What type of grading scale do college professors usually use?

Question

I realize that this is going to vary some based on what college you attend and which instructor that you have. Can those of you with college experience give me an idea of what you encounter most often?
1. Do college professors usually follow the same scale that I grew accustomed to in high school? (i.e. 90% and above =A, 80-89% =B, and so on)

2. Do professors typically grade exams based on the total percentage correct, or are they more likely to grade on a curve based on overall class performance?

Thank you for your input!

Answer 1

Yes, most professors at most universities grade on the typical 100 point scale.

Curves are rare in the arts, social sciences, and humanities, but common in some of the hard sciences (physics, chemistry, etc.).

In each class, you will receive a syllabus that delineates exactly how grades are assigned. This will include the weight of each assignment (20% of your grade derived from participation, 40% of your grade derived from your term paper grade, etc.).

Do not be like some students who ignore the syllabus and then are surprised by the grades they earn at the end of the course. Think of a syllabus as both a contract and a road map. Your "contract" tells you what is expected of you when you enroll in the course. Your "road map" tells you what is coming up next, and when.

Best wishes to you!

Answer 2

Most of my college professors grade on a typical 90-100=A, 80-89=b, etc. However, I have had a few professors that graded on a curve. Often times, it was impossible to know what your letter grade would be until the end of the semester. I've had about half and half, so it's really just a person to person difference.

Answer 3

Every professor decides for themselves how they will grade the course. Apparently it was a very easy class if you earned a 99%; those grades are almost unheard of in demanding courses. Your professor only grades like that because everyone is scoring in the high 90's.