This goes all the time in college as well. If you get the answer wrong, you get “partial” credit as if they are rewarding half-wrong. If it is wrong, it is wrong. No matter of “good intention” is going to make it right.
As a 50+ "non-traditional" student (returned to finish that dang degree) I can tell you point blank this "partial" credit BS happens with too much frequency.
Most of the time it occurs during the review after the exams have been graded, the brats who are forever playing on their I-phones during lectures start their whining "I should get credit because ..." rarely is it for a legitimate oversight on the professors part.
BTW at every opportunity I challenge the liberal viewpoint being spoon-fed to these kids (or shoved down their throats, your choice). I point out the fallacy that is inherent with their position(s), usually in a subtle fashion. Most of the time I think the professors enjoy someone actually engaged in the learning process, and more often than not the topic soon changes because they know I can easily demonstrate the error in their logic.
Sometimes, one or two of the kiddies will comment that they enjoy what I have to say. Hopefully they will continue to question more of the subjective aspects of their education.