<p>Title says it all. thanks!</p>
<p>Not sure, but most science classes (gen chem, physics, bio) aren’t curved, the scale is just lowered a bit if needed.</p>
<p>I got our second physics exam back today. Average was a 10.6/20. Class is “curved” so 85% = A-, 75% = B-, etc…</p>
<p>The average will be like a C/C+</p>
<p>Chemisty was pretty low as well.</p>
<p>So take that for what you will.</p>
<p>^Yeah 140 is messed up…</p>
<p>What C/C+? Most science classes are curved to B- or a lower end B overall. In physics, they lower the scale if the exams are really tough, in a way, it’s curved still.
usually it’s like 25% A’s, 30% Bs, etc</p>
<p>Physics exam I took last week had a 53% mean</p>
<p>Calc 2 exam I’m taking in two days had a 43% mean last semester.</p>
<p>How do those mean grades get curved though? Even if the mean is about a 50% does that still equals a B? How many Standard deviations above the mean do you have to be to get an A?</p>
<p>In the low leveled science classes the median grade will typically be a B-, the distinction between a curve and a moved scale doesn’t mean all that much. Basically in a curve you know exactly how many people will get each grade where as a scale you don’t. Usually they’ll give you some idea of what the average grade will be, and if they don’t it’ll probably be a B-. The only class I had that had an actual curve changed the curve in the end. Most classes will have a scale which they’ll shift around what the distribution of grades are. </p>
<p>I would say typically 85th percentile is safe for an A in most classes. This includes withdraws in all but a few classes (only exception I know is EECS280).</p>
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How many Standard deviations above the mean do you have to be to get an A?
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<p>Depends. Usually 1.5 in such classes. You’ll be safe at 2 :)</p>