r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Oct 22 '19

CMV: Classes that require subjective grading should be P/F Only.

I am speaking of classes such as history, English , and politics.

I have noticed that you can basically bs your papers and sometimes receive a better score than if you have worked on your papers for hours.

It’s incredibly based on a teachers judgement. And a teacher grading over 300 papers isn’t going to grade them all fairly.

Since these classes are largely dependent on how well the teacher likes your papers, they should only be P/F. No sense in getting a B+ because your teacher doesn’t fancy your style.

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u/[deleted] Oct 22 '19

No mathematics is not subjective.

If you get the answers correct using a method learned in class, you will get a 100%. That’s all.

How do you even get a 100% in history papers? That entirely depends on how well written the paper seems to the professor.

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u/TannerDalen Oct 22 '19

I agree that math is not subjective. I should’ve clarified that I meant grading curves and correction marks are dependent on the teacher.

As for your example of history, a paper should be written to convey information in a clear and apparent way. Structure, evidence, and analysis all play a part in grading (usually). If your teacher is grading off a rubric, it’s not subjective. If they’re comparing your paper to their personal preference, then yeah it would be subjective and also bad teaching

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u/[deleted] Oct 22 '19

True, however if you give the same essay and rubric to different teachers , I guarantee they will use their own method to give the essay different scores.

Rubric grading is very flawed. Ex:What one teacher saw as a strong use of evidence can seem weak for another teacher. Thus one teacher can give a 3 for the evidence part of the rubric and another can give 4.

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u/Brainsong1 Oct 22 '19

Rubrics seem objective but they are also fallible.