OT Teachers and Students: Retaking Tests

What grade (college, high school, etc.)?

I'm not giving retakes to anyone, if it's not offered to everyone.

Test average is 65 on the retake offered original test
Test average is 80 on the one student B did poorly on

College level

I think I would grade on a curve rather than offering retests. I never remember getting the chance to retest.

The other scenario opens a whole can of worms down the road and might set a bad precedent.

I think it's bullshite Student B gets penalized. Had this argument at one point.

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So, do you think allowing a retake on a test when the grades were bad is fair? Example: Student A makes 40. Teacher offers retake on that test. Student A makes 90. Student B makes 90 on the original test. Student B makes 40 on different test but no retake offered on that test.

Legit complaint?

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the only way this wouldn't be total horse shite IMO is if for some inexplicable reason the teacher told everyone that there would be retakes for the first test, but not the second, before either test was taken. the student who got a 90 should also be able to retake to try and score even better.

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Test average is 65 on the retake offered original test
Test average is 80 on the one student B did poorly on

College level

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Selective retests sounds like bullshite. Teacher should just grade on a curve if he/she wants to normalize between easier/harder tests.

Student B has a right to be pissed.

Very experienced high school teacher here.


Retaking tests makes it easier on the teacher and school by putting the responsibility on the student.

Before a student can retake the test they must do an extra assignment which will help them prepare for the test. For example, define the terms and definitions in chapters 6-8 and do the chapter reviews.

Good student studies and makes a 90. They will probably keep the 90. But if they want to do extra work and learn more then good for them.


Bad student who does not work hard makes a 30. There is a 99% chance they will not do the extra work so they won't have the opportunity to retake the test. If they do the extra work and learn something good, but they won't.


Bad student fails the class and momma and daddy are raising hell and trying to fire the terrible teacher. The teacher and school calmly points out the student had opportunities all year to raise thier grade.

Bad student and hell raising parents go away with only the student to blame.



EDIT: Did not know the OP was referring to college when I posted.

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Bad student fails the class and momma and daddy are raising hell and trying to fire the terrible teacher.

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OP is referring to college though. Things are quite different I would guess. Never been a teacher so I'm just guessing.

I think it depends on the circumstances.

In my freshman year I had very difficult professor and she didn't like my final paper. Gave me a D. But then she let me write another paper, this time on a different topic of my choosing, and I wrote about something I cared about and got an A on the paper. She then averaged the papers together for my final score. I thought that was decent. FWIW she offered to let me write the second paper, I didn't ask, so other students may have gotten the courtesy too.