Should I Email a Professor Again About a Grade?

A professor’s silence does not necessarily mean they are ignoring you. They may be busy, traveling, handling a large class, or have missed the message. If your question concerns a grade, it is reasonable to follow up once after giving them time to respond. You are not obligated to keep emailing indefinitely; use the course’s normal contact and grade-review procedures if the issue remains unresolved.

When to send a follow-up

For a non-urgent question, waiting about five business days to a week before following up is a considerate rule of thumb. This is not a universal standard: some instructors reply more quickly, while others may state a longer response time in the syllabus. Check the syllabus, course website, and any posted availability information first.

If a grade-review deadline, registration decision, or other time-sensitive issue is approaching, do not wait a full week. Send a concise follow-up and mention the relevant date. If the professor has announced that they are away or unavailable, take that into account and look for an alternative contact or process.

How to write the second email

Reply in the same email thread so the earlier message is easy to find. Use a neutral subject line and include your course, section, and the assignment or exam in question. Explain what you are asking the professor to clarify; avoid suggesting misconduct or demanding a particular grade.

For example:

Subject: Follow-up: Question about Exam 2 grading

Dear Professor Lee,

I’m following up on my message from Tuesday about the grading on Question 4 of Exam 2. I’m trying to understand how the rubric was applied to my answer. Could you let me know whether I may review the marked exam with you during office hours, or whether there is another process I should follow? I understand you may be busy.

Thank you,
Alex

If you can, identify the specific issue rather than saying only that the grade seems unfair. For instance, ask how a rubric item applies to a particular part of your answer, or point out a possible totaling error. A focused question gives the instructor something concrete to respond to.

If there is still no response

After one follow-up, choose another appropriate channel instead of sending repeated messages every day. You could:

1. Attend the professor’s listed office hours or ask whether an appointment is available.
2. Contact the teaching assistant or course administrator for procedural questions, if the course uses one.
3. Check the syllabus or department website for the formal process and deadline for requesting a grade review.
4. If the issue remains unresolved, ask the department’s graduate or undergraduate director, program coordinator, or chair which process applies.

Keep the tone factual. When you contact someone else, briefly state when you emailed, when you followed up, what clarification you need, and whether a deadline is approaching. You are asking for guidance on the process, not asking a more senior person to pressure the professor into changing a grade.

Grade-review rules vary by institution and may have strict deadlines. Follow the published policy, and do not assume that an informal email pauses or extends a deadline. If you are unsure where to begin, ask the department office who handles grade appeals or review requests.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending repeated messages too quickly. Multiple emails in a short period can make it harder to resolve the issue. One clear follow-up is usually more useful.
• Writing while angry. Draft the message, wait, and reread it before sending. Stick to the rubric, recorded score, and question you need answered.
• Making the request too general. “Why did I get this grade?” is less actionable than asking about a specific rubric category or possible scoring discrepancy.
• Copying several administrators immediately. Start with the professor unless a deadline or the institution’s policy calls for another route. Escalate in a measured way if needed.
• Ignoring deadlines. Find the official review window early and keep copies of relevant messages and graded work.

A practical decision rule

If fewer than several business days have passed and there is no deadline, wait. If a reasonable interval has passed, send one short follow-up. If the matter is urgent, the professor remains unavailable, or the review deadline is close, use office hours or ask the department about the formal procedure rather than relying on email alone.