Marks that a teacher gives you when he or she doesn't have the heart to give you the zero you actually deserve.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pity marks

If one student can work hard at an assignment and achieve a 9/10 and the flunky who hands in a project four months late, half done gets 7/10 because they tried is a little unfair.
Sounds like all these “pity marks” are being handed out to improve school statistics and classroom rating. Definitely, not to create good work ethics, nor forcing students to be accountable for their actions.
http://peicanada.com/opinion_cindy_chant_editor/columns_opin...