Understanding the US Grading System and GPA Marking - Leverage Edu (2024)

Grading system is a common evaluation matrix used in schools and universities based on which the overall performance can be calculated easily and effectively. Every country follows a specific kind of grading system. In this blog, we will explain the US grading system to you. Being one of the top-ranked study abroad countries, the US houses a bunch of top universities in the world which attract scores of international students every year. If you are planning to study in USA, then, understanding their grading system is a must for you! Read this blog to know everything about it.

Understanding the US Grading System and GPA Marking - Leverage Edu (1)

This Blog Includes:
  1. Types of US Grading System
  2. Types of GPA
  3. US Grading System: 4.0 GPA Scale
  4. Types of Honors
  5. Comparing US vs UK Grading System
  6. FAQs

Types of US Grading System

The US Grading System is considered top-notch because the country avails one of the best education systems in the world. The United States has two types of grading systems, they are numerical and the letter grades. Letter grades are those which students achieve in routine tests, For Example: A, B, C, etc. You can further convert the grade into a GPA. Another type of US grading system is a numerical one. It uniquely starts from 0 to 100. Let’s look at both of them.

The letter system starts from A to F and is accompanied by the percentage that demonstrates the number of questions a student has correctly answered. Tabulated below is a detailed version of the US grading system.

Grade A Grade B
Grade CGrade DGrade F

A is the top grade a student is given for a test or an assignment in a classroom. It ranges between 90% to 100%.

B is considered being among the good grades. It is simply a score which is typically above the average. It is given to students receiving80% and 89%.

C grade is one of those grades that is located between A and C and rests right in the score between 70% and 79%.

D is a below-average grade but is still a qualifying one. The percentile range of this grade comes anywhere between 59% and 69%.

F is a grade given to those failing to qualify the exams or tests. The score percentile is between 0 and just below 59%.

Being unique in its nature, the US grading system is further divided into various grade minus and grade plus. With this bifurcation it has become more intricate and helps students and teachers understand almost the exact score. Mentioned below is the next level bifurcation of the grading system of the US.

  • A: 93 -100
  • 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: 63-66
  • D(-): 60-62
  • F : Below 60

Grading Systems Around the World

Types of GPA

Now that we have discussed the grades and their representation in the US grading system, let us move on and study another important aspect of the US grading system, that is, GPA. The Grade Point Average (GPA) is majorly used across the country to describe the performance of the students. It is divided into three different categories depicting various levels of study. The three categories are-

  • Class GPA
  • Semester GPA
  • Cumulative GPA

Here’s how you can convert GPA to Percentage

US Grading System: 4.0 GPA Scale

You must have come across numerous top universities in US demanding a GPA on scale of 1 to 4. The GPA with 4.0 scale is predominantly used in various schools and colleges in the US as it is an essential part of the US grading system. In the GPA type, the numerical grades achieved by a student are first converted back to the letter grade and subsequently the letter grade is converted as per the determined 4.0 scale. To make it more understandable, the table below showcases how this type of grading scale works.

PercentileLetter Grade4.0 Scale
93 – 100A4.0
90 – 92A(-)3.7
87 – 89B(+)3.3
83 – 86B3.0
80 – 82B(-)2.7
77 – 79C(+)2.3
73 – 76C2.0
70 – 72C(-)1.7
67 – 69D(+)1.3
63 – 66D1.0
60 – 62D(-)0.7
<60F0.0

Also Read: Countries with Best Education System

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Types of Honors

Students qualifying any level of education as per the US gradings system, may be awarded with a complimentary honour as per their GPA. Predominantly, there are three types of honours. They can vary from one university to another and are based on other requirements as well. All of the types of honours are in the Latin language. Pertinently, all three honours are categorically reserved for a student who has achieved a higher level GPA.

  • Cum Laude – With Honor
  • Magna Cum Laude – With Great Honor
  • Suma Cum Laude – With Greatest Honor

CBSE Grading System

Comparing US vs UK Grading System

The American Grading System is always compared to the UK Grading system since both the countries are globally acclaimed for their education systems. Here are the key differences between US vs UK Grading system:

  • In the UK education system, children commonly start their schooling early at the age of four and there is a additional emphasis on academics right away from the start. On the other hand, US grading system puts lesser focus on examinations as students go through the major initial stages to coming to the conclusion of their secondary school when they graduate with a high school diploma.
  • While UK grading system encompasses GCSEs and A Levels to evaluate student’s knowledge, the US grading system does not have any such national exam and the assessments are commonly school-based.
  • After completing secondary education, the UK education system provides students with the choice of specialisations they want to pursue while the US education system offers degree programmes for them to further their higher studies.

Here’s a grade-wise comparison of the US vs the UK grading system:

US Grading SystemAgeUK Grading System
Preschool3-4Nursery
Preschool4-5Reception
Kindergarten5-6Year 1
Grade 16-7Year 2
Grade 27-8Year 3
Grade 38-9Year 4
Grade 49-10Year 5
Grade 510-11Year 6
Grade 611-12Year 7
Grade 712-13Year 8
Grade 813-14Year 9
Grade 914-15Year 10
Grade 1015-16Year 11
Grade 1116-17Year 12
Grade 1217-18Year 13

FAQs

What is the passing grade in the USA?

