Grading System | Penn State Office of the University Registrar (2024)

FAQs

Is the grading system accurate? ›

Today, as schools combat post-pandemic learning gaps, it's become even clearer that traditional grades are not precise communicators of learning. In some cases, this leads parents to believe their kids are performing at grade level, when in reality they're falling behind.

Grading Scale

A = 95 to 100, A- = 90 to 94.99, B+ = 87 to 89.99, B = 83 to 86.99 B- = 80 to 82.99, C+ = 77 to 79.99, C = 70 to 76.99. D = 60 to 69.99, F = 59.99 and below.

The meaning of each grade is as follows: A, A–, excellent; B+, B, and B–, good; C+ and C, competent; C–, continuation competency (the student has achieved the level of proficiency needed for the course to satisfy prerequisite requirements); D+, D, and D–, passing, but performance is not adequate to take any subsequent ...

Numerical and letter grades

However, there are some schools that consider a C the lowest passing grade, so the general standard is that anything below a 60% or 70% is failing, depending on the grading scale. In college and universities, a D is considered to be an unsatisfactory passing grade.

This is an above-average score, between 80% and 89% C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle. C is anywhere between 70% and 79% D - this is still a passing grade, and it's between 59% and 69%

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).

The normal grading range is from 55 to 100. The number grades correspond to letter grades as reflected in the chart below. The minimum passing grade is 70 (C). Any grades between 55 and 69 (D and F) are considered failing grades for which unit credit is not earned.

A letter grade of a D is technically considered passing because it not a failure. A D is any percentage between 60-69%, whereas a failure occurs below 60%. Even though a D is a passing grade, it's barely passing. As such, it is not looked at favorably.

Is a 2.8 GPA Good? Because a 2.8 is two-tenths of a point from a B average, a 2.8 GPA indicates several above-average grades and that your performance on homework and exams was up to par. With a 2.8 GPA, several colleges will consider your application, so you have a decent number of options to choose from.

Is a 3.0 GPA good? ›

The average high school GPA is around 3.0, or a B average. This also happens to be the minimum requirement for many college scholarships, though a 3.5 or higher is generally preferable. GPA plays a key role in college admissions.

The grade Z (grade) is used to indicate both absence from the final examination and incomplete course requirements. The instructor calculates the parenthetical grade using an F (or zero score) for the final examination and either an F (or zero score) for incomplete coursework.

To sum up, occasional B's in college aren't the end of the world. It's crucial to strike a balance between academics and personal growth, and focusing on other aspects like internships, research, or extracurricular activities will make you a well-rounded candidate for future opportunities.

An S/U grade stands for satisfactory or unsatisfactory. A grade of S (satisfactory) shall be equivalent to grades A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and C-. A grade of U (unsatisfactory) shall be equivalent to grades D+, D, D-, or F.

Most high school students know that a D in an academic class is a passing grade. That means they get 5 credits towards high school graduation and the course has satisfied the particular category (English, math, etc.).

But they're notoriously subjective. The state Education Code gives teachers the authority to issue grades, but it doesn't specify how those grades should be determined. Some teachers grade on a curve, with only a set number of students earning A's or B's, while others are more lax.

B+ (75-79%): Work of this standard is competent and methodical, indicating a clear understanding of the topic and an ability to critically engage with the debates in the field of inquiry.

Good grades signal an ability to learn, and that is one of many qualities for which colleges and employers are looking. However, grades are not the only sign, and in fact once grades are deemed good enough, many factors will trump them in determining success.

Grades matter for college

Even for intended students, grades don't determine your worth, but they do matter. Grades help measure your progress toward your full potential. That motivation can set students on the path to grading success, even if their postsecondary goals don't involve academics.