Grades: Definitions (2024)

Grades

1. Letter Grades

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.

F indicates unsatisfactory performance (no credit: always include last date of attendance).

P indicates Pass (A-, B and C will automatically be replaced by "P" when the Pass/No Pass option has been requested. A+ and A will be recorded as "A+" and "A", not "P").
NP indicates No Pass (D+, D, D-, and F will automatically be replaced by "NP" when the Pass/No Pass option has been requested).

NC (No Credit)Note: The NC grade was eliminated as of Winter 2019.

U indicates Audit (class taken for personal enrichment).

“ I” indicates Incomplete: An Incomplete can be provided when a student has satisfactorily completed 75 percent or more of the course work as defined by the instructor, but is unableto finish the remaining required scheduled work due to circ*mstances beyond the student’ s control. An Incomplete grade is not used to avoid a failing grade or to address student convenience.

In general, a grade of Incomplete is to be made up within one term from the last day of the original term the course was taken,but may be extended up to one year at the discretion of the instructor. Assigning an Incomplete requires mutual agreement between the student and instructor, outlined in a contract (or written agreement) that contains the following: a description of the work to be completed, a deadline for its completion, and a standard grade that will be earned if the deadline is not met. The student is responsible for understanding the terms of the contract. The student cannot be required to register again for the Incomplete course (graded or audit) during the term of the Incomplete. At the end of the contract date, the Incomplete will convert to a standard grade as determined by the terms of the contract.;

2. Grade Points
Grades and grade points that are included in the computation of the Grade Point Average (GPA) are assigned as follows:

A+ = 4.30
A = 4.00
A- = 3.70

B+ = 3.30
B = 3.00
B- = 2.70

C+ = 2.30
C = 2.00
C- = 1.70

D+ = 1.30
D = 1.00
D- = 0.70

F = 0.00

P, NP, NC, I and U are not used to compute GPA -Note:The NC grade was eliminated as of Winter 2019.

It will always be possible for a student to earn a 4.30 GPA for the term. Pass/No-Pass, Incomplete, No Credit and Audit have no effect on the student's earned credit or GPA credit.

To compute GPA, first find the total grade points for each class by multiplying the points for the grade times the credits for the class. Then add up all the credits and all the points. The GPA is then computed by dividing the total points by the total credits (and rounding up to the nearest one-hundredth).

Example:

Credits Grade Points
BA226 Business Law 3 A- 11.1
PE 170 Beginning Tennis 1 B 3.00
Totals: 4 14.1
Total Points divided by Total Credits equals: 3.53 GPA

Pass/No Pass Classes

Specific classes may be offered on a Pass/No Pass basis. All such classes will have the Pass/No Pass notation placed in the note section of the term schedule and students enrolled in the class will receive either P, NP, NC or I. If a student earns an "A" in a Pass/No Pass class, the "A" is recorded on the transcript. Note:The NC grade was eliminated as of Winter 2019.

Grades: Definitions (2024)

FAQs

Is 60% a failed grade? ›

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.

Should I let my grades define me? ›

Many factors define a person's grades: the teacher, the subject, the test format, and the curve. Not to say you shouldn't take accountability for your shortcomings, but there are many times when a class's structure does not entirely reflect what we know. As a student, it's our job to make the most of what we're taught.

Why is 50% a failing grade? ›

The rationale is that 50 represents the same kind of failing grade in a 100-point scale that a 0 represents in a 0 – 4.0 grading system, in which a D is calculated as ​“1” rather than in the 60s, and an A as ​“4” rather than in the 90s.

Is a 70 an OK grade? ›

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% F - this is a failing grade.

What is a B+ at Harvard? ›

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences averages its letter grades with a 4-point scale: A = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.00, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.00, C- = 1.67, D+ = 1.33, D = 1.00, D- = 0.67. E, ABS, UNS, EXLD = 0.

Is a D+ a pass or fail? ›

Technically, a D+ is a passing grade, but many institutions will not accept that grade for certain degrees. If you are interested in obtaining a certain degree, you should consult the course requirements section of the degree program and pay particular attention to what grades are acceptable for a degree.

Is it OK to get bad grades? ›

Receiving a bad grade isn't the end of the world. Don't think one bad grade represents your overall worth as a student. The very fact that you are concerned shows that you are motivated and have high expectations for yourself. Avoid punishing yourself for receiving a bad grade.

Does your GPA define you? ›

Your grades do not define your worth

A high GPA is impressive on a graduate school application, but so are achievements outside of academics. Ten years from now, nobody will ask you if you passed or failed that physics class in sophom*ore year. You are more than a letter grade.

Why don't grades define you? ›

Your grades are based on whether you've had a bad day, a good rest, not enough food, or even your overall mood. One test or one class doesn't say how you are as a student or a person. If you fail a class, that doesn't mean that you're a failure or that you could do better.

What GPA is B+? ›

How to Calculate Your GPA
A+=4.33
A=4.00
A-=3.67
B+=3.33
B=3.00
8 more rows

Are B's okay in college? ›

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.

Why do grades skip E? ›

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.

Is an 85 AB or B+? ›

GradePoints
A-90 - 94
B+86 - 89
B83 - 85
B-80 - 82
8 more rows

Is a 100 a good grade? ›

The U.S. Letter Grading System

From then on, it became popular and institutions started to adopt the concept with Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts giving A an equivalent of 95-100%, B as equivalent to 84-95%, C as equivalent to 76-84%, and D as 75%.

Is 68/100 a first? ›

Scores above 70% are classed as “First”, so you should be very excited to get a grade in that range. It is rare for students to achieve grades higher than 90%, though this can happen.

Is a 60% an F? ›

C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = below 60%

Can a 60 be a passing grade? ›

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.

Is under 60% a fail? ›

Yes, it will be considered a passing grade, and a letter grade of D will be allocated. A D is any percentage between 60-69%, however, a failure occurs below 60%.

Is 60 a good grade on a test? ›

A D is 60% to 69%; and finally. F is 59% and below – and it's not a passing grade.

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