The D211 Semester Grade Chart: Beauty or Beast?

[Gary Anderson]

The D211 grade chart is sometimes controversial. Some teachers believe that it destroys motivation. Others think it can be a useful tool as students strategize about how to prepare for final exams. What do you think?

The D211 semester grade chart is attached at the very bottom of this post in pdf form. You're welcome to print it out, frame it, whatever you want to do. Please let me know if you have questions about how to read the chart.  If you would prefer this information in calculator form, click here.

[Nick Klein]

I think that it is good. It helps students plan on what subjects they need to study more for and on what subjects they don't need to waste time on.

[Jacek Cioch]

Semester finals are pure evil, they dictate your final grade and you are holding on by a string, all of that can be change by how much you remember from 4 months ago... like seriously? we learned it once so why do we have to memorize it again?

[Alex Hepler]

Although you may not agree with me I definitely think that this chart is a beauty. I already know a formula to calculate this and all the chart does it saves me time. And It helps me reach for that extra half a grade higher on my final.

[Jack Finis]

I love this chart because it gves everyone a heads up on what they have to achieve on their final to get the grade they want. Then again, i dont like it because it gets people nervous such as, "I need to get a C!", but in reality some people blow off studying assuming theyll do alright. Overall, i'm half and half, whether it is a helper or maybe even becomes a distractor.

[Jack Andersen]

I think that this grade chart is excellent. Most students go into finals pretty stressed and nervous. If they have access to a chart like this one that can show you where you stand as far as your grades go, it gives the student an idea on what he or she has to do in order to get the grade that they want. I have used this chart since freshman year and has helped me realize what classes I need to put in extra time for studying in certain classes.

[Ben Luke]

I think that this chart is a great thing. I remember 1st semester of freshman year I went into finals scared about how they would affect my grade. Then during 2nd semester someone showed me this chart. When finals came around again I was able to figure out what grades I could receive and I was a lot less scared. By knowing what grades I could receive I was able to pick which classes I needed to study more for and which classes I could afford studying less for. By using this chart it really reduces the stress levels during an already stressful time.

[Aly Glover]

I think that the chart is a good thing for the most part. I use it to see what subjects I might need to study more for and what subjects I can get by with just looking over my notes on. However, it sometimes makes finals more stressful because you're worrying that you won't get the grade that you need to.

[haena y.]

I think the grading chart is great!! This chart tells me before hand what I need to do in order to receive my ideal grade. It sets a goal. Yes, it may destroy motivation if no matter what they may get on their final exam, but at least it allows students to prioritize what they should study more or first. This chart is like my safety blanket. Without it, I wouldn't know what kind of quarter grades I would need so I would have a grater chance for an A on my semester grades. Whoever came up with the chart is a genius.

-Haena Yun

[carla tolomeo]

I think that the grading chart is useful to students when preparing to study for finals. If they have good quarter grades, they know not to waste too much time studying for that subject. If their quarter grades are poor or on the border, they need to put more time and effort into studying for that subject. In my opinion, the chart can help students stay organized and feel more confident when testing for finals.

[Deena Bishop]

I'm a little indifferent about the grading scales. The one thing that I do for finals, is I figure out what my grade is, and what the lowest grade I need to get on the final in order to pass the semester. And after that, I calm down!

[Nick Fallico]

I don't think this motivates or demotivates me in anyway. I study and try my hardest on a test hoping I do good. But then again if I see I only need a C to keep my Semester A then yes I will study less. But I think thats a good thing because we need a break from studying for finals so much. Gives me time to relax and clear my mind and then I can study the next day.

[Michael Van]

I have used this semester grade chart for the past two years in Fremd. Using this chart, it tells me how hard I have to study on a final in order to get the grade I am looking for. This also allows me to focus on these finals and use my time wisely. If I have 2 A+ in a semester for a class, then I really don't even need to look over my notes but if I have a B- and a C+, I going to need to study hard for that final in order to get that B. In my opinion, this chart is extremely useful.