather collective evidence of the exam's unfairness before approaching the professor or administration, emphasizing the importance of understanding grading curves and the nature of college-level exams.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of college-level examination formats
  • Familiarity with grading curves and their implications
  • Knowledge of student rights and resources, such as student ombudsmen
  • Basic concepts of analytical chemistry
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of student ombudsmen in addressing academic grievances
  • Learn about effective strategies for discussing academic concerns with professors
  • Investigate how grading curves are applied in university courses
  • Study the differences between high school and college examination expectations
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for first-year college students, particularly those in STEM fields, who are navigating the challenges of academic assessments and seeking to understand their rights and resources in addressing perceived unfairness in grading.

  • #91
flyingpig said:
For some reason, we are not allowed to get the exam back. But class average was 40%... and no scaling.

Wow...that's a *very* poor policy. I've never heard of such a thing. What's the professor's justification for not handing back the exams?
 
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  • #92
lisab said:
Wow...that's a *very* poor policy. I've never heard of such a thing. What's the professor's justification for not handing back the exams?

No one had the guts to ask...

Let's just say when our prof announced it, the atmosphere was very dark...

I should also mention that it has been a week after the midterm and it seems like the professor "moved on" because nothing of the midterm was ever spoken again.
 
  • #93
atyy said:
twofish-quant said:
Welcome to college. You should give your professor a gift and say good things about them in their student evaluation because they are doing what a college professor should do.

You are not in high school any more. The rules are different. Most of the material on college tests will not be material that is directly covered in the courses and this is a good thing. Learn to get used to this, because this is going to be the way things are for now on, not just in college but in life.

The good news is that it probably won't damage your grades. You'll get a grade that seems really bad, but because things are curved, if you answer three questions out of five and most other people answer two, then you'll end up with a good grade.
I hope MIT isn't like this.

It's not, or at least not anymore. Either that, or I've had an extremely easy course-load.
 
  • #94
lisab said:
Wow...that's a *very* poor policy. I've never heard of such a thing. What's the professor's justification for not handing back the exams?

i've been in classes that have had this policy. you were never given your exams back even at the end of the semester. one person asked why and the teacher said he had to keep them for records / grades or something like that. real vague answer. if you wanted to look at the exam you could go to office hours and view it there in their presence.
 
  • #95
flyingpig said:
No one had the guts to ask...

Let's just say when our prof announced it, the atmosphere was very dark...

I should also mention that it has been a week after the midterm and it seems like the professor "moved on" because nothing of the midterm was ever spoken again.

flyingpig said:
For some reason, we are not allowed to get the exam back. But class average was 40%... and no scaling.

sounds like it's time to take a visit to the deans office
 
  • #96
proof said:
i've been in classes that have had this policy. you were never given your exams back even at the end of the semester. one person asked why and the teacher said he had to keep them for records / grades or something like that. real vague answer. if you wanted to look at the exam you could go to office hours and view it there in their presence.
Well, if you can see the exams, I don't really see a problem as far as this is concerned.
 
  • #97
Ryker said:
Well, if you can see the exams, I don't really see a problem as far as this is concerned.

still a very strange policy...
 
  • #98
not to go into detail of effective teaching style,

OP, if I am in your situation I would want to think of a solution. Why can't you go talk to the professor? I don't mean go to argue or complain, but go talk to him/her politely and ask for advice on how to better approach this kind of exam. I would want to know the reasoning behind giving this kind of exam. And if you can't fix this midterm grade, then you will want to know how to do better next time right?
That's my opinion, but I am used to all my professors being very reasonable and helpful (and I am thankful for having them as my professors).
 
  • #99
proof said:
i've been in classes that have had this policy. you were never given your exams back even at the end of the semester. one person asked why and the teacher said he had to keep them for records / grades or something like that. real vague answer. if you wanted to look at the exam you could go to office hours and view it there in their presence.

yeah pretty much, except that the office hours are nearly incompatible with many people
 
  • #100
Then you make an appointment.
 

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