A professor gives a new test to an otherwise typical class and finds that only 10 percent of the students get grades of C or above. What is the most appropriate and fair response?

A) do nothing
B) revise the grading curve downward
C) revise the grading curve upward
D) revise the test itself

Answer: D
Explanation: Doing nothing would leave most of the class with a poor grade, so that is an unappealing and probably unfair response. Revising the curve upward is inappropriate since it would mean even fewer students get acceptable grades. Revising the curve downward would remedy the grading problem, but it would not be the best response because there is probably something wrong with the test itself since a typical class performed so poorly. Thus, the best response would be to change the test itself, making that choice the correct response.