In the USA, you need a C grade, i.e. at least 70 percent.

What is considered a high GPA?

A 4.0 GPA is equivalent is considered the highest possible score.

What is a B grade in US education system?

B is considered being among the good grades, given to students receiving 80% and above.

This was all on the US grading system! Are you aspiring to join prestigious academic institutions in the US, but unable to go with the admission process? Let our experts at Leverage Edu facilitate your educational journey. Book your 30 minutes of e-counselling with the team and choose the best-matched career & higher education options, with one-touch access to personalised mentors and leading global universities.

Understanding the US Grading System and GPA Marking - Leverage Edu (2024)

FAQs

How is the grading system in the US? ›

In the United States, academic grading commonly takes on the form of five, six or seven letter grades. Traditionally, the grades are A+, A, A−, B+, B, B−, C+, C, C−, D+, D, D− and F, with A+ being the highest and F being lowest.

How is GPA calculated in the USA? ›

Calculate GPA
  • Multiply the point value of the letter grade (see values below) by the number of credit hours (credits, units). ...
  • Total the quality points for all terms.
  • Total the credit hours for all terms.
  • Divide the total quality points for all terms by the total credit hours for all terms.

What is the GPA scale in America? ›

GPA Scale
Letter GradeGrade PointsNumerical Grade
A4.094–96
A-3.790–93
B+3.387–89
B3.084–86
9 more rows

What is the grading system for GPA? ›

High schools often report GPA (grade point average) on a 4.0 scale. The top grade is an A, which equals 4.0. You calculate your overall GPA by averaging the scores of all your classes. This is a common scale used at most colleges, and many high schools also use it.

What is a 3.0 GPA in the USA? ›

It indicates that you've gotten grades between B+ and B- for the majority of your classes, giving you a percentile between 83% and 86%. A 3.0 GPA is considered a straight “B” average and makes you a competitive applicant for a number of colleges and universities.

What grade is a 75% in America? ›

Page Navigation
LETTER GRADEPERCENTAGE SCALEGPA
A100 – 934.0 – 3.5
B92 – 853.4 – 2.5
C84 – 752.4 – 1.5
D74 – 671.4 – 1.0
1 more row

What is a 4.0 GPA in USA? ›

A 4.0 GPA, or Grade Point Average, is equivalent to an A letter grade on a 4.0 GPA scale. This means it is equivalent to 93-95%. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 4.0 is far above average. At many schools, a 4.0 is the absolute highest GPA you can earn.

What is the highest GPA in USA? ›

GPA is calculated on a scale between 0 and 4, so 4 is the highest GPA you can achieve in most classes.. However, if you take some advanced level classes you may be able to achieve a GPA of 5.

What is a 5.0 GPA in USA? ›

A 5.0 generally indicates that a student took only 5.0-scale classes and earned only A's (and/or A+'s). Normally, all perfect straight-A grades result in a 4.0; with weighted classes, though, perfect straight-A grades could result in a 5.0 (or even higher). Sounds impressive, doesn't it?

How do you convert GPA to us? ›

How is the GPA calculated? 1) First, the grades are converted to the U.S. equivalent for countries other than the U.S. 3) The points for each class are multiplied by the number of credits or hours for that class, added together, and divided by the total number of credits or hours.

Why is there no e in the grading system? ›

By the 1930's letter-based grading was used throughout the American education system. Unfortunately, many students and parents assumed E stood for “Excellent”. To avoid confusion, E was dropped in favor of the dreaded F, a clear indication of failure.

How to calculate overall GPA? ›

To calculate your GPA, divide the total number of grade points earned by the total number of letter graded units undertaken. For each unit of credit the following grade points are earned: A+ = 4. A = 4.

How does the GPA system work? ›

Calculate your total grade points achieved by adding together the individual grade points. Calculate your GPA by dividing your total grade points achieved by the total credits attempted.

Does your GPA ever reset? ›

Your GPA does indeed reset when you start college. Your high school GPA is separate from your college GPA, and they are not combined or influenced by each other.

Is 70 a passing grade in the US? ›

Grades at or above seventy percent (70%) are considered passing.

How do grade levels work in America? ›

Generally, there are three stages: elementary school (grades K/1–2/3/4/5/6), intermediate school (3/4–5/6), middle school / junior high school (grades 5/6/7–8/9), and high school / senior high school (grades 9/10–12).

What is a 60% grade in America? ›

Calculating Your GPA
PercentageLetter GradeGrade Points
67 – 69.9 PercentD+1.3
64 – 66.9 PercentD1.0
60 – 63.9 PercentD-0.7
0 – 59.9 PercentF0.0
8 more rows

What is the grading system in USA A+? ›

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.

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