Diplomessy #4: A Game Theory Guide to Finding Out Your Classmates’ Grades
(Photo/Pexels/Person Checking Test Papers/Andy Barbour)
By Pranav Mehta
Midterm season has drawn to a close, and so begins the age-old game of academic espionage: finding out your classmates’ grades without ever revealing your own. As any game theory enthusiast knows, this is a perfect example of the Prisoner’s Dilemma. In this classic thought experiment, each player’s optimal strategy depends on the decisions of the other. There are four possible outcomes, ranging from the ideal to the catastrophic. And so begins the great midterm marks negotiation—a game of intellect, charm, and just the right amount of humblebragging. Master each scenario so you’re not left rejected like a null hypothesis in a poorly designed experiment.
1. You Reveal, They Don’t: The Worst-Case Scenario
Here, you’ve naively spilled the beans on your grade, hoping it’ll inspire a reciprocation—and instead, your ever-coy classmate sits there in stoic silence. You’re left with nothing but the knowledge that they’re doing better (or worse), while they’re now fully aware of your academic prowess (or lack thereof). This is equivalent to a full confession while the other prisoner stays quiet. You’ve given them everything, gained nothing, and are left with only regret. This is a strategy to avoid at all costs.
Strategy: Use vague disclosures and carefully hedge your language. Throw out a test statement like, “Oh, I did fine—didn’t blow it out of the water, but got through okay.” This puts you in a safe, middle-ground space where they may feel comfortable sharing without you having overexposed your own grade. If they still don’t respond, you’ve dodged full exposure.
2. You Both Reveal: The “Fair but Risky” Scenario
In this outcome, you both reveal your grades—a fair exchange but one fraught with potential danger. Now you know each other’s academic status, but depending on the outcome, it could lead to awkwardness, comparison, or, worse, future one-upmanship in class discussions. This is mutual cooperation: each side gains information but sacrifices confidentiality. It’s not the worst-case scenario, but it’s not ideal, especially if you’re on the lower end of the grade curve.
Strategy: If you suspect mutual reveal is imminent, control the conversation by being first but strategic. Mention a small victory or mild frustration: I did well on the calculations, but those short answers? Brutal.” This frames your grade as a bit of a mystery, encouraging them to offer up theirs as an act of solidarity without inviting direct comparison.
3. Neither of You Reveals: The Polite Standoff
Here, neither of you shares your grade, resulting in an impasse. There’s no intel gained, but no secrets spilled either. It’s safe but unsatisfying, and you’re left wondering how your score stacks up against the rest. It’s a missed opportunity, but a safe choice.
Strategy: If you’re in a deadlock, lean into the academic detachment approach. Sigh and say, “I’m just glad it’s over; I haven’t even looked at the grade yet.” This signals ambivalence while hinting that you don’t intend to reveal anything personal. They might break first and spill their grade in response—or at the very least, it gives you both a graceful way out without seeming nosy or overly private.
4. You Don’t Reveal, They Do: The Ideal Outcome
This is the golden scenario: through clever maneuvering, you’ve gained insight into their grade without giving away your own. Whether they volunteer their score out of casual pride, insecurity, or a simple desire to share, you’ve walked away with valuable intel while keeping your own status under wraps.
Strategy: Master the strategic compliment. This tactic relies on gently feeding their ego in just the right way. Start with “I feel like you must’ve done great on that last question—mine was a total guess.” This opens up two possibilities: they’ll either affirm your observation by sharing their grade or downplay their success but still mention a specific score. In either case, you get the information you want, with none of the risk.
Navigating midterm grades is no small feat. Remember: trust nobody. Not even me. But if you’ve followed along this far, I suppose I can trust you with one last bit of intel: I got a B-. Or did I?
Pranav Mehta, CFA (MIA '26) is an International Finance and Economic Policy student. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from New York University Abu Dhabi.