perturbation theory

by coupling angular momentum and spin, degeneracy can be avoided as the perturbation energies can be found to be slightly "off". i.e. while we both had the same marks for quantum, i failed the perturbation portion, while you failed the spin-spin coupling, thus our marks are not degenerate and the professor cannot accuse us of cheating. the other argument is that 36% is our usual mark in quantum anyway.