Scene to read · Resilience, Communication
Comments but no grade
You are a student who just received a portfolio with written comments and no grade.
In a corridor outside a seminar room, Alba, 44, the teaching assistant, has handed back your portfolio with mixed comments. Alaric, 31, your classmate, is beside you; another classmate, Kit, previously suggested asking directly whether you are at risk of failing. Grades arrive in two weeks, and you have limited study time to divide between portfolio revisions and other coursework.
The scene
Alba: Grades arrive in two weeks; some parts worked, others need more revision.
Alaric: You should ask whether you're at risk, before spending weeks revising blindly.
Alba: I can't give you an early result; everyone's waiting for their grades.
Alaric: Could you at least ask which weaknesses need attention before you start?
The two questions
- 1How would you respond to Alba and Alaric, and decide what to work on while you wait?
- 2Tell us about a time you had to keep working without knowing how you were being judged. How did you handle the uncertainty?
What raters look for
- Resilience
- Recovers from setbacks, manages stress constructively, and learns from failure.
- Communication
- Listens first, speaks clearly and respectfully, and adapts the message to the listener.
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
