- What is Pass/No Pass
Pass/No Pass (P/NP) in most cases, is a way of taking a class without worrying about your grade. As long as you satisfactorily complete the course (at the “C” or better level), you will receive a “Pass (P)” on your transcript. If you finish the course at the “D” or “F” level, you will receive a “No Pass (NP)” on your transcript. Neither P nor NP will affect your university grade point average. Many students choose this option because it allows them to take courses without worrying about how their performance in these courses (as long as they are confident they can achieve at least a “C” will affect their grade point averages. For example, students may want to explore interests outside of their current major or to fulfil General Education requirements using this option.
- Will I still receive units for courses taken Pass/No Pass
Yes, if you receive a P. No, if you receive a NP. As explained in question #1, if you complete the course at the “C” or better level, you will receive a “Pass (P)” on your transcript. If you finish the course at the “D” or “F” level, you will receive a “No Pass (NP)” on your transcript.
- Will Pass/No Pass affect my grade point average (GPA)
No in most instances. While you will receive units for courses completed with a P, they are not used to compute your grade point average. While some university may honor the policy on Pass/ No Pass, others may count a P as a “C” when computing your GPA for admission. While you will receive units for courses completed with a P, they are not used to compute your grade point average.
- Are there any disadvantages in choosing the Pass/No Pass option
Yes. If you get a NP, you will not receive any units for the course. This may have negative consequences for students on progress probation or those who must complete a certain number of units each term (e.g. student-athletes, financial aid recipients, etc). So, for example, if you receive a “D” in a course and took it for a letter grade, it would affect your grade point average but you would still receive units in the course. However, if you took the same course under the Pass/No Pass option and received a “D”, you would not receive the units in the course. There are advantages and disadvantages under either option. As described in #3, if you are planning on transferring to a university/college, you should check on their policy on using Pass/No Pass in determining GPA.
- Is the Pass/No Pass option available for all university courses
No. Only courses listed in the catalogue or schedule of courses with the grade code of “P/NP “ or “SC” may be taken for P/NP. Courses coded P/NP may only be taken Pass/No Pass. Many courses are coded “SC” which means “Student Choice”. You will receive a letter grade for the course unless you inform the Admissions & Records Office that you choose to take the course P/NP
- Are there any courses I shouldn’t take Pass/No Pass
Yes. You shouldn’t take courses required for your major P/NP. Most four/five-year colleges & universities require that courses in your major be completed with a letter grade of “C” or better. Some Certificate programs require a specific grade point average, which means you must complete some courses for a letter grade. Check the course catalogue for details. It is often best to discuss this choice with a counsellor.
- Are there limits to the number of units I can take Pass/No Pass
Yes, in some cases.
Source: DVC College
Counselor