Law Schools

The Cutthroat Nature Of Law School Means Pass/Fail Grades Aren't Likely To Last Past The Pandemic

COVID-19 isn't big enough to change law school grades permanently.

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The COVID-19 pandemic brought a ton of changes to legal academia. One of the most notable has been the widespread adoption of pass/fail grading. And it makes a ton of sense; moving the spring 2020 semester online was hastily done — amid a pandemic, no less — and reducing the stress of grades made a lot of sense even as those decisions were often surrounded in controversy.

Now Kaplan Test Prep has released the results of a survey of nearly 200 recent law school graduates — the Class of 2020 — to see what those directly impacted by the grading changes think about it. The survey reveals decidedly split opinions: 48 percent say they support the change, while 41 percent say they oppose it, with the balance unsure.

As Tammi Rice, vice president of Kaplan’s bar prep programs, noted, given the emerging health crisis, the change in grading policies made sense:

“These are unparalleled times for everyone and legal education certainly isn’t immune from changes that were once unthinkable just six months ago. It’s quite understandable that law schools have moved to pass/fail grading on a temporary basis since students are already stressed out enough thinking about how to stay healthy, securing a job, and prepare for the bar exam. Combining that with the naturally hyper competitive nature of law school could add to that stress, adversely affecting students’ mental health. Students’ physical and emotional well-being must always take priority, perhaps now more than ever.”

But that doesn’t mean future law students should expect pass/fail to be the new normal in law school. The survey also found clear disapproval for pass/fail as a permanent measure. A mere 25 percent support pass/fail grading at law schools to be permanent, and 63 percent are firmly against it.

And Rice says it’s law students’ inherently competitive nature that makes them hesitant to go all in on pass/fail:

“It’s highly unlikely pass/fail grading will be maintained once the pandemic subsides. Students who are looking to work for top law firms or secure prestigious internships know that high grades help differentiate them from others vying for those same positions and most are loath to give that up. It’s important to note that the pandemic is still a long way from being over and more significant changes to legal education, which already includes online learning, are likely on the way. Students should continue to make their voices heard and also adapt.”

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So once this pandemic ends, expect law school grading to go back to normal.

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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