Grading System in Grading System in the USthe US

Nataliya LishchenkoNataliya Lishchenko

Grading System in the USGrading System in the US

The educational system in the US does The educational system in the US does not used the numerical grading not used the numerical grading system which is used widely across system which is used widely across the world. Students in the US are the world. Students in the US are evaluated using a credit / grade evaluated using a credit / grade system. system.

Grading System in the USGrading System in the US

Most colleges and universities in the USA Most colleges and universities in the USA use a credit system in which specific use a credit system in which specific number of credit hours are allotted for number of credit hours are allotted for each course the student undertakes. each course the student undertakes.

A normal course load of 6 to 12 credit A normal course load of 6 to 12 credit hours per semester is common for a hours per semester is common for a graduate course.graduate course.

The professor evaluates the academic The professor evaluates the academic performance of the student using a GPA or performance of the student using a GPA or the Letter grade system.the Letter grade system.

Grading System in the USGrading System in the US American universities employ a system of continual American universities employ a system of continual

assessment and assign grades for each course assessment and assign grades for each course taken.taken.

Almost everything you do for a class will influence Almost everything you do for a class will influence your final grade. your final grade.

Examinations and tests, essays or written Examinations and tests, essays or written assignments, laboratory reports, laboratory or studio assignments, laboratory reports, laboratory or studio work, class attendance, and class participation may work, class attendance, and class participation may all be used to determine your final grade.all be used to determine your final grade.

This means it is essential to keep up with the This means it is essential to keep up with the reading and course work and to attend classes on a reading and course work and to attend classes on a regular basis.regular basis.

% % From From % To % To GradeGrade

9090 100100 AA

8080 8989 BB

7070 7979 CC

6060 6969 DD

5050 5959 EE

00 4949 FF

Grading System in the USGrading System in the US

The grading systems used are mostly on a The grading systems used are mostly on a four-point scale: Undergraduates are four-point scale: Undergraduates are expected to complete their courses with C expected to complete their courses with C average or better while graduates require average or better while graduates require no less than a B average. no less than a B average.

Students securing 'Grade F' in any Students securing 'Grade F' in any course(s) will require to redo the course course(s) will require to redo the course before starting advanced courses. before starting advanced courses.

Many graduate students consider a grade Many graduate students consider a grade below 'C' unacceptable as it could affect below 'C' unacceptable as it could affect campus placements. campus placements.

In addition to the above In addition to the above regular grades, certain regular grades, certain

universities offer grades such universities offer grades such as:as:

IP - In ProgressIP - In Progress

An IP grade means that the student has An IP grade means that the student has not completed all the portions of a multi-not completed all the portions of a multi-portioned class that is taken over portioned class that is taken over multiple semesters to earn the regular multiple semesters to earn the regular grade. The IP would be changed to grade. The IP would be changed to regular grade once all the portions are regular grade once all the portions are completed. completed.

In addition to the above In addition to the above regular grades, certain regular grades, certain

universities offer grades such universities offer grades such as:as:

NC or NIC- Not Complete Or NC or NIC- Not Complete Or IncompleteIncomplete

This grade indicates that the student This grade indicates that the student has missed some exams, has missed some exams, assignments or homework that are assignments or homework that are important to evaluate performance. important to evaluate performance.

In addition to the above In addition to the above regular grades, certain regular grades, certain

universities offer grades such universities offer grades such as:as:

W - Withdrawn W - Withdrawn

This grade indicates that the student This grade indicates that the student has decided not to enroll for the has decided not to enroll for the course after attending the classes for course after attending the classes for more than a predetermined period. more than a predetermined period.

Or Or WPWP withdrew from passing withdrew from passing

In addition to the above In addition to the above regular grades, certain regular grades, certain

universities offer grades such universities offer grades such as:as:

NN no grade assigned  no grade assigned  SS satisfactory  satisfactory  UU unsatisfactory  unsatisfactory  NCNC noncredit  noncredit 

Grading System in the USGrading System in the US

Some schools also offer intermediary Some schools also offer intermediary grades, the grading scale being A+, grades, the grading scale being A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F. while representing as GPA an and F. while representing as GPA an A+ grade may represent A GPA OF A+ grade may represent A GPA OF 4.00, or above, A to 3.67, A- 4.00, or above, A to 3.67, A- corresponds to 3.3,similarly B+ to corresponds to 3.3,similarly B+ to 3.0, B to 2.67,B- to 2.3 and C+ to 2, 3.0, B to 2.67,B- to 2.3 and C+ to 2, C to 1.67, C- to 1.3 and so on. C to 1.67, C- to 1.3 and so on.

GPAGPA

Final GPA that a student graduates Final GPA that a student graduates with is not a simple average, it is a with is not a simple average, it is a weighted average. weighted average.

