Shmoop Grading Policy-Summary

[Mamalady]

Hiya,

For anyone considering or taking a Shmoop course, I wanted to post a short list of grading percentages. Even though it's on the "What You'll Need" section in each course, I thought it might be helpful. (sorry for giant font, I copied from the site)

Grading Policy
In order to pass the course, you will need to receive a 70% or higher final grade. Your final grade will include the following:

• Unit Tests. You'll see these at the end of each unit, except for the final unit.
  
  • Navigate to the unit tests via the Syllabus feature to the left of the content area.
    
• Final. You'll see this at the end of the course.
  • Navigate to the final via the Syllabus feature to the left of the content area; it will be the last item in the final unit.
    

Each question is valued at 3 points each. Thus, unit tests are worth 60 points each, and the final is worth 150 points. The grade breakdown is as follows:

Each unit test = 6.5% of your grade (total of 83.9% of your grade for all unit tests combined)
Final = 16.1% of your grade

Please note: quizzes, which appear as activities, are optional and will not be counted as part of your grade. They are intended as comprehension checks to be sure you feel comfortable with the material at a base level.
Retake Policy
You will be able to retake each unit test and the final one (1) time, for a total of two (2) attempts on each test/final. After your second attempt, you will not be able to retake the test again, and the score of the second attempt will be counted toward your final grade.

[cookderosa]

Hiya,

For anyone considering or taking a Shmoop course, I wanted to post a short list of grading percentages. Even though it's on the "What You'll Need" section in each course, I thought it might be helpful. (sorry for giant font, I copied from the site)

Grading Policy
In order to pass the course, you will need to receive a 70% or higher final grade. Your final grade will include the following:

• Unit Tests. You'll see these at the end of each unit, except for the final unit.
  
  • Navigate to the unit tests via the Syllabus feature to the left of the content area.
    
• Final. You'll see this at the end of the course.
  • Navigate to the final via the Syllabus feature to the left of the content area; it will be the last item in the final unit.
    

Each question is valued at 3 points each. Thus, unit tests are worth 60 points each, and the final is worth 150 points. The grade breakdown is as follows:

Each unit test = 6.5% of your grade (total of 83.9% of your grade for all unit tests combined)
Final = 16.1% of your grade

Please note: quizzes, which appear as activities, are optional and will not be counted as part of your grade. They are intended as comprehension checks to be sure you feel comfortable with the material at a base level.
Retake Policy
You will be able to retake each unit test and the final one (1) time, for a total of two (2) attempts on each test/final. After your second attempt, you will not be able to retake the test again, and the score of the second attempt will be counted toward your final grade.

So is this like SL in that you don't have to pass the final, only the course? Or is it like Study in that you need to also pass the final?

[originalamyj]

See, this is what I'm trying to figure out. I have taken 2 other Shmoop courses, and took the final. Now all of a sudden as I completed the final unit for Women's Lit it's saying it's complete before the final. I guess I should email them but I was kind of hoping to get out of taking the final if possible. Just ready to move on to the next course. I attached my scores if anyone is interested in crunching the numbers.

[jsh1138]

you prob have to at least take the final, even if you don't "need" it

i mean its only 50 questions, you can do it in 10 min

[Old Guy]

Something interesting. For ACE credit you need only a 70% average regardless of the final exam. For a course certificate you need 70% in the final regardless of unit exams.

[jsh1138]

I got my course cert today on Holocaust Lit before I took the final

[originalamyj]

I got my course cert today on Holocaust Lit before I took the final

I went ahead and added it to ACE before taking the final. I'll report back.

[originalamyj]

Here’s our answer:

“We received your request to approve your Women's Literature course on Shmoop for ACE CREDIT.

According to our records, it looks like you haven't actually completed the course. In order to complete the course, you need to finish all unit exams, the final exam, and end with an overall score of 70% or higher. Right now, it looks like you're at 88% progress; you'll need to be at 100% progress to receive credit. (It looks like just the Final Exam needs to be completed still.)

Please let us know if you have any questions! Otherwise, we'll look forward to getting another request once you've completed the course.

Thanks,
Team Shmoop”

[jsd]

Welp, now we know!