<p>What numerical grade equals an "A," "B," etc?</p>
<p>I am not sure exactly what you mean, but I will guess. If my guess is right, it all depends on the curve. In some really hard classes, especially some science and math classes, a 60 can be an A, even the highest grade in the class (having flashbacks of my quantum probablilities quiz in freshman honors chem. Thanks a lot, lol). In a basic foreign language class that same 60 might be a D or F. So unless I am misunderstanding the question, I don’t think there is a direct answer. Most teacher tell the students what the “60” means at that time. If there is a teacher that is not, I think it is fair for the student to ask for a clarification of the grading policy.</p>
<p>I understand the concept of an individual teacher’s curve policy. But, what if there is no curve? Is a 90 an “A?” or is a 93 an "A?</p>
<p>There is no standard method of conversion. Colleges have their own way of converting grades. If you can, write down the percentage grade your school gave you instead of a letter grade.</p>
<p>[Newcomb-Tulane</a> College / GPA Calculator](<a href=“http://www.tulane.edu/~ntuc/gpa.htm]Newcomb-Tulane”>http://www.tulane.edu/~ntuc/gpa.htm)</p>
<p>However, this seems to be Tulane’s policy for letter grade to GPA translation.</p>
<p>I am asking about a numerical grade in a class at Tulane where there is no mention of a curve. My d has an 88 in French, so far. If she gets it up to a 90, is that an A?</p>
<p>I understand the question now, but I am nearly certain Tulane has no policy in this regard, it is completely at the discretion of the teacher. Obviously if a teacher abused this discretion, such as saying only 97-100 was an A, something would be done. But barring a bizarre circumstance like that, they will probably not interfere. I strongly suggest she pop in on the teacher during office hours and just ask.</p>
<p>Thanks FC. The semester is going beautifully. My d couldn’t be happier. Interesting classes, challenging work, great profs, fascinating community service opportunities (last week, clearing land to aid an Hispanic farming community), making great friends and finding herself. Everyday, my h and I pat ourselves on the back (surely the kiss of death) but I’m drinking the Kool-aid for as long as it lasts. Your input and encouragement, FC, were indispensable during this whole college search/selection process.</p>
<p>Couldn’t agree with what you just said about FC, Vitrac. What an amazing contributor and wealth of knowledge!</p>
<p>Back to your original post… I was wondering the same thing. If my D has an 89 in a class, neither of us are sure if that’s a solid B or one point away from an A. In high school, 92-100 on a paper/exam/quiz was an A, but not so sure what happens at college. My D has no clue either (and nothing is mentioned on any class syllabus) and all I’ve turned up on the website is what FC provided, how letter grades translate to a GPA… Seems odd that it’s left up to each teacher and isn’t university wide. I guess she could talk with her advisor.</p>
<p>
Gee, thanks a lot! LOL, kidding, I know what you meant and you both are far too kind.</p>
<p>With regards to the grading and the lack of a standard policy, it is all because of the curve. If the university published a standard such as 90-100 = A (I am going to ignore for discussion purposes that Tulane has A-, B+, etc.), then almost everyone would flunk organic chemistry, and everyone probably would flunk Physical Chemistry. They are just really hard for a lot of people, and so setting a standard that was “firm” would be a disaster. How I read what you all are saying is “after they are curved, what is the standard”, if they are curved at all. Certainly in some classes, especially intro classes, the tests are not so hard and follow a more traditional grading pattern. So if she has an 89 in a class, she should ask the teacher where that puts her relative to the rest of the class. Of course, I am making an assumption that the 89 is the percentage she actually got right, and not an adjusted grade for the curve. If that is in fact already adjusted, I would say that is a B+ and probably a point away from an A-, but she would definitely have to ask the teacher to be sure.</p>
<p>It could well be that Tulane has a policy for what is an A, B etc. after curving, but it might be unwritten and a bit flexible. I know that if you end up with an 89 but really aced the final, the profs will sometimes give you the A-. Some won’t. I guess that is the kind of discretion they have, and I don’t disagree with that. I have never heard of one doing the opposite where if you got a 90 but did less well on the final they gave you a B+ (assuming a 90 is in fact usually an A-).</p>
<p>I will emphasize that the big lesson here for the students is to not be hesitant in asking the profs. After all, they are there to learn primarily, but no one would deny that the grade is a key goal as well. That’s just reality, and getting clarification for where they stand after a few quizzes and papers or whatever is perfectly reasonable.</p>
<p>In my d’s chem class she has been told there’s no curve… So I guess this whole grades thing is a big mystery.</p>
<p>By the way, my other d who is a freshmen at lafayette has no clue about this either so sounds like it’s not so cut and dry like high school.</p>
<p>I found this link, however my D is not enrolled in any of these classes. But this is what I’m looking for university wide, or in chem, calc, psyc & french depts: [Tulane</a> University - School of Liberal Arts - Common Course Expectations](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/liberal-arts/spanish-portuguese/basic-language-program/common-course-expectations.cfm]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/liberal-arts/spanish-portuguese/basic-language-program/common-course-expectations.cfm)</p>
<p>Oh, there you go. Good find! That is exactly the scale I would have expected, btw. But the sciences are different, as I alluded to above. So are upper level math courses and some others. I think what you found should cover French. And you are right again, it is nothing like high school in general. Far different approach and mentality, especially after the intro courses.</p>
<p>Great find…if you are looking for the grading policy for Portuguese! LOL!!Thanks Jersey!</p>
<p>Many teachers will post their “grading scale” in the syllabus. I have a professor this semester that doesn’t curve, but the course is difficult, so it the grading is a little more forgiving than the normal 90 = A-, 93 = A etc.</p>
<p>And even in a course like organic chemistry, after we just took our first exam, the professor posted a grading scheme on Blackboard which showed the curve, and he hinted that it will probably be similar for future exams. So a student would be able to get an idea of what equals an A, even in some curved classes (and THANK GOD for the curve :))</p>
<p>Sorry, I just realized zark provided the gpa calculator. Thx for that. I’m sure that will come in handy down the road. 
In the meantime, I’m encouraging my D to ask her professors.</p>
<p>To echo wysteri - each professor often sets there own “grade scale.” The most traditional breakdown for undergraduates is as follows:</p>
<p>A: 93.34-100
A-: 90-93.33
B+:86.67 - 89.99
B: 83.34-86.66
B-:80 - 83.33</p>
<p>You get the picture. Every professor I’ve taken has never established a set curve…but often people end up with better grades than they expected (attendance, curves, etc.)</p>