The Grading System | Mohawk College (2024)

FAQs

Is 89.5 A bad grade? ›

A common grading scale might consider a 90-92 as an A-, which would correspond to a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, while an 87-89 may be categorized as a B+, which would typically be a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. If your 89.5 is rounded up to a 90, it would likely be considered an A-.

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.

It is also very subjective, with different teachers using different standards. The traditional grading scale has been a useful tool, but we now know there is a much better way for measuring students' progress and making informed teaching decisions.

You'll usually need to receive a letter grade between A and D to pass a class, often the numerical equivalent of 65 percent or higher. Receiving an F—which stands for “fail”—indicates that you did not pass the class. The cutoff to receive an F is usually 64 percent.

Grade conversion

This is the most used grading system; however, there are some schools that use an edited version of the college system, which means 89.5 or above becomes an A average, 79.5 becomes a B, and so on.

The Banker's Rule states that one should round 5's to the nearest even number. This maintains accuracy when working with a set of numbers. Some educators round 79.5 up to a 80, but a student with 79.45 has not achieved that mark so we ensure the student's grade reflects what has been earned.

Some colleges may be more lenient and accept a D grade if the rest of your application is strong. However, more selective colleges typically expect applicants to have mostly A's and B's, with few C's or below. In that case, a D grade in a core class could be particularly concerning.

At most schools, a D is the lowest passing grade. That means students who earn a D or higher receive credit for the course. However, some schools set special policies around D grades. For example, at Lehigh, a D counts as a passing grade but does not meet prerequisite requirements.

The grade-point-average system in U.S. colleges designates an A with four points, a B with 3 points, a C with two points, and a D as one point and an F is equivalent to zero. Undergraduate students need to have a minimum of 2.0 GPA while graduate students need a 3.0 GPA.

Does grading matter in college? ›

In college, GPA is important because you need to pass your classes in order to graduate and earn your degree. So yes, while you're in college, GPA certainly matters.

The simple answer is, they look at all of them (at least all of your high school grades… click here to learn about how middle school grades factor in college applications). But, while colleges do look at all of your grades, not every grade is created equal from an application standpoint.

The letter Z is used to indicate that a grade was not properly received and/or recorded for a course. Note: No grade points are allowed for grades F, I, NP, P, PR, NPR, W, or Z. A complete record of all previously used grades and grading systems is detailed on the official transcript. Grade.

Many people wonder, “What is a passing grade in college?” Coming from high school, the grading system doesn't really change. In fact, a “D” is considered passing in both high school and college, as it's above 60%. While a passing grade may be as low as 60%, you will want to aim higher for many reasons.

Consider repeating the course. Over 90% of colleges allow undergraduates to take a failed class again to improve their grade. Depending on the school, the new grade may replace the F on your transcript — or both grades may appear, with the new grade replacing the F in your GPA calculation.

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).

A - is the highest grade you can receive on an assignment, and it's between 90% and 100% B - is still a pretty good grade! This is an above-average score, between 80% and 89% C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle.