By Zachary Surchin
Over this summer, the math department decided to have the quarter final cap at 93%; meaning if someone were to get higher than 93%, their test grade would automatically drop down to 93%. This new limitation has upset many students who believe they’re no longer being compensated for their end of quarter improvement.
Justifying this change was the math department’s belief that the quarterfinal causes a lot of stress for students. The department also believes there is no reason for these kids to be worried about these optional tests if their grade is already good enough.
Although the math department makes what appears to be a valid point, the stress of these tests is more limited than many teachers think. Most of the time, students don’t study for the quarterfinal due to the fact that it can’t hurt their grade. While this isn’t the case for everyone, it certainly is for the vast majority.
Many students have told me they aren’t thrilled with this new move either.
Junior Brandon Reich said “I think that it presents a problem as students that are looking to replace their lowest grade can only achieve a new grade of 93% on their lowest test, which is an A-, rather than a 100%, which would improve students’ GPAs.”
This argument makes sense since the fact that someone could need an A+ on their quarterly in order to get them to their goal grade, but that chance could be ruined due to them only getting 93%, which could indirectly result in a lower GPA for that student.
Junior Owen Peterssen added, “it kind of makes sense why they made the change, however it is annoying because what if I get a 100% on the test but it only results in a 93%, that would just lower my grade and be annoying.”
The quarterfinal should not cap at 93% because it limits the potential of what students’ grades and GPAs could possibly be. I urge teachers next year to reconsider this policy.
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