How to Convince Professors to Adjust Grades

It’s frustrating when you put so much effort into the test and don’t get the score you think you deserve. However, before you go to your professor to ask for a grade adjustment, you need to carefully review the course outline, the assignment instructions, and the professor’s comments. If you still feel you deserve a higher grade, you can make an appointment with your teacher to talk and prepare evidence to explain why you want your grade corrected.

Table of Contents

Understand the number of points you get

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Understand the scoring process. Depending on the subject, the university, the faculty, and the country in which you live, the grading system can vary widely from place to place. However, a good curriculum will have standards that both the school and the student must follow. Professors will assess the quality of your work based on certain criteria that are usually stated at the beginning of the course. This doesn’t mean you can’t complain, but that you have to make sure you’re up to the standard.

Unless it’s clear that your teacher made a mistake in grading or grading, it’s unlikely they’ll adjust your grade.
You also need to remember that points are earned, not given.
The number of points you get is not based on how hard you study, but on how well you grasp the knowledge and follow the instructions correctly. Unfortunately, you won’t be rewarded for your efforts. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Determine if this is worth your time and effort. In most cases, persuading professors to correct grades isn’t worth it. This process often eats up valuable time that you could spend focusing on your next assignment and other subjects. Before you go to the professor, you should think about whether it’s worth the hassle.

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Review the curriculum. It is important that you review the program in detail before going to the professor to discuss the score you have received. Read each word in it carefully, paying special attention to the instructions on the assignment and how to score it. ^{[2] X Research Source}

For example, if you’re late, you should check out your professor’s rules for late submission. This will explain why you got a certain score.
This also shows the professor that you have read the instructions carefully. You will be embarrassed if the answer to your question is clearly stated in the program!

Talk to your professor about your score

Check that the professor’s grading is correct, if possible. Education is often an imperfect art; Sometimes, professors make mistakes in the grading process. Sometimes the wrong answer was used, or the professor misunderstood your topic, or the teacher had to stay up until 4 a.m. to grade the paper, or because of some mistake. Data is required to justify a higher score, and this often means proving the professor made a mistake.

Check your answers with classmates, on the internet or from other sources.
If the comments on your work don’t make sense, the professor may have misread something. (Though it may be the problem with your writing, not the professor.)
If you don’t understand the corrections or mistakes, you should go to the professor for an explanation. Depending on the school, class or teacher, your score may not be corrected. However , if you approach your professor with courtesy, he or she will more than likely work with you to improve your score.

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Make an appointment to speak with the professor. Some countries have laws that do not allow professors to discuss grades by email. Instead of trying to communicate with the professor via email, ask to meet the teacher in person.

Try talking to the professor after class. You might say, “Sir, I have a question about test scores. Can I meet you sometime to talk?”
Note that many professors will ask you to wait at least 24 hours after getting your grades. This is to encourage students to review their work carefully instead of reacting harshly or being hostile after receiving a low score.
Even if you can email, meeting the professor in person is often best when it comes to these kinds of issues.

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Willing to file a complaint. If you decide to pursue this, most professors will ask you to file an appeal. You will have to state why your work deserves a higher score, and submit evidence that your work has met the professor’s requirements. It also helps to cite your professor’s comments about your work in your complaint. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Always be respectful and professional. You should always be polite to your professor even if you disagree with them. Aggressive and defiant attitudes are unacceptable and can get you into trouble. Always speak to your professor respectfully, in a professional manner, and absolutely non-threatening. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Your appeal will be more persuasive and more likely to succeed if you are respectful.

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Ask the professor to explain their observations. In many cases, you can clear misunderstandings about grades by having your professor explain in more detail the comments on your work. This is an opportunity for the professor to talk more about their comments and help you understand why you received that score. ^{[7] X Trusted Source University of North Carpina Writing Center Go to source}

Try saying, “Teacher, I don’t understand what you mean by your comment that my work is disorganized. Can you explain it to me?”
You can also ask your professor’s advice on how to improve the areas where you are judged to be below average.

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Emphasize that you want to improve. It is important that the teacher understands that you want to improve your performance in the course. As you talk, you can ask your professor for advice on how to do better in the future. Try saying, “I really want to improve my grades on this course. What should I do to make the next assignment better?” ^{[8] X Trusted Source University of North Carpina Writing Center Go to Source}

You might say, “Teacher, I’m trying to improve my grades on this course. Specifically, what do I have to do to improve my score?”
You’re more likely to convince your professor if you show a desire to improve rather than just adjusting grades.|}}

Christopher Taylor, PhD

Assistant Professor of English

Christopher Taylor is an assistant professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.

Proposing possible solutions

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Offer to earn extra points. Sometimes you can improve your grade in class by earning extra points. You can try asking your professor to give you extra work for extra points. However, you should note that many professors do not give extra points. ^{[9] X Research Source}

You could try saying, “Sir, can you give me extra work? Maybe I should write another one to earn extra points.”

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Please redo the post. This could be a possible solution if your professor leaves this option open. Ask the professor if you can do another assignment. For example, you might ask to write a new article on that or similar topic.

You might ask, “Ma’am, will you allow me to retake the test?”

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Consider appealing to a higher level. You should think carefully before making a complaint to a higher level. Unless the professor makes an obvious mistake, those at the top will accept the graded scores. If you’re sure you can change your score, make sure to follow the requirements. Ask your school’s student affairs office for procedures. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Skip. Unless the professor clearly made a mistake when calculating the grade, it’s probably best to just ignore it. The act of insisting on getting your grades corrected will not make you more popular with the professor. More importantly, it might be better if you put that effort into studying.

Steps

Understand the number of points you get

Talk to your professor about your score

Proposing possible solutions

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