Grading Procedure for Multiple Choice Tests

Multiple choice tests will be grading by using a 2-step procedure.  The underlying grading philosophy is that you start with full credit for all test problems. This philosophy has "built-in" partial credit. The first step subtracts points for your errors.  The second step subtracts the partial credit points if you do not earn them.

These definitions are used in the tables below:

Minor Error You lost a minus sign, made a minor arithmetic mistake, or some other fairly trivial mistake.
Serious Error You used the wrong formula, pretty well botched setting up or solving the problem, or other similar major mistake
Disastrous Error I have no idea how you could get that answer
I determine the severity of each of the wrong answer choices as I write and solve the question for the test.

For 4- and 5-point questions, your mistakes are worth the following points:
(For 8- and 10-point questions, double the values)

Error Points
Minor -1
Serious -2
Disatrous -3


The work shown on your paper, or, more precisely, the LACK of work shown, determines how many partial credit points you will lose.  Only a very few problems will not require you to show some work.  When in doubt, SHOW SOME WORK!

No work shown -2
A small amount of work that indicates that you actually tried to solve a math problem -1


WARNING!    WARNING!     WARNING!

On 4-point problems, you could lose MORE than 4 points!
If you guess an answer that is a Disastrous Error and don't show any work, you lose 5 POINTS, not 4 points!

SHOW SOME WORK! SHOW SOME WORK! SHOW SOME WORK!