Learning to grade better?16947
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 Collector
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Cerebus3000 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I am trying to improve my grading skills because they are inconsistent. I recently followed through the grading contest on the CGC forums. Out of 15 comics I was a total of 22 grades off. I was way off on two comics in particular accounting for 7 of those points. My errors, except for one, were all due to grading the book too high. Anyway, I was thinking of what would help me, and maybe others practice grading. So here is an idea for comic loving web developers, or perhaps CBCS. Create a database of high res pictures of already graded comics. Present the images of each comic with the grades and other details obscured. Include a drop down option for the user to grade. After the user has graded the comic the actual grade and grader notes can be revealed. There is no need to reveal the serial number or other details of the actual book. I do spend a decent amount of time looking at images of graded comics as practice. However, with the grade already on the screen I can't really test my progress. Also, the data is partially corrupted by comics that have likely been over or under graded. Any testing database could be created with the best examples of a wide variety of grades. I'd likely submit more comics for grading if I could be consistently within one grade. This might best be implemented by a company like CBCS because it could drive business their way by improving the confidence of their customers. I imagine it could also be used to asses and train employees or potential new hires. This type of training (for customers and employees) doesn't work for interior defects and restoration, but I know it would be a great help for someone like myself. I am sure a small bit of brainstorming could improve on this basic idea. Of course, if such a site exists already, please let me know. |
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 The Fifth Golden Girl
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sborock private msg quote post Address this user | |
| On our website we put up grading guidlines. That should help a bit. https://www.cbcscomics.com/comics-grading-scale |
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 Collector
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TellEmSteveDave private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Not sure of a website but I use The Overstreet guide to grading comics. Lots of pics and guidelines for grading. I’ve found it very helpful over the years. | ||
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 Collector
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50AE_DE private msg quote post Address this user | |
| https://www.comicbookgradingtool.com/ | ||
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 I AM... THE Bat-Manuel
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MurrayC private msg quote post Address this user | |
| You could get the latest Overstreet grading guide. It has several examples of the same book in different grades | ||
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 COLLECTOR
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dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by MurrayC Definitely a good place to start Amazon Link |
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Collector
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Cerebus3000 private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Yep, I do have the Overstreet grading guide which is great because of the examples and detailed descriptions. I have also checked out the CBCS and CGC grading guidelines, and used comicbookgradingtool.com. I have also watched various grading tutorial videos (eta nick in particular), and try to follow any "the grade is in" type of chat threads. I am better at grading now than when I started (hopefully) but there is a lot more practice in front of me. A testing website like what I suggested would help me, but I recognize it is likely too niche to justify the effort. | ||
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 past performance is no guarantee of future actions.
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KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Others have mentioned the Overstreet guide..BUT..there are multiple editions - 3 I think? I have 2 editions and will maybe get the 3rd? I I'll have to take the test - looks like it's on CGC forum though so likely not a place I'll go - but usually I'm pretty close there was a time I had the OWL card in my wallet to check whiteness levels of pages when getting a book (ages ago now) Overstreet really is the gold standard and with the multiple editions you will see multiple types of errors in the various grades (even more so than from just 1 edition) |
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 Ima gonna steal this and look for some occasion to use it!
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IronMan private msg quote post Address this user | |
| When most people say "get better at grading" what they mean - even the OP even says so - is get better at predicting the grade that will be given to a book by CBCS or CGC. And most people want to get better at grading so as to save money on grading. Not get books graded that the awarded grade is too low to be "worth it". So a lot of people's need would be mostly served by using prescreen when submitting books. CBCS makes it so easy and inexpensive to prescreen. More people should Now a more direct answer: I have found the only way to actually get closer to how grading companies grade is send send in a good number of books for grading in a variety of grades. Or buy a bunch of graded books in various grades. Unless you are only interested in a narrow range of grades - say 9.4 or better. And then remove them from their plastic tombs. This way, you can see what the graders saw. That will obviously cost money. Knowledge is seldom free. Also to keep in mind is the grading companies do shift around some on the grading of specific defects. Especially over time. So you have to pay attention to the changes. If I'm greatly surprised by a grade and if I cannot see what I missed in the holder than I will and do unslab to get a better look. Occasionally I think the grading company goofed. But most of the time if I remove the book from the slab I can see what they saw - and what I missed. And I make note and incorporate going forward. But for me at least, I still get surprised high and low more often than I think I should. So it's always an ongoing, learning process. |
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 Not trying to be an ass since February 12, 2020.
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HulkSmash private msg quote post Address this user | |
| I’ve learned based on the CBCS guidelines and looking at currently graded books. I’m still learning; when I’m questioning a grade; for example I’m on the fence about 7.5; I look at the guidelines again then I look at graded examples to determine if I’m close. For me some of the mid grades are fuzzy with the varying factors involved; if I can determine/eliminate factors then I know I’m relatively close. I like to think I will be able to grade those books accurately one of these days but at times I question a possible 9.6. Homework will go a long way. What did you miss that you now know how to identify? And what did you see that is present in the given grade? I know from experience (and so does another forum member) that “light bends” can be preset and easily be overlooked, unpressable, or more severe bends be pressed to “light bends” and get a hit on said “light bends”. Look at CBCS graded examples below 9.0/9.2, grade those books yourself, then look at the Graders Notes (since they are free) and see if your results match. |
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 Collector
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cesidio private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Grading is subjective. No right or wrong answer. Me i have always followed the over street guide lines. Grading is an art, not a science. | ||
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 Masculinity takes a holiday.
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EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by cesidio It's very true. If grading was completely objective someone would have been able to put together a formula by now that would give you a consistent output based on the input. A flaw that greatly affects an otherwise 9.0 book may have zero effect on an otherwise 4.0 book. |
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Masculinity takes a holiday.
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EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by IronMan @IronMan It's like a Book Maker trying to set odds on a game. They aren't trying to predict the outcome of the game. They are trying to predict how the public anticipates the outcome of a game. |
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