Scene to read · Motivation, Empathy
Withdraw by Friday
You are a community college student in a study group with two classmates.
In the tutoring center, Irene, 54, who returned to school this year, has just gotten back a statistics midterm with a failing grade. Friday is the last day to withdraw without the grade counting. Phong, 21, is studying with you both. The department posts its old exams online.
The scene
Irene: Forty-one percent, after studying every night. Maybe I'm just too old for this.
Phong: It's not age. Memorize the old exams, they repeat. I got a B.
Irene: I came back to understand it. I can still withdraw by Friday.
Phong: And throw away a semester's fees? That's crazy.
Irene: What do you think I should do?
The two questions
- 1What would you say to Irene?
- 2Describe a time one bad result made you doubt whether you belonged somewhere. What kept you going?
What raters look for
- Motivation
- Shows genuine, sustained drive and a clear reason for choices, including when work is unglamorous.
- Empathy
- Recognizes what others feel and need, and lets that shape the response without losing judgment.
Answer scenarios like this on the real timers
Answer both questions on the clock, and get each one scored 1–9 the way raters score. Your first set is free, no card.
Practice free
