Are you a brilliant student, but still don’t know how to get good grades in college? Working hard on your academic paper and not earning a high grade can be frustrating. Sometimes you might feel that the grading wasn’t fair and doesn’t reflect your capabilities. Many learners often think of approaching their tutors to request a “grade my essay” review. But how do you ask your teacher to change your grade politely without sounding offensive?
As a student, you must thoroughly analyze your course syllabus, the assignment specifications, and your tutor’s comments before requesting a grade review. It will give you a clear perspective of whether you deserve a higher grade. So, you can contact your tutor for an appointment, gather your evidence and get ready to support your request for a grade change.
Read on and gain insightful tips on how to get good grades from your tutor.
Step-By-Step Guide for a Grade Review Request
When it comes to grade reviews, there is a standard procedure you need to follow before approaching your professor. The first thing you must do is consider the grade to make sense of it. Did you deserve this exact grade? Here are steps to help you make an unbiased assessment:
Comprehend the Grading System
Each academic level has its grading process – middle school, high school, and college have different grading systems. Besides, the teacher and the subject can also influence your grades. So, you need to understand your tutor’s criteria to grade academic papers. You need to ask yourself what is a passing grade and clarify whether the passing grades are similar for all courses or subjects.
Let us take a look at the passing grades in different academic levels:
What is a passing grade in middle school?
- Grade A: 100-90, B: 89-80, and C: 79-70 is the lowest passing grade.
What is the passing grade in high school?
- Grade A: Excellent, 90-100, B: 80-89, C: 70-79.
- Grade D Average: 65-69 is the lowest passing grade.
What is a passing grade in college?
- Grade D+: 70-72, GPA- 1.7 is the lowest passing grade.
Review Course Syllabus and Instructions
Cross-checking your course syllabus before you ask your tutor to change your grade is imperative. You will understand the course specifications and what is considered a passing grade. For example, the syllabus might have policies on late paper submissions and directives on approaching certain questions.
Check Assignment Instructions
Another step you must consider is checking the assignment instructions. Did you fulfill all the requirements? If you are sure you met all the rubric criteria, you can be confident when approaching your teacher.
Read the Teacher’s Comments
It is essential to read your teacher’s comments about your grade. Usually, the comments reveal why you scored a particular grade. Contact your teacher for more clarification if you are unsure about the comments.
Therefore, ensure you check your grade’s accuracy before proceeding to the next step. Teachers are human, and sometimes they can make errors. Your poor grade could be because your professor was tired or didn’t understand your line of argument. So, brace yourself to approach your tutor with the right attitude.
How to Write an Email to a Professor About Grades
Don’t stress about what to do if your professor grades you unfairly. If you are sure your score is not your deserved grade, you need to approach your teacher. So, you first need to figure out if you will schedule a face-to-face meeting or email your teacher. It is advisable to set up an appointment through email to discuss more on your grade review.
Here are aspects you need to include in your email when writing a letter to a professor about grades.
Use a Formal / Academic Email Address
When sending an email, ensure you use an academic email address to set the right tone for your professor. Most colleges or universities assign students with a school email address. Don’t use personal addresses because your tutor might not take your request seriously, or the message might go to the spam folder.
Include Class in Subject Line
Apart from the title summary describing your issue, you should include your class in the subject line. It will help your professor identify the person sending the email and the class. You can also add the course or section number. For example, ENG 102-1058: Concern About My Grade.
Begin with a Formal Greeting
How you address your tutor is crucial when writing an email. You can use “Dear Professor,” “Good Morning Dr. Smith” or Hello Professor Tom. A good introduction will set the pace for your entire email. Adding a polite greeting like “How are you?” is a plus because it shows some respect and concern.
State Purpose of Email
Start by briefly introducing yourself and why you are writing the email. You can also state the specific time and day the professor teaches your class.
State the grade you scored and your request for a review. Let your intention be clear, and explain why you deserve a better grade. You can also add the grade you had hoped to get. Generally, your email should have formal language without unnecessary jargon. If you had any challenges before sitting for the exam, you could share them with your professor. It could be a health issue or emergency that affected your study sessions.
Furthermore, present concrete evidence to support your claims and why you deserve a higher grade. Without evidence, your tutor might dismiss your request to review your grade.
Be Respectful and Polite
As much as you request your tutor to change your grade, being polite and respectful in your email is key. Don’t demand favors or insist that it was the professor’s mistake. Throw in a few compliments and appreciate their efforts in imparting knowledge.
Suggest a Face-to-Face Meeting
As you conclude, you can suggest a face-to-face meeting to discuss the issue further. When you get an opportunity to meet your tutor, it will be easy to explain your grievances and desires.
Sign Off Your Email Politely
Finally, sign off your email with a polite and formal signature. For example, “Thank you,” “Sincerely,” or “Warm regards.” Sign off with your full name, and you will increase your chances of getting a positive response.
Wait for the Response
What if your teacher fails to respond? Don’t stress yourself; remember that each tutor approaches issues differently. Maybe your tutor checks emails in batches and will respond after a few days. If your grade concerns are extremely urgent, you can try to speak to your professor in person. But if your teacher checks email frequently, you can be sure of getting a response.
Otherwise, you can send another email to follow up on the first one to show that the issue is significant for you.
Sample Email to Professor about Grades
- Professor’s Email: [email protected]
- Subject: ENG 102-1058: Request to Review My Grade
Dear Professor Smith,
I hope you are keeping well. I am writing this email to kindly request that you review my grade on the paper mentioned in the subject above. Currently, my score in the previous assignment was 70%, and I hoped to score 80%. My grade dropped after the last exam.
A tragic accident happened to a close family member, affecting my study schedule immensely. Initially, I was an A student in your class, with at least 90% in almost all assignments and exams. I have always been a dedicated student who delivers each assignment on time and as per the instructions.
I humbly request that you consider reviewing my grade, or alternatively, I can retake the exam.
I deeply appreciate your teaching practices and how you create time for students who struggle to catch up. I take my classes seriously and strive to gain more knowledge from you. Can I schedule an appointment to discuss my grade review in person during the week?
Sincerely,
Harry Kelly
What Happens if the Professor Doesn’t Submit Grades
Not all students who request a grade review get a positive response. Many tutors require supporting evidence to show why you feel your paper was wrongly graded. So, what do you do when your tutor doesn’t submit the grade you requested? You can adopt a few strategies that might boost your scores. Here are a few solutions you can choose to follow:
- Ask your teacher for additional assignments or request to re-sit the exam or assignment.
- Appeal to the student affairs body in the college or university and present a strong case.
- Let it go, especially if your teacher didn’t make a mistake when grading your paper. Give yourself the promise to prepare better next time.
How to Get Good Grades in School
Whether you want to learn how to get good grades in online school or how to get good grades in middle school, you need a simple and effective approach to help you ace your exams. Here are a few insightful tips to help you out:
- Do your assignments on time
- Participate fully in class and ask questions
- Create a study schedule
- Motivate yourself
- Manage your time wisely
- Avoid distractions when studying
- Form study groups
- Ask for help from your tutor
Conclusion
When asking your teacher to review your grade, ensure you use the right approach to avoid being rude and insensitive. Write a formal, polite email requesting your professor to change your grade and include sufficient evidence. Follow the above tips, and you will get the grades you deserve.
