"Grade on curve" refers to a method of evaluating and assigning grades to students in a class based on their relative performance compared to their peers. This grading system takes into account the distribution of scores achieved by the entire class, aiming to display a normalized grading distribution.
In a standard grading system, the assigned grades are determined by absolute performance, where the highest score receives the best grade, and others are ranked accordingly. However, when grades are based on a curve, the distribution of scores determines the grades. This means that the highest score may not necessarily receive the best grade, as the overall performance of the class influences the grading scale.
Usually, grade on curve is applied when the majority of class scores fall within a localized range. In this case, the instructor often adjusts the grades upward or downward to create a more spread-out distribution with a predetermined shape. This ensures that a certain percentage of students receive each grade, regardless of their absolute scores.
The curve may be established by determining the percentile ranks for each student's score and assigning corresponding grades according to predefined percentages. For instance, the top 10% may receive an A, the next 20% a B, and so forth. Hence, a student's grade in this system is, to some extent, determined by how they perform relative to their classmates.
The grade on curve system aims to account for variations in assessments, questions difficulty, or student aptitudes across different class sections, maintaining fairness and consistency in grading across various groups of students.
