The Pass-Fail Option: The Congruence between the Rationale for and Student Reasons in Electing

Abstract

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if the pass-fail option was primarily exercised in courses outside the academic majors of university students and (2) to examine the reasons for electing and the influence of pass-fail on learning, motivation, anxiety, and grade aspiration. The percentages of students electing pass-fail in courses within and outside major were calculated. The responses of within major students were compared with the responses of outside major students, using chi-square tests of independence. The responses of the total sample were also examined. The rationale for the pass-fail system was inconsistent with the frequency of and the reasons for student election of the option. Students reported a lowering of anxiety, motivation, aspirations, and learning.