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Explanation of the factors that determine whether a student gets good grades. Also refer to tests, homework, teacher relationships, study methods, motivation, personality, quiz, exam, assignments, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Factors in Determining Good Grades
by Ron Kurtus (revised 20 December 2008)
The idea of grading students is to show how well they are learning the subject matter material. Grading is usually a comparison with other students in the class or school, but there is a movement to make a National Standard that everyone should reach.
There are three major factors that determine what sort of grade you will get: test scores, homework, and teacher-student relationship. To get good grades, you must excel in all three areas.
Questions you may have include:
- What is needed to excel in tests?
- Why is homework important?
- Why should you have good teacher relationships?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Test scores
The greatest part of your grade is determined from the scores you get in quizzes and tests. If you know the material and are good at taking tests, this should be no problem. However, if you have trouble working under the pressure and time constraints of a test, you may not do well—even if you know the material.
If you want to get good grades in school, it is well worth your while to learn to be good in taking tests. You can often learn to do well in tests by practicing working under the pressure of taking a test. Of course, you must also have good study habits in being able to learn the material.
Homework
Many teachers grade your homework and make those scores part of your final grade. There are other teachers who just collect the homework and check it over without giving individual grades for the work done.
Important in learning
The reason to do homework is because it is the method used to learn 70% of the subject matter material. The other 30% of the subject matter is learned in class. The percentages vary according to the teacher and subject matter. However, you can see that if you don't pay attention in class, you must depend much more on your homework. If you don't do your homework, your chances of passing any tests or exams are lessened.
Some can fake it
There are students who are good at taking tests and have enough general knowledge that they can get away with not paying attention and not really studying, but yet they can pass the tests. Unfortunately, sooner or later the lack of learning catches up to them, such that they will have trouble figuring out how much to charge for a “Happy Meal” with an extra order of fries.
Do homework effectively
Since homework is a large factor in going to school, you want to learn to do it effectively. Furthermore, since homework can be so time-consuming, you need to know how to get it done in the shortest possible time.
Teacher-student relationships
Although teachers are supposed to grade purely on your test scores and homework grades, many teachers add their personal feelings to the grade.
A teacher who likes you or who is impressed by what you do will often give you extra consideration in grading you. On the other hand, if the teacher does not like you, feels you are disruptive or even disagrees with some views you may have, the teacher may lean the other way and give you a lower grade than is deserved.
Such grading is not fair. Similar unfairness happens to people in their jobs, concerning raises and promotions. That is why it is important to avoid rubbing your teacher the wrong way or getting on the wrong side of the teacher.
If you want decent grades from the teacher, it is worthwhile to be cordial and respectful, even if you don't like him or her.
Summary
If you want to get good grades in school, it is important to learn how to take tests. Homework can be time-consuming, but it is important in learning and being able to pass tests, so you need to learn to do your homework effectively. Teachers are human and may be prejudiced. Since they have the power to determine your grade, it is wise to treat them with respect.
Be proud of your achievements
Resources
The following are resources on this subject.
Websites
Books
Top-rated
books on Good Grades
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in School studies. If you had problems, look over the material again.
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Factors in Determining Good Grades