[jimbokun]

My mental models for grades today: B is the median. A is above average. C means you showed up and handed things in, but didn't really "get it".

So, on this scale, D and F aren't really distinguishable. Either pretty much mean you didn't make an effort.

I've been taking CS graduate classes part time with (who I consider to be) pretty smart people, so I am happy with an A and satisfied with a B. If I try and still get a C, I'll know that I didn't really belong in that class, at least without more preparatory work.

[pohart]

My professor's view was also that D and F were pretty much the same also, you can't get very many Ds and stay in school. D is kind of like a "high fail." I believe we were limited in the number of Ds on our transcript for graduation, although I don't remember anymore.

[a-priori]

I've always called those "pity passes", as in you really failed, but the prof took pity on you and bumped up your 45% to 50%.

I know that at my school I need an average of 60% to graduate with an honours degree (not that that matters, because I need a 70% average for Co-op).

[yummyfajitas]

Only one problem (at many places): D is no longer an acceptable grade for required classes. Where I teach (a top US university), neither is C-.

Of course, we don't want to require people to take the class again. So C is the new F.