This document provides a translation guide for percentage grades on assignments and exams. It uses metaphorical language and hypothetical conversations to describe the level of understanding or performance associated with each grade range. The guide characterizes a 0% as complete lack of understanding, a grade between 50-59% as a basic or minimum level of understanding, and grades between 80-100% as excellent or superior understanding of the course content.

1. Dr Stephen Dann stephen@stephendann.net
@stephendann www.stephendann.net
The %
Translation Guide
Grade Range
I am displeased. I am disappointed. My dissatisfaction will be
communicated to you in a manner that ensures that you are most
uncomfortable with your decision for an extended period of time. 0
Cheated
Regret is a powerful tool for learning, and I will see to it that
something educational happens to you in this assessment task.
That was short and painful. Neither of us is looking forward to the
consultation session following this one. This could be time for
EF 0
one of those conversations that starts with “How do we resolve
this in a manner that lets you exit gracefully?”
Unfortunately, you just demonstrated that you don’t know the
course content. It’s going to possibly end in tears, because it
10%-40
F certainly created more frustration than it solved. This will
%
usually have the conversation that starts with “How do we ensure
that we don’t have this conversation again this semester?”
You sort of know the course content. Maybe. Either way, we’re
both glad that’s over, and really, neither of us would like to
mention it again if at all possible. If this was an exam where you
left early, I understand. If this was an assignment, and I don’t see
you, I understand. Submit, pass, keep moving, and get out of the
subject in survival mode. Been there, done that, passed go,
P 50-59%
collected 50% and never looked back.
If we are having a conversation, it will start with “Okay, from
here, your options are…” or “This is where it went right.
Replicate that paragraph’s style more frequently next assessment
item”.
You know the course content. You’re okay at it. It’s been
pleasant enough to mark this answer. Maybe a little frustration
here and there as a point was missed, but no worse than watching
the home team miss an open shot on goal. Okay, maybe a little
bit worse, or a little more painful when you look at the replay
and go “Oh no, how did I miss that?”.
C 60-69%
If we’re having a conversation, it’s usually going to be a bit
awkward, because there’s that moment when you’re looking at
the answer or the marksheet and say “Oh” very quietly, and try
not to look embarrassed. It’s okay, the whole point of the
conversation is to be able to move on, unfriend the assignment
and block it on Facebook. It’s okay, I’ve been there. I know.
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2. 2
You know the course content. You’re good at it. This is good, it
was fun, and it’s been really solidly crafted. The future is in good
hands, and you should feel confident in your work.
That said, if you do come and see me, I’m going to be the
D 70-79%
embarrassed one who can’t actually articulate why the D wasn’t
an HD other than “Sufficiently Distinguishable from Magic1”
That, and your paper was beaten to the top of the pack by one or
more of the HD papers. Competitive grading can be a killer for
almost great papers.
You know the course content. You’re very good at it. It’s been
amazing to mark this paper, and it’s been enjoyable to read. The
sense of satisfaction and happiness you’re feeling from the grade
is quite similar to the satisfaction I’ve felt at reading this answer.
HD 80-89%
We’re probably never going to have a conversation about the
assessment item. That’s okay, because you’re going to be
otherwise occupied by being awesome, and basking in glory.
Enjoy it.
You know the course content. You’re great at it. It’s been an
honor to mark this paper, and it’s been a privilege to have served
as your instructor.
There’s been a sense of discovery, learning, and the odd whistle
of appreciation as you’ve executed one of those amazing moves
90-100
SHD in text that we discuss in hushed tones at the examiner’s
%
meetings.
You are the subject of myth and legend, and we’re going to tell
bigger and better stories about this assignment over the years.
Have you consider a career on this side of the lectern?
1
Clarke's Third Law: Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Profiles of
the Future (revised edition, 1973), http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke
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