Imagine a course as teaching the content along a linear function from 0 to N understanding. With traditional grading we are effectively determining the area und

Imagine a course as teaching the content along a linear function from 0 to N understanding. With traditional grading we are effectively determining the area under the line for the given class, even though the goal of the class is to leave with a mastery of the content. Consider two students, one whose education path in the course is exponential and the other whose path is logarithmic where both paths intersect at the end of the course. According to traditional grading the logarithmic student would score far better in the course despite their knowledge being equal to the other student by the end. Which student would you rather be? who has more potential? Should the body of a course be treated like a series of 100m sprints or a marathon, and what is the net positive outcome through each approach?