grade on a curve
Adjust scores statistically
To grade on a curve is to adjust test scores relative to how the class performed rather than against a fixed standard.
If everyone scores low, the highest scores still get top grades.
The practice acknowledges that a difficult test may not reflect students' actual knowledge.
Figuratively, grading on a curve means judging something by relaxed or relative standards: Given the circumstances, we're grading his performance on a curve.
- assessment methodsMeans of measuring performance
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
- z-scoreStandardized deviation measure
- standard deviationSpread around the mean
- extra creditOptional work for higher grades
normal distribution · histogram · equity · percentile rank · academic standards · skewness · mean · academic pressure · meritocracy · bias · median · class rank · mode · variance · learning outcomes · cutoffs · transparency · formative assessment