Is a condoned fail a pass?
Asked by: Ila Gusikowski | Last update: April 13, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (31 votes)
A condoned fail is not technically a pass, but it allows you to receive the credits and progress as if you had passed, preventing you from needing to retake the module, provided you meet strict criteria like having a strong overall average and the failed module not being a core subject. Essentially, the exam board "condones" (overlooks) the failure to help you complete your course or degree.
What does a condoned fail mean?
Some of your modules may allow for condonement (also known as a condoned fail). This means you might be awarded a qualification even if you have a small amount of failure, as long as your overall performance is of a good standard. You will not need to be reassessed if you meet the condonement criteria.
What does condonable mean in university?
If a module is condonable it means that you can fail it and still continue to the next level. Some are non- condonable, if a module is non-condonable then you MUST pass it.
Is D grade a pass or fail?
A D grade is generally considered a passing grade, earning course credit, but it's often an unsatisfactory one that won't fulfill prerequisites or major requirements at colleges, where a C or better is usually needed for degree progress, potentially affecting GPA and future opportunities. While you get credit, a D can be "barely passing" and may not be enough for advanced courses, transfer, or graduate school, making it functionally close to a fail in many academic contexts, notes Wikipedia.
Will one D hurt my GPA?
One "D" grade can slightly lower your GPA, but it usually won't "ruin" it, especially if you have a strong overall record, as colleges look at the big picture and context, but it might impact major requirements or scholarships, so understanding your university's retake policies and talking to an advisor are key steps.
When to use Pass/Fail in College
Is 40% a pass or fail?
In the UK a pass mark at university is typically 40% (a third, the lowest degree grade.) Anything below this is usually a fail.
What does "pass on condone" mean?
Condonement is a measure that allows credit to be awarded for failed module(s). It can only be used to mitigate extenuating circumstances and the decision to condone any failed modules is made by the Board of Examiners.
What does it mean if something is condoned?
To condone something means to overlook, forgive, or give tacit approval to behavior or actions that are considered wrong, objectionable, or illegal, essentially treating them as acceptable or harmless without criticism, even if one doesn't actively encourage them. It implies a failure to take action or express disapproval, making it seem like the action is permissible, like "turning a blind eye" or "allowing it to continue".
What happens if you don't meet the grades for a conditional offer?
But if you don't get those grades then the university doesn't have to accept you, although they might if you only just missed out. Sometimes you'll need to get a certain grade in a particular subject and this is usually if you're planning to study the same subject (or a related one) at university.
Is C still passing in college?
Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade. It's important to note that this minimum or lowest passing grade standard can significantly vary depending on the institution or major. For instance, some universities may require a "C" or better to pass.
What is the lowest passing grade in college?
You'll usually need to receive a letter grade between A and D to pass a class, often the numerical equivalent of 65 percent or higher.
Is pass fail better than C?
A grade of C or better is required to earn a Passed; a C- or below will earn a Not Passed grade. A grade of C- may satisfy many requirements (e.g., General Education, elective) but a Not Passed grade will not earn any credit or satisfy requirements.
What is the lowest pass for a degree?
Lower Second-Class Honours (50-60%): a 2.2 or two-two is the lower level of the second class degree. Third-Class Honours (40-50%): known as a 'third' or 3rd, this degree is the lowest honours degree achievable.
What is the hardest year of university?
In many majors, junior year tends to be the hardest year of college because you're getting into advanced, specialized courses. Majors with heavy lab work, research requirements, or intensive projects, like engineering or the sciences, can make junior year particularly demanding.
Is it better to withdraw or fail?
It's generally better to withdraw (W) from a class than to fail (F) because a "W" doesn't hurt your GPA, while an "F" significantly lowers it, but withdrawing can have drawbacks like financial aid implications or delaying graduation, so always check your school's policy and talk to an advisor first. A couple of withdrawals are usually fine and show up as a neutral mark, but frequent withdrawals can signal a problem with course load.
Is condone positive or negative?
Condoning is generally seen as negative because it means accepting or overlooking something bad or wrong (like bad behavior or an offense) without protest, implying a tolerance for it, even if you don't fully agree; you often hear it used in the negative, as in "I do not condone violence," to emphasize disapproval. While its definition includes "forgive" or "approve," its common usage implies a moral or ethical failing being tolerated, giving it a decidedly negative connotation in most contexts.
What is to be condoned?
Condone means to forgive, overlook, or pardon another person's wrong or illegal action, which makes it appear as if the action is acceptable to the person/entity condoning it.
Does condone mean to approve?
Britannica Dictionary definition of CONDONE. [+ object] : to forgive or approve (something that is considered wrong) : to allow (something that is considered wrong) to continue.
What is a condoned failure?
However, the relevant Examination Board may disregard failure in up to 30 credits where you have achieved a module mark of 40-49.9 in each of the failed modules and your overall average is 50.0 or greater. This is known as condoned failure.
What does it mean to be condoned in exam?
condoned; condoning. Synonyms of condone. transitive verb. : to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless.
What does condoned mean in education?
Condoned means passing with adjustment of marks .. Progressed is going to the next grade due to number of phase in the grade .. If you have failed a grade before then you still don't meet requirements then you are progressed to the next grade.. Promoted means you have passed by meeting the requirements..
Is 70% C or D?
A 70% is usually a C- (C minus) in many US grading systems, often falling in the 70-72% range, but it can sometimes be just a C, especially if the scale starts C at 70%, or even a low D in some specific, stricter scales, so always check your course syllabus for the exact scale.
Is a 3.0 GPA good in university?
Each grade is weighted to a specific number of points so that the sum total makes up your grade point average (GPA), reflecting your overall academic performance. A good college GPA on a standard 4.0 scale can fall between 3.0 and 4.0—or between a B and the highest GPA, an A+.
What grades show on your transcript?
While report cards often display only your final or midterm grades for one particular semester, transcripts document your final grades in every class you take throughout each year as well as your cumulative GPA. They also give details about the actual courses you take.