FAQ page about 2019-2020 Spring Semester will be updated periodically on the basis of questions about the topic.

Please be sure to carefully review the details in the link by clicking here before submitting your questions about the topic.

Thank you.

 

Last Updated: 13 JULY 2020

 

1. When can I complete the conversion of credit courses that I enrolled in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester to a "Pass/Fail" grade?

Our students can make their Pass/Fail grade preferences in any of the dates they choose between the periods specified in the academic calendar: 13 - 17 JULY 2020 or 06 - 09 AUG 2020 by evaluating their success in the courses they have taken.

 

There is no restriction about which students should make the choice in which time period. However, no transactions/changes/preferences will be made for the grade after the preference is stated.

 

You can find the announcement here about how to choose "Pass/Fail" on the system.

 

2. Can I opt for ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ option outside of the time specified?

No transactions / changes / preferences will be made regarding grading option except for the specified periods.

 

3. How should I decide on my preference of grading (Letter Grade or Pass / Fail)?

Students will be able to see the letter grade, Grade Point Average (GPA), Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) and Academic Standing of the courses they have registered via the system before choosing an option. These preferences of the students, who have to make a choice by taking their academic status into consideration before making grading preferences, are at their own risk.

 

4. Which courses that I have registered in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester can I switch into the "Pass / Fail" grade?

The preference to switch the grades to “Pass / Fail” grade is valid only for credit courses registered in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. In the event of opting for “Pass / Fail” option, the “Pass / Fail” grading option will be valid for all credit courses registered in the current semester.

 

5. What happens if I opt for ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ option for all the credit courses that I have registered? Is my Grade point Average (GPA) calculated as 0.0? In this case, how will my Academic Standing be evaluated?

In this case, the letter grade of the credit courses taken will not be reported in the transcripts, and Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) will not be calculated for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. The grades of all credit courses will be reported as ‘‘Pass / Fail’’.  No new evaluation of Academic Standing will be done, Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) and Academic Standing of the students’ the latest academic semester will continue to be valid.

 

6. My Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) is below 2.00 for the first time in my latest academic year. Will my Academic Standing be evaluated as ‘‘Probation’’  if I opt for ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grading option?

As there will be no new evaluation of Academic Standing regarding our students opting for ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ option in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) is considered as not going down below 2.00 for the second time and Academic Standing of the students who have the beforementioned conditions will not be evaluated as ‘‘Probation’’.

 

7. My Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) is below 2.00 for the first time in my latest academic year. If I choose to keep my grades as letter grade, how will my Academic Standing be evaluated?

Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) will be calculated for the students choosing to keep their grades as letter grade in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester and Academic Standing will be evaluated. Therefore, in the event that  Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) is below 2.00 for the second time in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, Academic Standing of the students will be evaluated as ‘‘Probation’’.

 

8. This semester, I am repeating a course I took in a previous semester (or I have replaced a course I took in previous semesters) Can I choose the "Pass/Fail" option? If I choose the "Pass/Fail" grade, will the grade of the course I replaced continue to be included in my average?

If the “Pass/Fail” option is used in the courses that were taken in a previous semester and repeated in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester (or a course taken to replace another taken in previous semesters), the assessment of the course” in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester will be made as “Pass/Fail. In this case, the repeated or replaced course will be indicated in the transcript with the sign "*" in the relevant semester. Since the Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) will not be calculated after the “Pass/Fail” preference, the GPA without calculating the letter grade of the course previously taken will be included in the transcript as an information note.

 

Students who are expected to graduate and use the "Pass/Fail" option will graduate with this information note in their transcripts as Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA).

 

Students who continue their education and use the "Pass/Fail" option will have this information note in their transcripts from the time of their preference until the announcement of the letter grades of the next semester.

 

9. Will ‘’Pass / Fail’’ grades be included in the total of  graduation and ECTS credits?

Courses with a "Pass" grade will be considered successful and the credits of these courses will be deducted from the total credits and ECTS credits required for graduation.

