What would the initial average have to be before they curve down, not up.

70%+?

They don't curve marks. They bump marks up by decreasing the denominator. They don't bump down either, but simply make the future marks more difficult to attain, if they wish to do so.

Originally Posted by CAHopeful

What would the initial average have to be before they curve down, not up.

70%+?

Nah. I know for my Bio 1A03 the first midterm was really easy, so the class average at the time was like 85% or so. The next test was meant to be a lot harder to fix that.

Most first year courses have 65-75% averages. I'd guess 80 is a good benchmark to watch out for the next test.

Never heard of curving down. If the class average is too high after a midterm, the prof just makes the 2nd midterm/final harder to even it out.

If marks are adjusted, it'll only ever be in your favor*. But like other posters have said, if the average is too high the second midterm or final gets made harder. The opposite is true too, though. In my Physics 1E03 class because the average was so low on the first midterm the second one was much easier.

*I had a friend who had his mark bumped down in a class, because the scantron read a certain answer on his version of the test as correct when it wasn't. The TA's found that out and some peoples' marks were adjusted accordingly.