How to Question Your Grade

Note: This post is courtesy of Frank Sorokach, assistant teaching professor in business and economics at Penn State, who has also written posts on this and other topics for the Penn State World Campus Business Club blog.

While pursuing your degree, you may encounter situations when you would like to ask questions about the grades you receive. The best place to start is by having a conversation with your instructor. Grading decisions belong entirely to the faculty who teach the classes.

Tips for Talking to Your Instructor

Be polite. Good manners go a long way and can greatly influence the type of reception your concern receives.

Write clearly and try to include the details your professor needs to understand your situation. As an instructor working primarily with adult learners, they will be aware of the realities faced by Penn State World Campus students. If you are taking courses under special circumstances, make sure to reach out to your instructor early so that they are aware of what is going on and can work with you from the start.

Ask straightforward questions. You would be surprised how often an instructor does not realize a student is seeking clarification or waiting for a response.

If you are struggling, ask for help. Your instructor may not inherently know (or be able to interpret from email) that you could use assistance. They may be able to suggest supplemental readings, recommend study guides, or refer you to tutoring services.

If you have questions or concerns about your class, ask them as early as possible. Don’t wait until the end of the semester to ask! Once assignment grades are posted, faculty are unlikely to make grade changes.

Important Things to Keep in Mind About Grades

• Excessive amounts of schoolwork or work at your job are not reasons for faculty to change grades, assessments, or learning objectives.
• Faculty must measure all students’ assessments consistently.
• Noting that other faculty are providing you with extra time to complete assignments is not an appropriate way to start a conversation about grades.
• Expressing your concerns directly with your instructor is highly encouraged and is the best way to resolve grade disputes informally.

Grade Mediation and Adjudication

If you have attempted to communicate with your professor and still have a disagreement about the final grade or feel that an error has been made in determining your final grade, you can utilize a process called Grade Mediation and Adjudication. This is the University’s formal process by which students can question or challenge their final grade.

From the University’s policy, here are examples of when the policy should be used:

• the instructor did not inform the student of the basis for calculation of grades
• the instructor did not calculate the student’s grade in accordance with the instructor’s stated policy for calculating grades
• there is an error in the computation of the grade that was not corrected
• the student, through no fault of their own, was not provided with the same opportunity to complete the requirements for the course in terms of time, access to lab materials, or access to the instructor similar to other students

Remember that the first step in Grade Adjudication is a conversation with your instructor. If one of the above scenarios characterizes your grade dispute, you can review the formal policy for the grade adjudication process.