Grade curving: another argument in support of CLEPs

[freddy]

Today I was sitting in a managerial accounting class. Before class started I heard some students talking about their business calculus class, which is a pre-requisite for entrance into the university's business college.

They were talking about a recent test and how the highest score was a 70% which due to the curve applied became an "A". The girl mentioned she scored a 30% but due to the curve got a "C".

This is just a reminder to me that A's and C's aren't always what they seem when it comes to college courses. In these cases it becomes less about what you know and more about how you scored in relation to your other class mates. This makes me even prouder of my CLEP scores even if some of them are just barely passing.

[Bibby]

I would agree with that conclusion - especially since most CLEP exams are probably more difficult than they were a decade ago, in contrast to the rampant grade inflation in so many of today's colleges.

[Publius]

Funny to think about, but the girl that got the C for the 30%, that means that a whole bunch of students scored UNDER that. Yeah, but we're the ones going to a diploma mill.

CLEP grades are also actually calculated based on curving and how previous test takers did compared to yourself, BUT, as freddy mentioned, with a class, "it becomes less about what you know and more about how you scored in relation to your other class mates". Not to mention, they're graded on a lot more then just the info.

[clep3705]

especially since most CLEP exams are probably more difficult than they were a decade ago

What evidence do you have for this or is this just speculation on your part?

[Bibby]

clep3705: I base this hypothesis primarily upon the sample tests in the 2003 CLEP Official Study Guide, where several exams (especially College Algebra) covered considerably harder material when I actually took the tests last year.

[ryoder]

CLEPs rock. I have a friend taking community college classes right now. She is in macro. I tried to talk her into CLEPing. I should ask her to take a practice CLEP test at the conclusion of her course to see how she does. Of course she will probably think that is mean or crazy so maybe I won't but it would be interesting to see.

[NAP]

CLEPs rock. I have a friend taking community college classes right now. She is in macro. I tried to talk her into CLEPing. I should ask her to take a practice CLEP test at the conclusion of her course to see how she does. Of course she will probably think that is mean or crazy so maybe I won't but it would be interesting to see.

Let us know what happens!

This reminded me of one of my favorite posts (see second to last paragraph):

http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...#post57273

I realize that courses can have a different focus than CLEP, but I still thought it was an interesting outcome.

[clep3705]

clep3705: I base this hypothesis primarily upon the sample tests in the 2003 CLEP Official Study Guide, where several exams (especially College Algebra) covered considerably harder material when I actually took the tests last year.

It's not valid to assess the difficulty of a CLEP test by comparing it to a practice test. Practice tests are in general harder than an actual test. As someone who has been paid to develop standardized tests, I know that much effort is spent to ensure consistency across time.

[Prloko]

It's not valid to assess the difficulty of a CLEP test by comparing it to a practice test. Practice tests are in general harder than an actual test. As someone who has been paid to develop standardized tests, I know that much effort is spent to ensure consistency across time.

He/She stated in their original quote that CLEP tests are "probably" more difficult. I would think that means she/he's giving an educated guess rather than stating a fact that would need qualification and sources.

If you make a factual claim, it should be backed up with facts, but I don't feel that's what we had here.

Besides, this isn't a peer reviewed journal. No need to get on their case.

[Prloko]

Today I was sitting in a managerial accounting class. Before class started I heard some students talking about their business calculus class, which is a pre-requisite for entrance into the university's business college.

They were talking about a recent test and how the highest score was a 70% which due to the curve applied became an "A". The girl mentioned she scored a 30% but due to the curve got a "C".

This is just a reminder to me that A's and C's aren't always what they seem when it comes to college courses. In these cases it becomes less about what you know and more about how you scored in relation to your other class mates. This makes me even prouder of my CLEP scores even if some of them are just barely passing.

I don't try to read into CLEPs as much as I used to. I take them for what they are, accelerated credit based on knowledge equal to a C student. Passing a CLEP makes me no more knowledgeable than a C student and honestly is equivalent in effort to what a C student accomplishes. Even if I did score high.