Why Do Some Students Think an A Minus Is a Bad Grade?
Some students think an A minus is a bad grade, while others are pleased as punch with such a grade. Just why a near perfect grade could disturb certain students has a number of potential answers. Some have to do with the way that grade point averages (GPAs) are calculated, which can in turn be tied to ability to gain scholarships in competitive fields, and others view the “A-” as a near miss on an otherwise perfect performance. There can also be a certain amount of subjectivity in an A minus, which, when unexplained by an instructor, may cause personal annoyance or downright angst. This is not always the case; in classes based on point or percentage only systems, you either do or do not earn a full A grade based on things like objective testing. The way GPAs are calculated can seem unfair. Schools may deduct points from grade point averages for an A-, but not give additional points for A plus grades. In a system where a top score is rated as a 4.0, the top grade is an A. In some school
