Interpretation of score display. This page (www.math.uiuc.edu/~hildebr/242/scores.html) explains, in some detail, how to interpret the score display and how the average grade shown is computed. Be sure to check here, and the Course Information Sheet for the grading policies, before asking questions about the display.
Current grade. The "average" shown at the end of the score display takes into account all grade components except the final exam. It is computed by averaging the quiz and midterm exam averages, with weights 25 percent for quizzes and 45 percent for the exams; in other words, it is given by the formula (0.25 q + 0.45 e)/0.70, where q is the average of the (curved) quiz scores (ignoring the dropped quiz score, so only the highest 8 of the 9 quiz scores count), and e is the average of the 3 (curved) midterm exam scores. This average is translated into a letter grade using the standard 100/90/80/70/60 percent scale (see below). It is your pre-final grade, which contributes 70 percent towards your course grade. The Final contributes the remaining 30 percent.
Drop score. The drop score rule (lowest quiz score dropped) has now been implemented in the grade computation, so only 8 of the 9 quiz scores are counted when computing the quiz average. The dropped score is indicated by a double asterisk (**). It should correspond to the lowest of the 9 quiz scores. If you missed one or more quiz without valid excuse, the drop score will likely be for one of missed quizzes, since missed quizzes count as 0 points.
Note that the drop score rule applies only to quiz scores, not to exam scores. All three midterms (and, of course, the final) count in full.
Letter grades: The curved scores correspond to letter grades with plusses and minuses as follows:
Partial credit may be given in case of significant progress towards a solution. For most problems, I have set specific guidelines on how to assign partial credit. For example, if a solution requires several steps, each of the steps was assigned a given number of points, and partial credit was assigned depending on how many steps you have reached. Common errors were graded uniformly. We try to be as fair as possible in grading the exams, but oversights and grading mistakes occasionally happen. If you feel that there was such a mistake, talk to your TA first. If it is a clear-cut case, he/she will take care of it; otherwise, they might refer you to me. (In the latter case, talk to me after class.)
The deadline for grading appeals for Exam 3 is Thursday, December 7. (Note that deadlines for appeals on the grading of earlier exams or quizzes have long since expired.)
In case of a discrepancy in the online score display (e.g., if a score is missing, or an excused grade is not indicated as such by an asterisk), let me know by December 7. (Note that to get an excused grade on an exam requires a letter from the Dean.)