FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON PASS/FAIL GRADING AND SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

• How does a student choose the pass/fail option?

The official form to make this request will be available on the student hub [https://hub.ncat.edu/] on May 13, 2021, and announced through email, social media and on this website. Students will need to log in on the student hub to see the form, once it is available. The form is not available on Aggie Access.

• What are the deadlines associated with choosing the pass/fail option?

Requests may be submitted beginning May 13, 2021, and end May 28, 2021.

• Is there a limit on how many courses a student can choose for the pass/fail option?

Yes. Undergraduate students can select no more than 1 course.

Are graduate students allowed to select the pass/fail option?

No. Graduate students may not declare pass/fail for any courses in Spring 2021.

• Does the course credit hour matter in the 1-course limit for undergraduate students? For instance, may I select a four credit-hour course in the course limit or do all of the courses have to be three credit-hour courses?

No. It does not matter what the credit-hour count is for the one course you select. 

• How will classes be graded?

All courses will be graded as usual by the instructor, and the earned grade applied. When a student requests the pass/fail option, the Banner system will convert the grade to P1, if a passing grade was earned. If a failing grade was earned, the student will receive an F.

• How will the pass/fail option affect my GPA?

P1 will not be factored into the students’ GPA. F is factored as an F.

• Can a student change the Spring 2021 P1 graded-course back to a letter grade? 

Yes, students who wish to change from P1 back to the A-F grading system will have one opportunity to do so, and must request the grade change by June 4, 2021, through their department.

• How will the pass/fail option affect prerequisite requirements?

For this semester, students who choose the pass/fail option and receive a passing grade (P1) will be allowed to enroll in the next course in the sequence.

• Will there be a notation on the transcript regarding why a student has pass/fail grades for the Spring 2021 semester?

Yes, there is text included on the transcript.

• What if I’m taking a course to replace a previous grade?

If you want to accept the grade earned this semester to replace the previous grade, you can. If the grade earned is not favorable, then choosing a P1 may be a better option.

• How will the pass/fail option affect my academic standing overall?

Academic standing will be based on your term, cumulative GPA and number of credits earned.

• If a C or better is a prerequisite for another course how will the pass/fail option impact my ability to take that course in the future?

Students who choose the pass/fail option and receive a P1 will be allowed to enroll in the next course in the sequence.

• What is the lowest letter grade to “Pass” a course?

The lowest letter grade to pass a course is a D for undergraduates.

• For major courses that require a C or better, is that still the lowest grade to meet the course requirement?

Yes, for students who choose the letter grade option.

For students who choose the pass/fail option and pass, they will need to pass the course. This guidance applies to the Spring 2021 semester. 

• How will this impact my financial aid or scholarships?

Please consult with Financial Aid about your particular account.

• Can I get an incomplete in a course?

An Incomplete is determined by the instructor. If you have an incomplete in a class, you must have completed all work prior to June 4, 2021, in order to request the pass/fail option for the course. If you complete the course after June 4, 2021, pass/fail is no longer an available option.

• What grade do I have to earn to Pass (P1) under the pass/fail option?

You have to earn a D or higher to qualify for a P1, otherwise it will be a fail (F).

• Can I appeal a pass/fail grade?

You will need to appeal the letter grade through the normal grade appeal process. If the letter grade appeal is approved prior to June 4, you may request the P/F option for the course, provided you make the request by June 4, 2021. 

• Will the pass/fail courses count toward my degree requirements? 

Yes, if you earn a P1.

• What if my courses require a letter grade for employment, graduate or professional school?

It is difficult for an admissions committee or employer to determine a student's level of mastery based on Pass/Fail grades. A letter grade may be your best option, and the decision should be made with your advisor on a case-by-case basis.

• If I choose the pass/fail option for a course, can I repeat it later for a letter grade?

Yes; for undergraduates, this repeat cannot exceed 16 hours of repeated courses for your undergraduate career.

• Can I choose the pass/fail option for all of my classes?

No. Undergraduates can choose the pass/fail option for one class.

• What if I want to transfer? How will a pass/fail grade impact that process (will the grade in Banner be shared with the new school?)

The new school will see the pass/fail grade on the official transcript.

• For major courses that require a C or better, is that still the lowest grade to pass the course for the major?

Yes, if you choose the letter grade option, you must receive a C or better as required by the program.

If you choose the pass/fail option and pass, you will need to pass the course. The P1 meets this requirement. Please check with your advisor or the Department Chair for additional guidance.

• Can a Department or College choose to not accept a P1 grade as meeting the “C or better” prerequisite for the next course?

No.

• Can a Department or College choose to not accept a P1 grade as meeting the “C or better” requirement for major courses that require a C?

No.

• If a student receives a D or F because of academic dishonesty, will that student be forced to receive the assigned grade or can they withdraw retroactively from the course and escape penalty?

If the faculty pursues the formal process for academic dishonesty through the student misconduct process, the outcome will determine what happens. 

• Will there be Dean’s List/Chancellor’s List for Spring 2021?

Yes, a Dean's List and Chancellor's List will be offered for the Spring 2021 semester.

To be eligible for the Dean's List, an undergraduate student must have 12 credit hours with standard letter grades (P1 is not a standard letter grade) and a GPA of 3.25. Students are not eligible for the Dean's List in any semester in which they receive a grade of D or F. Dean's List recognition shall be noted on the student's permanent academic record.

To be eligible for the Chancellor's List, an undergraduate student must have 12 credit hours with standard letter grades (P1 is not a standard letter grade) and a GPA of 3.75. Students are not eligible for the Chancellor’s List in any semester in which they receive a grade of D or F. Chancellor’s List recognition appears on the student’s permanent academic record.