The weight is the number of credit The weight is the number of credit hours that are predetermined by the hours that are predetermined by the faculty based on the course contents faculty based on the course contents and displayed in the course and displayed in the course schedule. schedule.

GPAGPA

The final GPA = letter grade value The final GPA = letter grade value * credit hours/ credit hours.* credit hours/ credit hours.

Calculating your GPA Calculating your GPA 

AA is worth 4 points  is worth 4 points  BB is worth 3 points  is worth 3 points  CC is worth 2 points  is worth 2 points  DD is worth 1 point  is worth 1 point  FF is zero points  is zero points 

ExampleExample 1 1::

if you received an "A" for a three-credit if you received an "A" for a three-credit course, you multiply 4x3, and the result is course, you multiply 4x3, and the result is 12. If you received a "B" for a two-credit 12. If you received a "B" for a two-credit course, you multiply 3x2 and the result is course, you multiply 3x2 and the result is 6. 6. 

Add your total points (12+6=18).  Add your total points (12+6=18).  Then add together your total number of Then add together your total number of

credits (3+2=5).  credits (3+2=5).  Finally, divide the total number of points Finally, divide the total number of points

by the total number of credits (18/5).  by the total number of credits (18/5).  The result in this case would be a 3.6 GPA. The result in this case would be a 3.6 GPA.

Example 2:Example 2:

If you take 5 courses with course 1, 2 If you take 5 courses with course 1, 2 and 3 with 3 credit hours, course 4 and 3 with 3 credit hours, course 4 with 2 credit hours and course 5 with with 2 credit hours and course 5 with 4 credit hours, and receive an "A" in 4 credit hours, and receive an "A" in each of the courses, your GPA is (15 each of the courses, your GPA is (15 x 4) / 15 = 4.0. x 4) / 15 = 4.0.

15= (3x3)+(2+4)15= (3x3)+(2+4)

Translating Records Translating Records 

There's no magic formula to convert There's no magic formula to convert your country's grades into the United your country's grades into the United States system. Fortunately, many States system. Fortunately, many college and university admissions college and university admissions counselors are familiar with various counselors are familiar with various international grading systems, and international grading systems, and often have firsthand knowledge of often have firsthand knowledge of different school systems. different school systems. 

Translating RecordsTranslating Records

Some schools use ratios to approximate your Some schools use ratios to approximate your grades on an United States scale, however, grades on an United States scale, however, most colleges and universities judge academic most colleges and universities judge academic transcripts in context to your own educational transcripts in context to your own educational system. For example, they will compare system. For example, they will compare several student applicants from the same several student applicants from the same region. Or, if they are unfamiliar with a region. Or, if they are unfamiliar with a system, they often contact the Department of system, they often contact the Department of State's Educational Information's Datadvising State's Educational Information's Datadvising Centers located in nations around the world.Centers located in nations around the world.

Translating RecordsTranslating Records

To help facilitate the process, To help facilitate the process, international schools often send international schools often send admission counselors profiles with admission counselors profiles with information on their courses, grading information on their courses, grading systems and academic systems and academic achievements. achievements.

CClass rank and test scores are lass rank and test scores are especially important, because they especially important, because they help in the overall decision making.help in the overall decision making.

Sources:Sources: The American Freshman: National Norms for 1997.The American Freshman: National Norms for 1997. Higher Higher

Education Research Institute (HERI). 1998. Education Research Institute (HERI). 1998. America’s Best CollegesAmerica’s Best Colleges. . 20042004 ed. U.S. News & World Report. ed. U.S. News & World Report. America’s Best Graduate SchoolsAmerica’s Best Graduate Schools. 2000 ed. U.S. News & . 2000 ed. U.S. News &

World Report. World Report. Educational Rankings AnnualEducational Rankings Annual. . 20042004 ed. Gale. ed. Gale. The Gourman Report: A Rating of Undergraduate Programs The Gourman Report: A Rating of Undergraduate Programs

in American and International Universitiesin American and International Universities, by Jack Gourman. , by Jack Gourman. 1155th edition, th edition, 20042004. Random House. . Random House.

The Gourman Report: A Rating of Graduate and Professional The Gourman Report: A Rating of Graduate and Professional Programs in American and International UniversitiesPrograms in American and International Universities, by Jack , by Jack Gourman. Gourman. 1212h edition, h edition, 20052005. Princeton Review Publishing. . Princeton Review Publishing.

"The Quest for Quality in Higher Education," by Hal Hovey. "The Quest for Quality in Higher Education," by Hal Hovey. State Policy ReportsState Policy Reports, v. 15, n. 2, Jan. , v. 15, n. 2, Jan. 20042004, pp. 2-24. , pp. 2-24.

Rugg’s Recommendations on the CollegesRugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges, by Frederick E. , by Frederick E. Rugg. 16th ed., Rugg. 16th ed., 20042004. Rugg’s Recommendations. . Rugg’s Recommendations.

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