 

10. Can I repeat the course/courses with ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grade in the next semester, which grade will be valid if I repeat? 

In the forthcoming periods, it is possible to repeat a course with ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grade in the 2019-2020 Spring semester (or a course that will be taken as a substitute for this course in line with the regulations) due to failure or to increase the grade.  In this case, if a letter grade is taken from the course, the grade will be included in the calculation of the Average Grade Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) in the following periods.

 

11. I am in my last semester before graduation, can I graduate by choosing “Pass/Fail”?

For Undergraduate and Undergraduate program students with graduation status to use the 2019-2020 Spring Semester course evaluation preferences as Pass/Fail, their Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) of the 2019-2020 Fall Semester must be at least 2.00.

 

12. Can I opt for ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grading option for the course that I will take the makeup exam? 

 

a. I will take the makeup exam for the course that I have not taken in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester and received a letter grade in the previous academic semesters.

The grade of the related course, which will be attained in the make-up exam, will also be evaluated as a letter grade and the choice of "Pass / Fail" will not be available.

 

b. In the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, I will take the make-up exam for a course I have not taken as a substitute. 

i. I have opted for ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grading option for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester and I will take the makeup exam for a course that I have taken this semester.

The grade of the related course, which will be attained in the make-up exam, will also be evaluated as ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ and the choice of letter grade will not be available.

 

ii. I have opted for letter grade option for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester and I will take the makeup exam for a course that I have taken this semester.

The grade of the related course, which will be attained in the make-up exam, will also be evaluated as a letter grade and the choice of "Pass / Fail" will not be available.

 

c. I repeated a course which I received a letter grade in the previous academic semesters in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester (or I took the course as a substitution for a course I took in previous semesters) and I will take the make-up exam for this course.

In this case, it is highly important which grading option the student chose for the 2019-2020 Spring Term. According to this preference, the answers given in items i. and ii. of item b will be valid.

 

13. I am in the term of graduation, should I consider the possibility of taking an makeup exam while I am opting for ‘‘Letter Grade’’ or ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grading option for my courses in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester?

The students in this situation should decide on their grading option by taking the answers given for  the question 12 into consideration.

The decision made regarding grading option is under the responsibility of the student.

 

14. If the course that I have opted for ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ option is a prerequisite course, how will it be evaluated?  

If a "Pass" grade is taken from any prerequisite course, the prerequisite for the related course will be accepted. “Fail” grade will not meet the prerequisite.

 

15. Can I apply for admission to Undergraduate Transfer, Double Major Undergraduate Program and Minor Program if I opt for ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grading option?

No changes were made in the application requirements regarding Undergraduate Transfer, Double Major Undergraduate Program and Minor Program. When ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grading option is opted for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, this does not constitute an obstacle for you to apply.

 

16. If I transfer to a different department through undergraduate transfer, will my ‘‘Pass’’ grade valid for adjustment?

The courses with a “Pass” grade in the adjustments within the university will be evaluated as successful courses in the transferred program.

 

17. I have opted for ‘‘Pass/ Fail’’ grading option for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. Which grading systems will be valid for the courses that I have attained ‘‘Fail’’ grade in the next semester?

As this procedure is unique to the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, related courses will be evaluated as a letter grade when they are repeated in the following semesters.

 

18. Can I switch my ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ grading preference for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester into a letter grade in the following semesters?

As no transactions / changes / preferences will be made after choosing grading option, in the event that ‘‘Pass / Fail’’ option is preferred, the grading of the related courses cannot be switched to a letter grade in any circumstances. Students  should make their choice by being aware of this situation.

 

19. Will there be any specific information for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester in the transcripts?

A statement that the 2019-2020 Spring Semester is the COVID-19 pandemic period will be included in all students’ transcripts.

 

20. If I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester and my grade point averages are not calculated, will my scholarships be cancelled?

