<p>I asked a question on curves a while back but I don't really get it...</p>
<p>What's considered a "harsh" curve and what's considered a "nice" curve?</p>
<p>Can someone explain this to me in detail please?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>If you are referring to the sciences, a curve in an intro chem or bio class might be like this:
The mean class score on a test out of 100 points could be about 60-70. Someone who gets this score may get a B or a B-. Then, using all of the class scores, the standard deviation is calculated. Most scores will fall in between one standard deviation below the mean and one above. If your score is one standard deviation above the mean, you will probably get an A or an A-.
This is very general, there are always differences from class to class, but this scenario gives you a general idea of how it works. It is very different from high school where an A is a 93, A- 90 B 86, etc. On a very difficult test, the class average could be 50-60, or even lower. It all depends on the class.</p>
<p>usually curves are done by percentile basis. The curves ppl complain about are like under 10% As and 15% A-s or so (I’m referring to top x% of the class).</p>
<p>I hear most complaints when the average in a class is above a 90% but the professor strictly sticks to 25% As. If over half of all students master over 90% of thr material on a test they all should have some sort of A. Professors should either give everyone a good grade or make tests more difficuy to differentiate strong students from the rest.</p>
<p>@venkat: exactly, its pretty lame that the curve is scrunched so tight. Instead of pushing us to study hard, I’m more inclined to study less. Since I get the material and ace the practice exams, its more of an issue of whether I mess up on arithmetic or something and get dropped to an a- :(.</p>
<p>So I was wondering, what is a good GPA at Penn? If one is in the sciences (say chemistry or biophysics) how common is it to have above a 3.6? I took Biol 101 at Penn last summer through the pre-college program and got an A (I believe the class was curved in the method I described above). I did a lot of work, but I felt very comfortable and prepared in the class. However, I know this was a summer course, so it will probably be different taking a full load with the content more spread out. I was just wondering what I should expect next fall.
I will definitely take Math 114 (I have the 5 on BC) and either Chem 101 or whatever I place into if I take the departmental exam. I’m taking Physics C this year, so I am hoping that I will get the credit for mechanics and E and M (I feel very prepared, but I don’t want to assume anything). I will probably take a writing or humanities class as well.</p>
<p>sciences or engineering?
engineering avg is around 2.8
CAS avg is about 3.5 but will prob be lower for some subjects</p>
<p>it’s not hard even to get a 4.0, depends how much you want to push yourself. You can take joke courses and reduce your courseload and it becomes pretty easy. If you go for the rigorous courses then it does get ‘difficult.’ Difficulty isn’t about the course itself though. Its more like you can’t screw up, which is fine… until you do since it will bar you from that A for the rest of the semester.</p>