eli5: How do classes that mark on a curve work?
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Grading on a curve is an inexact term, but in general it means adjusting the scores such that students fall into a certain preset pattern of results rather than taking the raw scores as absolute values.
For example, lets say I go with a traditional scoring system as follows:
* 90-100% = A
* 80-89% = B
* 70-79% = C
* 60-69% = D
* 59% or less = F
I have my students take a test with 100 possible points, so its easy to find out what percent they have. Lets say the best student in the class only gets 70 points. Its possible the students just aren’t that good. Its also possible I made the test too hard. So to adjust for that I “curve” the results so that 70 points is the new top score. That means 35 would be 50% (and an F). This basically boosts everyones results.
However, that doesn’t mean its the correct way to grade, its simply an option. And its not the only way to “curve” a result. In fact the original meaning (and where you get the term curve) comes from a different way of adjusting results.
The original meaning uses a “normal distribution” (here normal has a mathematical meaning) sometimes called a bell curve because of its shape. A normal distribution is a formula such that values are distributed in a certain way. The exact definition uses some math thats a bit above ELI5, but the main idea is that half the results should be above the average, and half should be below. In addition most results should be close to average, with fewer results far from average (either above or below). Its also a symmetrical distribution, meaning that it looks the same on either side of the average. The shape is also called a normal curve, because of the curved line that represents it when graphed.
To grade on a curve in that case means that exactly half your students should have results above average, and half below, and very few should get the highest grade. Using a normal curve and standard deviations (don’t worry about the meaning of that) you’d end up with the following distribution of results:
* 2% of the students would get A’s
* 14% of the students would get B’s
* 68% of the students would get C’s
* 14% of the students would get D’s
* 2% of the students would get F’s.
The idea is that MOST people should be at or close to average. But what if its a small class, say 20 students and they are all very smart? Why should some of them get below average scores if they ALL know the material well?
Grading on a curve should be used appropriately depending on what is being measured and how it is being measured. There is no one “right” way to do it (if you should even do it at all!).
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