Grade Scale (2024)

FAQs

What is the scale for grades? ›

What are letter grades and how do they convert into percentages? Common examples of grade conversion are: A+ (97–100), A (93–96), A- (90–92), B+ (87–89), B (83–86), B- (80–82), C+ (77–79), C (73–76), C- (70–72), D+ (67–69), D (65–66), D- (below 65).

A - is the highest grade you can receive on an assignment, and it's between 90% and 100% B - is still a pretty good grade! This is an above-average score, between 80% and 89% C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle.

A+, A, A- indicates excellent performance. B+, B, B- indicates good performance. C+, C, C- indicates satisfactory performance. D+, D, D- indicates less than satisfactory performance.

A 3.0 GPA implies performing well in all classes, and that's a great place to start the college application process. Admissions officers from many schools will see that GPA and recognize that it meets their criteria for enrollment. Keep practicing the study habits that led to a 3.0 GPA in the first place.

The passing grade typically ranges from D (usually 50-59%) to higher, depending on the course and institution. Failing a course means you do not receive credit for it and may need to retake it to progress in your program.

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.

Grades below a “C” (80%) are considered a failing grade. Grades of less than a “C” (80%) will be assigned in order to assist in Financial Aid processes, but still considered as failing in the program.

A 98 GPA is typically an unweighted score, suggesting you've earned near-perfect grades in your classes. When translated to the 4.0 scale used by most colleges, your GPA would likely be a 4.0, assuming that a 93 to 100 scale equates to an 'A' at your school.

Why is there no E grade? ›

1930: The letter E disappears from the grading scale

That said, most colleges had stopped using this letter to grade students by the year 1930. According to numerous sources, colleges stopped using E as part of the grading scale because of concern over students thinking that the letter grade stood for excellent.

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.

For example, I use ≥90.00 as the transition from a B+ to an A-. This means that if your numerical grade is 89.9, I map it to a B+ and not an A-.

Emergency Pass (PE)

When the PE grade scheme is activated, D+ or D grades will automatically change to PE for undergraduate students, and E will be automatically changed to NP. PE and NP marks do not impact your GPA, but you will still earn credit hours for PE marks (no credit hours are earned for NP).

D is the lowest grade for which credit is given in any undergraduate college and means that, although in the judgment of the instructor credit should be allowed for the course, a degree will not be conferred upon a student whose work is all of that level.

A simple method for curving grades is to add the same amount of points to each student's score. A common method: Find the difference between the highest grade in the class and the highest possible score and add that many points. If the highest percentage grade in the class was 88%, the difference is 12%.

Thus, an A is a 95, halfway between 90 and 100.

D – Distinction

This grade is typically allotted to students who receive between 75% and 84%. It means that you have fulfilled the learning requirements and have conveyed a high-level understanding of the course materials.