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First let's ask why do we have an minimum exam performance criteria ?
This is because we believe that examinations are the best way we have to really find out what individual students know and what they can do with their knowledge. Therefore we need a minimum standard in those components especially as it relates to going on to courses that build on the knowledge of that course. Note that this minimum requirement is well below the typical class average on the examinations (those averages are typically 62.5% + / - 2%), and typically 75% or more of students score above 50% on midterms or finals. Remember that according to the university Calendar, a C denotes "satisfactory - basic understanding".
Here is the typical course statement:
"A minimum 50% on the laboratory *and* *either* a minimum 50% on the Final examination *or* a minimum 50% weighted average on the examinations *is required* in order to satisfy prerequisite requirements (/i.e./ C-) for further Science courses."
The weighted average takes account of the fact that the midterm and final are worth differing numbers of coursemarks.
So if the MT is worth 20% and the final is worth 45%, the exam weighted average (%) = [(0.20 x MT%) + (0.45 x FIN%)] / [ 0.20 + 0.45]
At the end of the semester when all the marks are in, we check students exam scores against the requirements stated on the course information sheet. This means that any student who has either a weighted average of exams of 50% or greater, or they achieved 50% or greater on the Final could get a C- or better.
So if a student scores below 50% on the midterm, they need to make sure they score a minimum of 50% on the final to ensure that they satisfy this criteria.
Let's look at some "real" examples that a student asked us about a few years ago. The only part that matters for this discussion are the exam grades on the MT and the FINAL. The overall letter grade that the student got (due to there marks in other course components are stated for completeness. And after each example the reason why the grade was awarded is stated....
50.0 50.5 C : both exams are 50 % or above so weighted average AND final is 50% or higher = prerequisite level achieved
39.0 51.0 C- : final exam is above 50% = prerequisite level achieved.
55.0 48.0 C : weighted average = 50.2% therefore prerequisite level achieved.
52.0 49.5 C : weighted average = 50.3% therefore prerequisite level achieved.
40.5 50.0 C : final exam is 50% = prerequisite level achieved.
42.0 50.5 C+ : final exam is above 50% = prerequisite level achieved.
45.5 50.0 C : final exam is 50% = prerequisite level achieved.
39.0 50.0 C : final exam is above 50% = prerequisite level achieved.
48.5 48.5 D+ : since neither exam is 50 % or higher, the weighted average is below 50% and therefore the prerequisite level NOT achieved, student ineligible for C- or better grade, D+ awarded.