If I get a 96% in one of my courses does this mean I get a 12 for that course? This makes no sense to me because it's almost like they're penalizing you. If this really is the case, I should just slack off and get a 90 cause that's also a 12.

do u want a 12+ ?

I believe McMaster will keep the actual percentage grade you achieved on record, and for some grad programs that might be looked at.

no, just don't want to be penalized. since they keep the real course average on file, that is good!
thank you

yea sure go ahead and slack off ^^ im sure your soo smart you'll get exactly 90 pct on the dot. but be warned if you drop 1 pct you go down from 12 to a 11 so you really wanna gamble it away ^^

Originally Posted by turbozee

If I get a 96% in one of my courses does this mean I get a 12 for that course? This makes no sense to me because it's almost like they're penalizing you. If this really is the case, I should just slack off and get a 90 cause that also a 12.

Well, if you really do happen to get a 96, then yes, I guess they are penalizing you.

The other 899 students in first-year Eng aren't complaining though.

Since you'll probably never take the effort to look at your exam anyway, you won't even know your final mark, so I wouldn't really risk any form of slacking or you might find yourself unpleasantly surprised.

that is true

if you're capable of a 96 why would you want to get less anyway.. you already wouldve worked hard for the 90..

It works both ways. If you get a 51, you end up with a 1 out of 12 (Happens to be a 0.7 on the 4 scale). So its beneficial to slack off in courses where your getting a 96, and work harder in courses where your doing extremely bad.

Why not work as hard as you can and I dunno maybe worry about learning something rather than whether or not you're being penalized in the grading system?!

Originally Posted by Marlowe

I believe McMaster will keep the actual percentage grade you achieved on record, and for some grad programs that might be looked at.

Not true, all they save are 'letter grades' as this is what is used for most GPA conversions. e.g. A-, A and A+ all become a 4 on the 4.0 scale. A 9 becomes a 3.7, or something similar. (It is not a linear conversion however...Someone on the Mac website there's a conversion chart, if anyone has that handy).


The 4 point GPA scale penalizes _spread_ and rewards _consistency_.

Suppose you have two students, one consistently scores 7's and 9's in their courses (and suppose these averaged to an 8 average) while the oher student consistently receives 8's. Both have an 8 average on the 12pt scale, but the 'varying' student will have a lower GPA on the 4pt scale.

They're not 'penalizing' you for anything, they're simply measuring you in different ways.


To the OP: Some would think of it as a way bit of leeway. This way you can make some 'silly mistakes' and still get a 12. If you know exactly how much you can slack off, get a 90 and still get a 12, then good luck to you. Otherwise, enjoy your 11.

Originally Posted by Mowicz

...if anyone has that handy

HUZZAH! I have it bookmarked.

http://careers.mcmaster.ca/students/...nversion-chart

I'd really love to have a 96....

Originally Posted by Entropy

Well, if you really do happen to get a 96, then yes, I guess they are penalizing you.

The other 899 students in first-year Eng aren't complaining though.

Since you'll probably never take the effort to look at your exam anyway, you won't even know your final mark, so I wouldn't really risk any form of slacking or you might find yourself unpleasantly surprised.

That first semester math final?

Originally Posted by aaront

I'd really love to have a 96....

Welcome to nearly every Soc Sci and Humanities students dream. For us to get 12s in our classes is pretty damn impossible.