›
To take part in discussions on talkSFU, please apply for membership (SFU email id required).

Calculating grade to pass a course

rb80
edited August 2009 in General
Hey guys, I need some help..

I'm in a crim class that shouldn't have been too bad but I got some bad news last month (my mom has a malignant tumor in her stomach) and it really has messed up my ability to concentrate, etc. Needless to say, my grades have suffered.

I just wanted to know, how do I calculate what I need to get in terms of a mark in order to pass the class? The midterm was 35% of our mark and I got 62% for that..

The essay is worth 30% but to be honest I have tried to start it and cannot bring my mind to focus on it.. I don't know if I will even bother handing it in.

There is 10% participation grade based on online discussions and 30% final..

Do you guys think I could possibly pass if I don't do the paper?

Thanks

Comments

  • vonnie
    edited July 2009
    Your %'s don't add up.
    35+30+30+10 = 105%

    ETA: Your MT is worth more than your final?
  • rb80
    edited July 2009
    Sorry my mistake.. the midterm was 25%
  • vonnie
    edited July 2009
    ^That still doesn't add up... 95%
  • rb80
    edited July 2009
    Wow... I am totally lost.. let me try that again..

    mid 25
    paper 30
    participation 10
    final 35
  • rb80
    edited July 2009
    I think Im just going to do as much as I can for the paper (which will be shoddy at best) and hope for at least some marks..
  • wh0whatwhere
    edited July 2009
    Most likely you still can.

    .62 x 25 = 15.5

    0 x 30 = 0

    lets assume you get the full 10 = 10

    69-70% on the final would give you / 35 = 24-24.5

    15.5 + 10 + 24 (minimum) = 49.5 --> 50% = pass

    Now that's based on the assumption that you got perfect participation.

    It's do-able, but basically depending on the final, requiring that you get 70%+ to pass is quite a bit of pressure.

    I'd try even halfassing the paper to get at least say 10-12/30, that way you can pretty much get like 50% on the final and still pass.
  • collegestudent
    edited July 2009
    from the midterm so far your grade is 62*0.25=15.5, so if you don't do the essay and if you assume you get 100% in participation, you'd be walking into the final with 25.5%.

    so to get 50% as a final grade, you'd need 70% on the final exam.

    what is the penalty for handing in the paper late? it might be worth it if you figure you can score a higher mark even with the penalty opposed to handing in a shitty essay on time.
  • BSang
    edited July 2009
    You could try to Withdraw under extenuating circumstances. See this:
    http://students.sfu.ca/advising/academic/withdrawal_extenuating/index.html
  • collegestudent
    edited July 2009
    ^or you could explain your situation to the prof and he/she will in all likelihood extend the essay deadline.
  • rb80
    edited July 2009
    Hey everyone,

    Thanks for all the responses. I didn't want to go to the prof/TM because I don't want to be written off as a lazy student who is using an excuse to not do their work on time.. I've heard that the "sick family member/ death of a grandparent" excuse is used a lot.

    I just decided to write a sub par paper and hand it in tomorrow.. I figure I'll try my absolute best to make up the marks in the remaining sections, if not.. I guess I can always take something else next semester :(
  • wh0whatwhere
    edited July 2009
    rb80;57436 said:
    Hey everyone,

    Thanks for all the responses. I didn't want to go to the prof/TM because I don't want to be written off as a lazy student who is using an excuse to not do their work on time.. I've heard that the "sick family member/ death of a grandparent" excuse is used a lot.

    I just decided to write a sub par paper and hand it in tomorrow.. I figure I'll try my absolute best to make up the marks in the remaining sections, if not.. I guess I can always take something else next semester :(
    Even a sub-par paper that gets you a passing grade (like 15/30) will raise your chances of passing exponentially. 15.5 + 8-10 + 15 = 38-40/65%

    Getting 10-12/35% on the final should be easy enough as long as you show up.

    GL!
  • rb80
    edited August 2009
    Hey you guys, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the help, advice and being so supportive. I was and still am going through hell with this situation and the fact that you guys don't know me from a hole in the wall but were willing to give me advice saved me from failing this class.

    I decided to just email the TM and let her know my circumstances and I was very adamant about the fact that I was not asking for an extension, but rather, was giving her the heads up on why my paper would be crap.

    She gave me a week extra without my asking and I was able to get the paper in and I didn't do amazing but I passed and considering everything, that is great since I could have not handed it in and just failed it.

    So thanks again, you guys rock!
  • Makall
    edited August 2009
    Not handing it in would be a very stupid thing to do IMO (I know this is already over).

    Even if you can't concentrate, as long as you hand in SOMETHING, just by BSing, you'll at least get some marks. BTW, the thing with essay writing, it's not a science so there's no concrete answers, you BS your way through. As long as you have a thesis, a few arguments and a conclusion, you will get a C at the minimum.

Leave a Comment