If the "Pass / Fail" grading option is preferred for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, the Academic Standing of the student will continue as it was in the most recent academic semester, as no Academic Standing assessment will be made. However, the criteria regarding the continuation of the scholarships provided to our students are determined by the relevant institutions and organizations. In order to get detailed information about the continuation criteria for the scholarships, it is necessary to contact the relevant institutions and organizations.

21. I will graduate at the end of the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, if I opt for the “Pass / Fail” grading option for my grade evaluation, will my ranking in the Department / Faculty / University be affected?

Students who prefer the “Pass / Fail” grading option for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester will not be included in the assessment while determining the Department / Faculty / University ranking.

The degrees determined by the university are for the ones who rank first in the department, the first in the Faculty and the first, the second and the third in the University.

22. I want most of the courses I enrolled in during the 2019-2020 Spring Semester to be counted for my average, but there are course(s) that I think I will fail for various reasons. What can I do?

For the courses you enrolled in during the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, the right to drop the course has been granted until 07 August 2020, regardless of the number of courses (for details see https://oidb.metu.edu.tr/en/duyuru/deadline-extension-announcement-2019-2020-spring-semester-freezing-registration-and-drop). As your “Pass / Fail” grade or letter grade preference for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester will be applied to all your credit courses, you can also consider the option to deregister the lesson(s) when choosing an option.

 

23. I think that I will be unsuccessful in all my registered courses in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. What can I do?

For the courses that you registered for in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, the right to freeze registration is granted without taking that time period into account until 07 August 2020 (for details, see https://oidb.metu.edu.tr/en/duyuru/deadline-extension-announcement-2019-2020-spring-semester-freezing-registration-and-drop). You may also consider this option while deciding on your preference.

 

24. I am registered in the Double Major / Minor Program along with the Major program in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. Can I opt for a different grade evaluation (Letter Grade or "Pass / Fail" Grade) for each?

If there is a common course between the Double Major / Minor program and the Major program in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, a single grade application should be preferred.

If there is no common course between the Double Major / Minor program and the Major program in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, a separate grade application may be preferred for each program.

 

25. When I opt for the “Pass/Fail” grading option for the grade assessment of a course I have taken as a special student in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, can I have this course counted later?

The courses with a "Pass" grade in our university will be evaluated as successful courses in the program.

Course counting procedures will be evaluated by the relevant Department, Management and University Boards.

 

26. I am studying at a university abroad as part of the student exchange program Erasmus / Exchange etc. in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. How will my courses be evaluated at METU when I return?

According to the grading system of the university where you are studying (including the “Pass / Fail” grading option if it is available), the grade equivalents of the courses that you successfully completed are counted as non-credit exemption (EX) and your Academic Standing will be evaluated as “Satisfactory” by the Erasmus coordination in your department as this has been the ongoing practice.

 

27. As part of the student exchange program Erasmus / Exchange etc. I studied at a university abroad in the 2019-2020 Fall Semester and I had my course grades counted. If I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, how will my situation be evaluated?

Your Academic Standing at the end of the 2019-2020 Fall Semester will continue. 

 

28. I am studying as an international student at METU with the student exchange program Erasmus / Exchange etc. in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. Can I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option?

If you opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option, you should contact your university about the criteria regarding the counting of courses.

 

29. I am a postgraduate program student in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester and I am at the thesis stage. Can I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option?

As credit courses taken during the thesis stage are not included in the cumulative grade point average, they are regarded as NI (Not Included). For this reason, students who are at the thesis stage cannot opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option.

 

30. I am a postgraduate Scientific Preparation student in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. If I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option this semester, how will the NI status courses I have taken to be counted in the main program appear?

In the Spring Semester of 2019-2020, if the postgraduate Scientific Preparation students opt for the “Pass / Fail” grading option, both Scientific Preparation courses and the courses taken in NI status will be graded with a “Pass / Fail” grade. Courses in NI status with a "Pass" grade will be considered as successfully completed courses. Course counting procedures for these courses will be evaluated by our relevant Departments and Institute Boards.

