What do I do if I have bad grades on my report card?
William Jenkins
Updated on February 02, 2026
Five Tips for Handling a Bad Report Card
- Praise, praise, praise! Acknowledge the A in art, the good attendance, the well-mannered attitude.
- Discuss, don’t lecture! Kids tune out lectures.
- Identify and acknowledge motivational patterns.
- Think proficiency, not perfection.
- Meet with the teacher.
How do you lie about a bad grade?
Talk to your parents openly and honestly. Explain to them that what you’re going to say is difficult, and that you’re worried about disappointing them. This will tell your parents that you’re acting in a mature way, and that you feel bad. Tell them you got your report card and that you weren’t happy with the mark.
How do you bring up a bad grade?
- How to Raise Your Grades Quickly in 5-Steps.
- Assess where you are in the semester and what you have left to do.
- Assess your current studying techniques and behaviors thoroughly.
- Talk to your teacher.
- Create a study schedule, get yourself organized and attend tutoring in the subjects with “C” averages and below.
How do you make excuses for bad grades?
Classic Excuses
- It Wasn’t Me. Your parents were students once upon a time, meaning they know that The Legend of the Wrathful Teacher is a myth.
- They’ve All Got It In For Me.
- The Good Cop / Bad Cop Dodge.
- It Never Happened.
- You’re a Secret Genius.
- Seen To Be Bereaved.
- It’s All About Timing.
- Do The Ground Work.
What to tell your parents when you get a bad report card?
Tell them why you made a bad grade. Stay honest when you explain to them what happened. If you didn’t study, tell them. If you tried your best, but still failed, tell them. Something you could say is “I had a hard time understanding the material,” or “I didn’t study for the test, which led to me doing poorly on it.”
Why do parents care about grades?
What children think their parents want for them can play a significant role in shaping the children’s chances of future success. This is especially true if parents value grades and achievement over things like empathy, compassion, kindness, and social skills.
Is BA a bad grade?
B – is still a pretty good grade! This is an above-average score, between 80% and 89% D – this is still a passing grade, and it’s between 59% and 69% F – this is a failing grade.
Why do parents only care about grades?
Your parents do care about far more than grades. Because they have been in your shoes and can therefore see farther than you can at this moment, they are pushing more study and good grades. Why? They know that in the future you will need the self discipline learned from setting high goals and studying to achieve them.
Is 60 a bad grade?
A 60% retention is below average recall and therefore is considered a “bad” grade. 60% is usually considered to be a “passing” grade—usually a D. So it is not a “failing” grade. It means that the student has met the requirements of the course but below the average expectations of the course.
Is 70 a bad grade?
C – this is a grade that rests right in the middle. C is anywhere between 70% and 79% D – this is still a passing grade, and it’s between 59% and 69% F – this is a failing grade.
What to do if you get a bad grade on your report card?
A slip in your grades doesn’t mean that you’re unintelligent or lazy. Try to accept the situation as a minor setback and keep moving forward. Bad grades can happen for many different reasons—perhaps you don’t contribute enough to group projects, or you get exceptionally nervous before tests.
Why did my child get a bad report card?
If your child has exceptional grades on his homework but has a hard time taking tests, his grades may reflect this and not his true understanding of the subject. Somewhere on that report card, there is something to be proud of.
How can I Make my Report Card more believable?
To make your mock-up more believable, only change one or two of the worst grades, rather than every single one. A wider range of grades will attract less attention. Consider leaving one or two average grades in place. This will make it appear that nothing is amiss.
Is it possible to make a report card that is all as?
Unless you’re normally an exceptional student, it’s unrealistic to have a report card that’s all As. To make your mock-up more believable, only change one or two of the worst grades, rather than every single one. A wider range of grades will attract less attention.