Midterm Grades
How can you tell how you're doing in your classes throughout the semester? Check your midterm grades!
What are midterm grades?
Midterm grades are an indicator of your progress at the halfway point of the semester. They offer feedback to help you determine in which courses additional support may be the most helpful as you approach the second half of the semester.
At SDSU, instructors will submit midterm grades for undergraduate courses with the following instructional methods.
- A – Studio
- D – Discussion
- E – Seminar
- F – Small Group
- L – Laboratory
- O – Orientation
- P – Physical Education Activity
- R – Lecture
You can find the instructional method for a course in Self Service at . Search for your course and click on the course title. In the pop-up window, the instructional method is listed in the Class Details section.
For all other undergraduate courses, including those with nonstandard start or end dates, assigning midterm grades is optional. Midterm grades are also optional in graduate courses.
When viewing your midterm grades, you may see the following.
- Letter grades: A, B, C, D, F
- Courses with Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade mode: S, U
- Remedial courses: RS, RU
Midterm grades are not part of your permanent academic transcript. Rather, final grades assigned at the end of the semester will be on your permanent academic transcript.
How can I find my midterm grades?
You can view your midterm grades in Self Service by searching for Grades and Official Transcripts on the . If you have questions regarding access to Self Service, please email the SDSU Support Desk or call 605-688-6776.
Keep in mind that midterm grades are not required in all courses. A missing midterm grade is not an indication of either a passing or failing status. Please contact your instructor if you have questions about your status in a course.
I found my midterm grades. Now what?
There is still time for you to take action to achieve your goals for the semester. Here are a few tips.
- Review grade details in your syllabus and on your course’s digital platform (D2L or the course’s designated courseware site). Have all of the points you’ve earned so far been included in each of your midterm grades? If not, recalculate your grade with the additional points factored in to determine your current grade.
- Talk with your professor if your midterm grade doesn’t match what you would expect based on course activities that were graded prior to midterm.
- Determine how many points remain in the class and what grades you need on remaining assignments, quizzes and exams to achieve your grade goal in a particular course.
- Consider which learning and self-management strategies you are currently using. Think critically about what is working and what can be improved.
- Seek help! Did you know that nearly 50% of all undergraduate students at SDSU use Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center resources each year? You’re not alone!
How can I use my midterm grades to plan for the rest of the semester?
Whether you're excelling in your courses or would like to improve your performance, SDSU offers many resources to support you as you complete the current semester. Consider the following options.
- If you have a grade of A or B: Kudos! This is a positive indicator of your success in a course. Take these steps to maintain your current level of performance.
- Reinvest in your study time.
- Consider using tips from Study Hub to further develop your learning and self-management strategies.
- If you have a grade of C: Consider this a nudge to take additional action in your course.
- Use tips from Study Hub.
- Closely monitor your course progress.
- Consider attending tutoring or supplemental instruction if your course is supported by these resources.
- Seek help from your professor or advisor if you see a decline in performance.
- Email the Wintrode Center or call 605-688-4155 to request an appointment with a success adviser. Success advisers provide individualized appointments to help you create a success plan and build skills to support your success.
- If you have a grade of D or F: It’s time to take action!
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the status of your courses. Access your academic advisor’s contact information at My Current Profile on the Dashboard.
- Email the Wintrode Center or call 605-688-4155 to request an appointment with a success adviser. Success advisers provide individualized appointments to help you create a success plan and build skills to support your success.
- Stop by Student Health and Counseling Services in the Wellness Center Monday-Friday from 8:30-11 a.m. or from 12:30-3 p.m. Counseling staff can help you achieve success through development of strategies for managing academic and personal challenges.
- Students with documented disabilities can follow these steps to request accommodations through SDSU’s Office of Student Accessibility.
What if I want to drop a course?
Before you drop a course, review information on SDSU’s Course Drops and Withdrawals webpage and talk with your academic advisor. Your advisor can share the deadline for dropping courses, help you determine possible outcomes from dropping a course and provide information about how dropping the course could impact your academic progress, grades, eligibility for financial aid or athletics and more!
