{"id":13068,"date":"2024-03-01T13:19:53","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T07:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/?p=13068"},"modified":"2025-05-21T17:09:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T11:39:00","slug":"us-grading-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/us-grading-system\/","title":{"rendered":"US Grading System 2024: Everything You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/us-grading-system\/#What_are_the_kinds_of_grade_systems_in_the_US\" >What are the kinds of grade systems in the US?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/us-grading-system\/#How_do_you_calculate_the_American_grade_point_average\" >How do you calculate the American grade point average?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/us-grading-system\/#What_are_the_types_of_GPA\" >What are the types of GPA?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/us-grading-system\/#What_are_the_types_of_GPA_honors\" >What are the types of GPA honors?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/admission-guide\/us-grading-system\/#What_are_the_degree_classifications_in_the_US\" >What are the degree classifications in the US?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>As one of the hot spot study destinations in the world for international students, the US is in more demand than ever! It offers more than just top-class institutions, but diverse, multicultural experiences and job opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you make a move on those applications to the universities in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/country\/united-states\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>US<\/strong><\/a>, understanding the new grading system of the US can help ease the application process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since its inception, it has always been made to be as simple as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was set up as a system and standardized method of evaluating the overall performances of students by universities as an application process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While most countries have their grading system, the US grading system percentage is based on GPA (Grade Point Average) with 4\u00a0 being the highest point.\u00a0 This American grading system is followed by every educational institution in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/country\/united-states?utm_source=CustomBanner&#038;utm_medium=Website&#038;utm_campaign=Blog\" class=\"ul_banner_link\">\n  <div class=\"ul_banner ul_scholar_banner\">\n    <div class=\"ul_banner_text_section\">\n      <p class=\"ul_banner_heading\">Your US university journey starts with the right place to live.<\/p>\n      <p class=\"ul_banner_paragraph\">Discover top student accommodations across the United States.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"button w-button unilivingbutton\">Book Now<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_kinds_of_grade_systems_in_the_US\"><\/span><strong>What are the kinds of grade systems in the US?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the US, there are two types of grading systems which are letter grades and GPA. They are related and the GPA is derived from the letter grades.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Letter Grades: <\/strong>It\u2019s a very simple grading system based only on grades from A to F and includes a percentage. <strong>Grade A <\/strong>represents excellence while <strong>Grade F <\/strong>is the lowest and means fail grade.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GPA (Grade Point Average): <\/strong>GPA definition determines the strength of your candidature and eligibility for financial aid and choice to enroll in your desired institution.&nbsp; The highest US grading point is 4 while the lowest grade is 0.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In the table below, the letter grade is derived from the numerical percentage, and results in the grading point scale.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Percentile&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Letter Grade<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Grade Point Scale<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">97-100<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">A+<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4.33 or 4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">93-96<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">A<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4.0&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">90-92<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">A\u2013<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3.7&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">87-89<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">B+<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3.3&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">83-86&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">B<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3.0&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">80-82&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">C+<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">2.7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">77-79<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">C<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">2.3&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">73-76&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">C<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">2.0&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">70-72&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">C\u2013<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1.7&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">67-69<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">D+<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1.3&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">63-66<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">D<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1.0&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">60-62 0<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">D\u2013<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">.7&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">less than 60<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">F<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">0.0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_calculate_the_American_grade_point_average\"><\/span><strong>How do you calculate the American grade point average?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simple Average GPA<\/strong> = total score in all courses\/number of courses will give you an average performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Subject&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Grade&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Grade Point<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Maths<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">B<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Chemistry&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">A<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Literature<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">A<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Algebra<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">B<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>GPA = <\/strong>(3+4+4+3)=14 \/ 4(number if courses) = 3.5&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Weighted GPA Grade System = <\/strong>multiply credits grade points (add the points) \/total credits&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Credits are a pre-decided number of hours given to students for each course. They are basically the rewards that students utilize during their studies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Subject&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Grade&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Credits<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Grade Point<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Maths<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">B<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Chemistry&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">A<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Literature<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">A<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Algebra<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">B<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">4<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>GPA = <\/strong>(4*3+3*4+3*4+4*3)=48\/ 14 = 3.4 (approx)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_types_of_GPA\"><\/span><strong>What are the types of GPA?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Class GPA: <\/strong>It is the total score of your high school grades \/ total credits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Semester GPA:<\/strong> It is the total score of credits\/value of the grade earned in the semester.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cumulative GPA: <\/strong>This is required for college application. It is calculated by your semester\u2019s GPA multiplied by credit hours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Calculation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GPA * credit score of all the semesters = total points of all the semesters<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sum all the credit scores and total points of all the semesters<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Divide the total points of all the semesters \/ total credit hours&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The result is your cumulative GPA<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_types_of_GPA_honors\"><\/span><strong>What are the types of GPA honors?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cum laude: <\/strong>It is an academic degree given to a student who received a distinction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will typically be a score requirement of 3.5\u20133.6 GPA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Magna cum laude:<\/strong> It is an academic degree given to students in US who received greater distinction. This will typically be a score requirement of&nbsp; 3.7\u20133.8 GPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Summa cum laude: <\/strong>It is an academic degree given to the student with the highest honor. This will typically be a score requirement of&nbsp; 3.9\u20134.0 GPA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_degree_classifications_in_the_US\"><\/span><strong>What are the degree classifications in the US?&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are three types of classification of degrees in the US:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First class honours &#8211; (70% +)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Upper Second class honours &#8211; (60% &#8211; 70%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Third class honours (40% &#8211; 50%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you score anything less than 40%, you have cleared your degree, but anything above 70% means you have received a high classification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Above all, your GPA is your final grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you score between 90% &#8211; 100%, your GPA will be 4.0 and so on and so forth. Anything less than 60% in the US is considered a failure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/cost-of-living-calculator?utm_source=CustomBanner&#038;utm_medium=Website&#038;utm_campaign=Blog\" class=\"ul_banner_link\">\n  <div class=\"ul_banner ul_scholar_banner\">\n    <div class=\"ul_banner_text_section\">\n      <p class=\"ul_banner_heading\">Plan smarter, spend better.<\/p>\n      <p class=\"ul_banner_paragraph\">Calculate your expected living costs before you move abroad.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"button w-button unilivingbutton\">Calculate Now<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n<\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As one of the hot spot study destinations in the world for international students, the US is in more demand than ever! It offers more than just top-class institutions, but diverse, multicultural experiences and job opportunities. Before you make a move on those applications to the universities in the US, understanding the new grading system [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[974],"tags":[994],"class_list":{"0":"post-13068","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-admission-guide","8":"tag-united-states"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13068"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13068\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}