Posted March 17, 1999

To Berkeleyan columnist Tamara Keith:

I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your column, on the passed/not passed grading option, in the March 10 Berkeleyan.

As a former graduate student instructor, I have noticed another side to the p/np phenomenon which is "Exactly how few points do I need to pass this class?"

I have seen many students find out that, unfortunately, the number of points they needed was about five more than they earned, and they end up with that odd grade of D+, or np.

It is a fine line, and too many students really blow it trying to figure out exactly how few assignments to do and exactly how little time to spend studying.

Thanks for the excellent column.

Chris Carter
Commencement Coordinator
College of Engineering
Undergraduate Dean's Office

March 17 - 30, 1999 (Volume 27, Number 27)
Copyright 1999, The Regents of the University of California.
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