 

31. If I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option in the Spring Semester of 2019-2020, can my non-credit courses also be graded as “Pass" and "Fail"?

The "Pass / Fail" preference is only for credit courses; there will be no change in the grading of non-credit courses.

 

32. I passed the PhD Qualifying Exam as conditionally successful. Can I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grading option for the NI status course that I have to take?

There is a requirement to take the required courses after the PhD Qualifying Exam as NI and to pass with at least a BB grade. Therefore, students in this situation cannot opt for "Pass / Fail" grading option.

 

33. During the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, in the program I am registered in, the courses I completed previously at METU were accepted for transfer as letter grades. If I choose the "Pass/Fail" grade this semester, will these courses’ letter grades change to a "Pass/Fail" grade? 

Since the courses that are given a letter grade are courses taken before, these courses remain as letter graded and do not change to the "Pass/Fail" grade. For students who prefer the "Pass/Fail" grade, the calculation of letter grades of these courses to the Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) will be administered and seen at the end of the next semester in which the letter grades will be taken into account.

 

34. The 2019-2020 Spring Semester is the last semester of the course phase of my graduate program; however, I got a U grade for the second time from the thesis course. If I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grade, can I save my Academic Standing from being "Dismissed"?

No, you can opt for the “Pass / Fail” grading option only for credit courses. Students who attain a U grade 2 times in a row or 3 times intermittently from the thesis course will be “Dismissed” due to their failure.

 

35. The 2019-2020 Spring Semester is the last semester of the course phase of my graduate program; however, I could not get an S grade from the non-credit seminar course. If I opt for the "Pass / Fail" grade, can I save my Academic Standing from being "Dismissed"?

No, you can opt for the “Pass / Fail” grading option only for credit courses. Students who do not receive an S grade from the non-credit seminar course until the final semester of the course phase will be “Dismissed” due to their failure.

 

36. I am taking the course IS100. If I prefer the "Pass / Fail" grading option for the semester, will the grade for this course be "Pass / Fail" as well?

No, the grading of non-credit courses, which were previously done as S / U / P, continues with no change. "Pass / Fail" grading option can be applied only for credit courses.

 

37. If I opt for the “Pass / Fail” grade in 2019-2020 Spring Semester, will I be able to get a Certificate of Honor / High Honor?

If the “Pass / Fail” grade is preferred, the Honor / High Honor Certificate will not be received as the Semester Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) will not be calculated and a new Academic Standing will not be assessed for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester.

 

38. I am a SUNY International Joint Program student and I am continuing my education at the other university in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester. If the other university gives my semester grades as "Pass / Fail" grades, will my grades be accepted at METU?

"Pass / Fail" grades in SUNY Programs will be accepted as "Pass / Fail" grades since this grading option is applicable in METU.

39. Until what date can I drop the course which I could not follow with distance education in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester?

During the 2019-2020 Spring Semester, requests to drop a course can be submitted to the Department Administration until 07 August 2020.

 

40. Until what date can I do the Registration Freezing process without counting from the maximum duration for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester?

Registration Freezing requests can be submitted to the Department Heads until 07 August 2020, without counting from the maximum duration in the 2019-2020 Spring Semester.

 

41. I am in the last semester of the course phase in a graduate program. Can I make a “Pass/Fail” preference?

For the Graduate Program students who are in the last semester of the course phase, to use the 2019-2020 Spring Semester course evaluation preferences as "Pass/Fail", the Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) of 2019-2020 Fall Semester must be at least 3.00.

 

42. I am in the graduation semester. My Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) is below 2.00 at the end of the 2019-2020 Fall Semester. Can I choose the "Pass/Fail" grade system for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester?

Students whose Cumulative Grade Point Average (Cum. GPA) is below 2.00 at the end of 2019-2020 Fall Semester cannot choose the "Pass/Fail" grade system for the 2019-2020 Spring Semester.