Toward the end of each term your tutors will be asked to provide a brief written report of your work and progress during the term and to give an assessment. This is usually based on your written essays and tutorial discussions; in some cases tutors may set a written examination as well.You will be measured against the standards expected of matriculated degree students and graded accordingly. No allowance is made for unfamiliarity with the Oxford system. The scale used in Oxford is based on Greek letter grades and although it cannot be directly translated into American terms the following table (written in consultation with the dons who have taught at leading US colleges) offers a carefully considered comparison: Oxford Grades U.S. Grade Point Values Alpha, Alpha- A+ or A 4.3/4.0 Alpha--, Alpha Beta A 4.0 Beta-Alpha, Beta+ A- 3.7 Beta, Beta--- B+ 3.3 Beta-Gamma, Gamma-Beta B 3.0 Gamma+++, Gamma+ B- 2.7 "The academic program was excellent, the standard and level of the work that I have done has been extremely high. The tutors are very responsive and excited to teach. WISC is the best academic study abroad program in Oxford." KB, Hamilton College Your grade evaluation will be discussed at the end of each term (see above under 'Academic Adviser'). However, you must be aware that these grades are not open to negotiation and that only in exceptional cases will tutors be asked to reconsider their marking - the Academic Adviser will already have discussed directly with the tutor any grade which seems unclear, or incompatible with the written evaluation. Because your Oxford tutors and your home college advisers want you to have the opportunity of completing a substantial and coherent body of academic work during your relatively short time in Oxford your term as an Associate Member will be twelve weeks in length. A one term student, therefore will be able to complete the academic work of a US semester (14 semester credits). Students enroling for the full academic year will normally have 12 or 13 tutorials a term and thus will be able to earn 36 to 39 US semester credits for the academic year. Depending on the college, Visiting Students may have more tutorials. If the US home College recommends a larger workload, visiting students or Associate Members may study in more than 14 tutorials a term and for 15 weeks, at no extra cost. There can be no refund if a student chooses fewer tutorials or leaves Oxford early. Both Magdalen and New College routinely offer two primary tutorial courses to their students. This is one reason they are at the top of the Academic League tables. All credits are actually awarded (via transfer) by the home college; it is the student's responsibility to see that proper arrangements have been made in advance. Some U.S. colleges may limit the number of credits that may be earned abroad, in which case your registrar will make an appropriate adjustment.Students should keep copies of their essays and reading lists; these will be helpful to your U.S. home college professors who must evaluate and approve your academic work done away from your home college.