14.02  Principles of Macroeconomics

Grading rules transparency and Class outsomes

Dear All,
I have received many emails, some a bit upset, about grade cutoffs and transparency. Mostly it seems that quite a few of you are surprised for having done very well in the course and around average in exams but not gotten an A.
Some clarifications:

1) The distributions are highly non normal. That is why I am very wary of publishing simple mean and SD as students form expectations about their performance that are non realistic. For example in exam 3 the median (82) was way higher than the average (74) and the distribution was skewed to the right. So even if you got the average grade (say 73), you were still below the median by a substantial amount.
2) We have tried to be generous: we gave 40% As, 40% Bs, 18% Cs and only 2% Ds.
3) Most people did the problem sets right so their weight naturally becomes less relative to the exam.
4) The total cutoffs for A (87), B(75), and C(60) were chosen as to be natural cutoff points in the distribution.

We would love to receive feedback in ways we can improve the course and the grading. We know that you all put a lot of work in this class and we totally understand that it can be disappointing not to get an A or the hoped for grade. I hope you also understand our position and that it would not be fair nor possible to give all As even when we recognize the amount of hard work you put in the course.
I am available for any other clarification via email,
Best,
Giovanni

Announced on 27 May 2015  12:35  p.m. by Giovanni Reggiani

Exam Pickup

Announced on 25 May 2015  2:44  p.m. by Kyungmin Kim

Grade cutoffs and Average sd

Dear All,
I have received quite a few emails about grade cutoffs. We have not decided the grade cutoffs yet. I will post an announcement when the final grades are posted. Meanwhile the statistics for the final were:
avg: 74, sd: 24.
All the best,
Giovanni

Announced on 25 May 2015  11:49  a.m. by Giovanni Reggiani

Exam 3 grades available

Dear All,
The exam 3 grades have been posted. You can look them up in the usual grade book tab inside the Membership module in Stellar.
It has been a real pleasure working with all of you and we hope you enjoyed the course,
Giovanni

Announced on 25 May 2015  11:18  a.m. by Giovanni Reggiani

IMPORTANT: Location exam (Johnson Track) and Time (Wed 20th, 1:30pm)

Dear All,
This is a friendly reminder that the final exam of 14.02 will be held at the Johnson Track (W34) at 1.30pm tomorrow Wednesday 20th of May.
For your convenience you can find here link to the facility, a map of the location and some photos to help you through:
- http://web.mit.edu/registrar/classrooms/exams/finals/index.html
- http://web.mit.edu/campus-map/pdf/campusmap.pdf

The exam will last for a total of 2 hours and will have the same format as the practice exam.
Some important notes:
1) Make sure to be at Johnson Track ten minutes before. Follow the maps above if you are confused about the exact location.
2) If you have been allowed extra time for medical issues you should have received an email from me with your exact alternative location and time for exam. If not, please email me.
3) You are required to comply with the MIT honor code and an additional rule. These includes: 1) not discussing the exam with anyone during or after the exam until your grades are posted. 2) no cheating or collaboration during the exam.
4) Both of the above will be strictly enforced. And we will prosecute to the highest authority within MIT and for the toughest penalty any student infringing the honor code.
5) You are allowed to bring a calculator for this exam.
Good luck and best wishes from all of us,
Giovanni

Announced on 19 May 2015  2:47  p.m. by Giovanni Reggiani