Plus/Minus Grading System - FAQ
Beginning with the Fall 2005 semester, a new grading system will go into effect. Below are some frequently asked questions about the new system. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact your College of Business advisor at 330-672-2872.
What is the Plus/Minus system?
The Plus/Minus system is a new grading system at Kent State University. It will provide faculty with the ability to more accurately and fairly represent student performance. For example, a student who earns an 89, under the new system, will receive a B+ (3.30) and a student who earns an 80 will receive a B- (2.70). The current system only allows the professor to assign a grade of B (3.00) for both, when clearly one performed much better than the other.
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What is the new grading scale?
The grading scale is as follows:
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When will the system go into effect?
It will go into effect in Fall semester 2005 for all students.
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| A |
4.0 |
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C |
2.0 |
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| A- |
3.7 |
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C- |
1.7 |
Who will be affected by the new grading scale?
All incoming and all current students.
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| B+ |
3.3 |
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D+ |
1.3 |
| B |
3.0 |
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D |
1.0 |
| B- |
2.7 |
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F |
0.0 |
| C+ |
2.3 |
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Will my past grades be changed?
Grades earned as of Fall 2005 under the Plus/Minus system will be averaged in with past grades that were earned under the previous grading system. Grades earned previously to Fall 2005 will not be converted to the Plus/Minus grading system.
Why is the new system being implemented?
The system is being implemented because Kent State University is among the minority of schools in Ohio that do not use a Plus/Minus system. The University will now be able to provide faculty with a more accurate portrayal of a student’s grades through the new system as indicated in the example provided in Question 1.
Why isn’t there an A+ or a D-?
Among the universities that use a Plus/Minus grading scale, the majority do not have an A+ or D-. Kent State will keep with the standard system so that students are able to have comparable grades with students from other universities.
Does this change my GPA requirements?
If there is a requirement for a minimum B grade (i.e., 3.00), a B- will not be acceptable since B- computes to a 2.70. As another example, a 2.00 cumulative GPA is required for good standing at KSU. A student who earns all C- grades will not be in good standing because a C- computes to a 1.70.
How will the system go into effect?
Beginning in the Fall semester of 2005, the faculty will have a choice whether or not to implement the Plus/Minus scale in their classroom. Some may choose to use a straight A, B, C, D, F and not use Plus/Minus grading. A basic principle of academic freedom is that the individual instructor is responsible for the assignment of grades. This also means that faculty have the prerogative to set the percentage scale for the Plus/Minus system according to their own preference (as is currently the case). There will not be a standard scale.
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