As demonstrated in the above question, the overall final grade may increase by one whole letter grade (C to B) because this student has been permitted to take two attempts of each exam and the higher score counts (as opposed to the average of the two attempts).

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement presented concerns how final grades are determined when a student is allowed two attempts on each exam and the higher score from the two attempts counts toward the final grade.
First, consider what the policy implies: if a system uses the higher score of two attempts for each exam, then for any given exam, the student’s best performance is carried forward rather than the average. This can lead to an overall improvement in the course grade if the improved scores cross grade boundaries (for example, moving from a C to a B overall).
Next, examine the mechanics: the overall final grade may increase by one whole letter grade under some grading schemes because the higher of two scores provides a better assessment of mastery, potentially lifting the course average enough to cross a grade threshold. However, this is contingent on the specific grade calculation method used by the institution or course:
- If the final grade is computed as the average of all exam scores, even with two attempts, the final average could still shift upward but not necessarily by a full letter unless the improved scores significantly alter the mean.
- If the policy explicitly states that the higher score on each exam is used in calculating the final grade, then a single improved exam can translate into a higher overall letter grade, particularly if the grade boundaries are tight around the cutoff points.
- If there are caps, adjustments, or weighted components (for instance, some components fixed while exams allow retakes), the net effect on the final grade becomes more variable and may not guarantee a full-letter uplift.
Now, evaluating the claim against common scenarios:
- True under a best-of-two policy: when the higher score replaces the lower one for each exam in the final computation, the student’s overall grade can improve, potentially by a full letter if boundary thresholds are crossed.
- False under an average-with-retakes policy: if the system averages the two attempts (or if retakes only replace the lowest single score without affecting other components), the final grade may improve but not necessarily by a full letter, and in some cases may improve less than a whole step.
- False if the policy limits improvements (for example, retakes allowed but only one exam is counted, or the two attempts are not contributing to the final grade in the same way).
In sum, whether the final grade increases by exactly one letter depends entirely on the exact grading policy in place: whether the higher score per exam is used in the final calculation and how grade boundaries are defined. The statement is thus conditionally true under a highest-score-per-exam policy with appropriate grade boundary structure, but not universally true across all grading schemes.

EARTHSC 1121 SP2025 (19382) CalcFinalGrade

As demonstrated in the above question, the overall final grade may increase by one whole letter grade (C to B) because this student has been permitted to take two attempts of each exam and the higher score counts (as opposed to the average of the two attempts).

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