Grade Scale

A 100-94 B 86-83 C 74-70

A- 93-90 B- 82-80 D 69-60

B+ 89-87 C+ 79-75 F 59-0

John Cabot University Marking Criteria

Grade: A

Work of this quality is rare and should stand out.  It may be the case that in some areas of study a modest number of students achieve this mark on some assignments.  However, when aggregating the marks awarded for the various elements of assessment, it is not expected that many students will achieve this overall result.  Work that receives a grade of A is characterized by the following:

• Directly addresses the question or problem raised
• Provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information
• Critically evaluates concepts and theory
• Relates theory to practice
• Reflects the student's own argument and is not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material
• Is very accurate; has an element of novelty if not originality
• Provides evidence of reading beyond the required reading
• Displays an awareness of methodological concerns and displays an awareness of the limitations of current knowledge

Grade: B

This is a highly competent level of performance.  Students earning this grade may be deemed capable of pursuing more advanced study.  Work that receives a grade of B is characterized by the following:

• Directly addresses the question or problem raised
• Provides a coherent argument drawing on relevant information
• Shows some ability to evaluate concepts and theory and to relate theory to practice
• Reflects the student's own argument and is not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material
• Does not suffer from any major errors or omissions
• Provides evidence of reading beyond the required reading
• Displays an awareness of other approaches to the problem area

Grade: C

This is an acceptable level of performance.  All competent students should be expected to achieve at least this level.  Work that receives a grade of C is characterized by the following:

• Addresses the question but provides only a basic outline of relevant arguments and evidence along the lines of that offered in the lectures and referenced readings
• Answers are clear but limited
• Some minor omissions and inaccuracies but no major errors

Grade: C-

This level of performance demonstrates some knowledge and an element of understanding but is, on the whole, weak.  Students attaining this level of performance should compose a small minority of those in a course and should not ecpect to progress to more advanced degree work. Work that receives a grade of C- is characterized by the following:

• Points made in the answer are not always well supported by argument and evidence
• Relevant points have been omitted from the answer
• There are some errors in the answer
• Parts of the question remain unanswered
• Answers may be unduly brief and possibly in note form

Grade: D

These grades indicate that the students in question have barely done enough to persuade the instructor that they should not be failed.  Work that receives a grade of D is characterized by the following:

• Answers lack a coherent grasp of the problems and issues raised in the question
• Important information has been omitted from the answers and irrelevant points have been included
• Answers are far too brief

Grade: F

Failing grades should be granted to work that indicates to the instructor that the students who submitted it have not benefitted in any clear way from academic study.  Failing work:

• Fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question
• Reveals fundamental misunderstanding of the subject matter
• Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant

Timely Submission of Work

Late work will not be accepted for any reason.  Assigments submitted after the due date/class meeting automatically earn a grade of 0.