I could maybe see their point if it was just a really hard exam and only 10% happen to be able to pass it. But artificially restricting to 10% of the class is r

I could maybe see their point if it was just a really hard exam and only 10% happen to be able to pass it. But artificially restricting to 10% of the class is ridiculous. The goal should be to pass students that have the requisite knowledge, whatever the prof decides that should be. Judging only relative to peers is a lazy way for the prof to not have to make that distinction. It also creates a toxic environment.