Albert- What were the "dispersal" numbers like? I.e., was the standard deviation about normal or was it larger. I'd want to know at least that. I tend to do an item analysis on any test but especially those that trouble me. Perhaps you just have a few "bad items"? Anyway, I'd tend to depend more on what I told them in the syllabus and whether this was an abnormal distribution when worrying about that. (But sometimes the give them what they deserve answers do come from those with more secure jobs). I don't think there is any simple answer to the to curve or not question. But an item analysis and comparison to other courses/semesters should at least give you a sense of what's going on. You do sometimes get a bad (grades anyway) class!
Tim Shearon From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 3:30 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] Question about Exam Scores Dear Colleagues: I teach at the community college, and this semester my teaching load is four courses. Today, I administered the second exam in all of my courses and just scored each of them. The average for each class is as follows Class 1- N=27 70% average raw score Class 2- N=31 66% average raw score Class 3- N=29 67% average raw score Class 4- N=30 67% average raw score The exam consisted of 50 multiple choice items and scored on a 100% scale. My colleagues at my campus are divided, some say that they deserve the score they get, others will curve the exam scores. In fact several of my students asked if I would curve even before I handed out the answer forms and exam booklets. Each semester I do have a handful of students who do not test very well, however this semester I seem to have more of those that do not test well or are not studying adequately for my exam. In each class three students scored 90% or higher My question is as follows At what point does one scale or curve the results and are there any specific methods of doing so? Thanks Albert Bramante Department of Psychology/Sociology Union County College [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________ See what's new at AOL.com <http://www.aol.com?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001170> and Make AOL Your Homepage <http://www.aol.com/mksplash.adp?NCID=AOLCMP00300000001169> . --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) ---
