Wager Mage
Photo by Polina Zimmerman Pexels Logo Photo: Polina Zimmerman

Why do grades skip E?

In the 1930s, as the letter-based grading system grew more and more popular, many schools began omitting E in fear that students and parents may misinterpret it as standing for “excellent.” Thus resulting in the A, B, C, D, and F grading system.

Who is the only player to score in every league?
Who is the only player to score in every league?

Hooper has scored in the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, FA Cup, League Cup, Football League Trophy, FA Trophy, UEFA...

Read More »
What happens when you cash out?
What happens when you cash out?

In a cash-out refinance, a new mortgage is taken out for more than your previous mortgage balance, and the difference is paid to you in cash. You...

Read More »

A, B, C, D, F... wait, what?

Victoria 1/shutterstock

If you’ve ever wondered why you’ve never gotten an E on your report card, you’re not alone. Most grading systems in the United States typically go by A, B, C, D, then F. So, what did E do to be skipped? As it turns out, E used to be a standard grade. (Here are the secrets of straight-A students that all scholars should definitely steal.) According to the Washington Post, “The first letter grade ever given in the United States, according to historical records, was a B received by a Harvard University undergraduate in 1883. There is no indication of how he felt about the grade, but that simple way of judging student work quickly became popular.” After that, other institutions started catching onto the concept of grading with letters. In 1887, Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts was supposedly the first school to continue the use of a letter-based grading system. An A was equivalent to 95-100%, a B was equivalent to 85-94%, a C was equivalent to 76-84%, a D was 75%, and an E was anything below a 75%—which meant failure. A year after Mount Holyoke’s grading system was put into place, they changed each letter so they represented different percentages. According to todayifoundout.com, “B became anything from 90-94%, C was 85-89%, D was 80-84%, and E was 75-79%. Below that, they added in the dreaded F.” In the 1930s, as the letter-based grading system grew more and more popular, many schools began omitting E in fear that students and parents may misinterpret it as standing for “excellent.” Thus resulting in the A, B, C, D, and F grading system. According to mentalfloss.com, “Recent surveys show that letter grades are [now] the most common grades used in elementary and secondary schools and two- and four-year colleges and universities.” Just reading the history of letter grades probably boosted your GPA, but are you smarter now than you were in high school? Take this quiz to find out!

Can I buy a car and claim it on tax?
Can I buy a car and claim it on tax?

You can claim both new and used cars. Much like a new car, a used car also has to be installed and ready for use by June 30, 2022 in order to be...

Read More »
How to make a bet?
How to make a bet?

Most sportsbooks make it quite easy. Navigate to your desired game and bet type. Click the “bet cell” The bet will populate in your bet slip. Enter...

Read More »

What is the highest GPA ever?

A GPA higher than 5.0 is rare, but school point systems are occasionally structured so that students taking advanced classes can rack up bonus points. One student even managed to land a stunning 10.03 GPA by taking 17 advanced classes at a school that awarded bonus points.

It Depends on the Scale

The highest possible GPA depends on the scale that you are using. The commonly used 0-4 scale (also known as an unweighted scale) caps the highest score at 4.0, but weighted scales like the 0-4.5 or 0-5 scale make higher GPAs possible. Typically, high schools that use weighted GPAs opt for the 0-5 scale that makes 5.0 the highest possible grade. A GPA higher than 5.0 is rare, but school point systems are occasionally structured so that students taking advanced classes can rack up bonus points. One student even managed to land a stunning 10.03 GPA by taking 17 advanced classes at a school that awarded bonus points. If the different GPA scales seem a little confusing, check out our guide on how to calculate GPA for a straightforward explanation of weighted and unweighted GPAs.

Which sport can make you rich?
Which sport can make you rich?

Though it may surprise many of you, Formula 1 Racing is actually one of the most profitable sports in the world. It also commands one of the...

Read More »
What is sandbagging in poker?
What is sandbagging in poker?

Slow playing (also called sandbagging or trapping) is a deceptive play in poker where a player bets weakly or passively with a strong holding. It...

Read More »
Can a bookie refuse to pay out?
Can a bookie refuse to pay out?

In the case of the bookie, if they think that you've done something that is against their terms and conditions, or is suspicious, then they can...

Read More »
Is it rude to tip in cash?
Is it rude to tip in cash?

From the viewpoint of the server or person being tipped, cash is generally preferred. That is not just because a less scrupulous server may skip...

Read More »