If you're planning to complete your higher education in the United States, you'll encounter an academic grading system that's very different from many other places in the world.
Instead of a numerical grading system based on a percentage scale, American institutions typically use a letter-based system that assigns a grade point value to each letter grade.
However, this system can be confusing for international students or those unfamiliar with it. That's why this article explains how the 4.0 grading system - a prerequisite in most American schools and universities - works.
We'll talk about what each grade represents and how it compares to other grading systems around the world. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of the American grading system and how it can impact your academic performance.
About the 4.0 grading scale used by most American colleges and universities
Most American colleges and universities use the 4.0 grading scale to evaluate student performance. This scale assigns a numerical value to each letter grade:
- A represents excellent work and earns 4.0 grade points.
- B represents good work and earns 3.0 grade points.
- C represents satisfactory work and earns 2.0 grade points; it's often considered the minimum passing grade.
- D represents poor work and earns 1.0 grade point.
- F represents failing work and earns 0 grade points.
These letter grades are used to calculate a student's grade point average (GPA), which is a measure of a student's academic standing during the academic calendar.
A student's cumulative GPA is calculated by adding up the total number of grade points earned and dividing it by the total number of credit hours attempted.
High school GPAs are often used as a factor in college admissions decisions as they indicate a student's academic performance and eligibility for admission based on a minimum GPA.
The grade scale also represents percentage values, which we'll look at in the next section.
Grades A-F conversion to percentages
Within the A-F grading system, each letter grade represents a range of performances. However, some institutions may include additional modifiers, such as "+" or "-" to further differentiate the final grade.
For example, at the College of Central Florida, an A can be interpreted to mean "excellent" performance, a B+ represents "very good," and a B means "good" performance. The pattern is repeated for grades C and D, with F representing "failure."
Similarly, each letter grade represents a percentage value. The percentage values assigned to each letter grade may vary slightly between institutions, but they generally follow a similar pattern.
Here's a guide to the percentage values associated with each letter grade on the 4.0 grading scale:
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
| A | 90-100% |
| B | 80-89% |
| C | 70-79% |
| D | 60-69% |
| F | 0-59% |
Collegiate grading scale
The chart below represents the baseline percentage and GPA values associated with each letter grade. However, this grading system is by no means universal, and different colleges and universities may have their own version of a 4.0 grading system and associated GPA computation.
For example, some institutions like MIT use a 5.0 grading scale, which assigns a higher numerical value to letter grades. Others may use a pass/fail system that doesn't assign letter grades or numerical values at all.
Similarly, institutions like Alverno College and Bennington College don't provide grades and instead give students in-depth narrative evaluations. We'll discuss these alternative grading systems in detail in the next section.
| Letter Grade | Percentage | GPA |
| A+ | 97-100% | 4.0 |
| A | 93-96% | 3.9 |
| A− | 90-92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86% | 3.0 |
| B− | 80-82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73-76% | 2.0 |
| C− | 70-72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69% | 1.3 |
| D | 63-66% | 1.0 |
| D− | 60-62% | 0.7 |
| F | 0-59% | 0.0 |
Other collegiate grading systems used
In addition to the widely used 4.0 grading scale, there are alternative grading systems you may find in certain general education institutions across the U.S. Some alternative grading systems prioritize different aspects of academic performance or provide a more nuanced evaluation of a student's work.
There are also permanent records like magna cum laude and summa cum laude, which are reserved for students who have graduated with "great distinction" and "the highest distinction," respectively.
Let's take a look at some grading systems that may mean a grade change from the general 4.0 grading system.
Weighted GPA grading systems
In a weighted grading system, credit courses are assigned different grade values based on their perceived difficulty. This grading system gives students a numerical advantage for grades earned in higher-level or tougher courses. Honors courses or advanced placement (AP) courses might be weighted higher than others.
For example, in high school, regular coursework might be assigned a 1.0 grade point, while an AP course might be assigned 1.1 grade points or higher. This means a student who earns an A in an AP course receives more quality points than a student who earns an A in a regular course in their final GPA calculations.
Rank-based grading systems
Rank-based grading can take many forms. It can involve ranking students based on their performance in competition with each other. In many schools and community colleges, you may find this system expressed as percentile scores.
Ranking can also take the form of a "grading on the curve" system where the individual student's performance is judged based on how well or poorly they did relative to others in their group or class.
For example, SATs, GREs, and IQ tests are rank-based evaluations.
Alternative school-specific grading systems
Some schools may choose to implement their own unique grading system or forgo it altogether.
For instance, some schools may use a narrative evaluation system, where faculty members provide written feedback on a student's performance and academic progress instead of assigning a letter or numerical grade. This approach allows for more detailed and personalized feedback, which students can use to improve their performance.
Several schools, like St John's College and Reed College, have a policy of de-emphasizing grades. Grades at these colleges are only released at the request of the student. Other institutions like Brown University may choose not to compute student GPAs.
Easily compare the best colleges and universities with College Rover
Are you in the process of choosing a college or graduate school? Are you feeling nervous about the search ahead of you? College Rover can help you make an informed decision that works to your best advantage.
With College Rover, you can compare different universities, programs, course requirements, and enrollment processes. We also provide access to helpful resources to guide you through the decision-making process.
Our college comparison tool simplifies the process of finding and comparing different colleges and universities based on a range of criteria, including location, cost, programs, and student life.
You can also filter your search based on financial aid, scholarships, rankings, attributes, and majors.
Sign up today and see how College Rover can help you find your perfect college match!
