Explanation of Grading in Criminal Law, Fall 2006 (DeWolf)

            I grade each exam according to a traditional 4-point scale (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, etc.), except that I multiply the number by 10. Thus, a score of 31 would be a 3.1 or a B.

            Each segment of the exam (Multiple Choice, and the three essay questions) were graded on this scale.

            Here is the way the raw Multiple choice scores were translated into my scale:

Raw Score Grade

  2                      2

  3                      7

  4                     12

  5                     17

  6                     22

  7                     27

  8                     32

  9                     37

When the multiple choice grades were added to the grades for the essay questions, a raw score was computed. In order to normalize the distribution of grades with the other two sections, I "sweetened" the curve so that students received higher grades (at the top of the scale) compared to the raw score computed from my grading. Thus, distribution of the raw scores, and the corresponding grade assigned to that grade range, along with the number of each grade assigned, is as follows

Raw Score Range Grade (# assigned)

12.06 to 12.69          D+ (3)

14.84 to 16.34          C- (2)

18.16 to 19.72             C (9)

20.28 to 21.50          C+ (8)

22.13 to 25.03          B- (18)

25.22 to 26.38          B (9)

27.09 to 30.13             B+ (9)

30.78 to 31.91          A- (5)

32.34 to 36.56          A (7)