I was a TA for some computer classes at Stanford a little while ago. Part of that meant that we would spend many hours grading exams at the end of the term. Every time I wondered to myself how much student handwriting affected their grades. How could a student write almost entirely illegibly and expect to get a good grade on the exam? Sometimes I couldn't find the correct answer even if it was there on the page.
Other students had very clear handwriting, while others had very crisp and confident handwriting. I'm sure there are numerous subtle cues in handwriting that give it the air of professionalism or confidence.
Handwriting differences could easily account for a few points on an exam, which might translate into a few crucial percentage points.
Soon we'll just have to force everyone to type their answers in a standard format and then the graders can view the results in the editor of their choice.
I wonder if that has ever affected my grades. I have truly horrendous, mostly irregular handwriting but it is readable to most people. I can, however, write in calligraphic styles but it isn't automatic.
Does handwriting say anything more about a person than that they spent a thousand hours or so in their early schooling repeating symbols on paper?
Other students had very clear handwriting, while others had very crisp and confident handwriting. I'm sure there are numerous subtle cues in handwriting that give it the air of professionalism or confidence.
Handwriting differences could easily account for a few points on an exam, which might translate into a few crucial percentage points.
Soon we'll just have to force everyone to type their answers in a standard format and then the graders can view the results in the editor of their choice.