. Forum

[thewheel12]

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[gaud]

Exams are blind-graded

[rinkrat19]

No idea about grade bump (maybe talk to former students who've had your professors?), but why don't you volunteer when you think you know something? You can prepare yourself, make sure you have something coherent to say, and hopefully not say "I don't know." It could make up for botched cold calls. Plus, at least in my classes, volunteers don't get grilled for very long before the professor moves on.

[rinkrat19]

Exams are blind-graded

Some schools then show the exam grades, with names, to the professor, who can bump up or down a small increment.

[gaud]

Exams are blind-graded

Some schools then show the exam grades, with names, to the professor, who can bump up or down a small increment.

Ah, I see.

[LeDique]

Exams are blind-graded

Some schools then show the exam grades, with names, to the professor, who can bump up or down a small increment.

Even then, 90% of professors are too lazy.

[MarkRenton]

We're nearly halfway through the semester and I really haven't participated at all. The few times I have been cold called, I felt like I completely botched it. Example: I was called on for the first time today in one of my classes. I started by answering the question incorrectly and, while the professor tried to tease the answer out of me, I followed up with three "Uh, I don't know."'s.

The professor seemed (understandably) annoyed and I'm pretty sure he implied that I lacked enthusiasm. It was kind of an abstract question and I blanked. Mild social anxiety.

I've taken a lot of the 1L advice on TLS seriously and I feel pretty good about the substantive material, but I'm really concerned I'll take a hit when my exams are matched up with my name. (Note: there is nothing in this particular teacher's syllabus about grading or class participation, however, I have three other professors that explicitly note the participation component and the potential for grade adjustments).

I realize this is highly anecdotal and nearly impossible to answer, but how often and under what circumstances do you think professors will give a negative bump? Whether it be one notch..two notches..a full grade..whatever.

Yes, negative grade bumps can happen to a select few. Of course, try to be on your game for the next time you get col called, as, generally negative grade bumps are for serial offenders. And also, brown nose during office hours. That can help.

[thewheel12]

I guess I'm going to have to volunteer to make up for this.

[rinkrat19]

I guess I'm going to have to volunteer to make up for this.

Unless you have REALLY old-school Harvard-trained professors AND they're dicks, it's really not that bad.

[mr.hands]

Go see your professor in office hours with a few prepared questions. That will tell him you're interested without putting you on the spot again

[dietcoke0]

thewheel12, any chance you are a KU fan? There's a bar in Lawrence called the wheel, just a guess.

As for your question, it's most likely worse in your mind than it seemed to everyone else. Yeah, a few people crash and burn, but no one remembers it, unless it was your friend sitting next to you, and even then probably only a moment.

Thing about raising your hand, is you might annoy your prof if you do it, depending on his teaching style, and size of classroom.

If really worried about it, just go to his or her office hours, and explain yourself. (S)he will understand if you are just struggling with the material, or whatnot. Almost every exam is blind graded, so no bias, and if they were going to match you up, you would have to be almost extraordinary bad. Like rude or obnoxious.