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Content Curator
Highlights-
- GPA grade Scale - GPA scale in USA ranges from A to F. The GPA point scale ranges from 0-4.
- Types of Grading System - There are two types of GPA for the grading system in USA - numerical and letter grading systems. Special grades are also included which can be broken down into IP (In progress), NC (Not Completed), and withdrawn.
- Types of GPA - Semester GPA, class GPA, and Cumulative GPA are the three types of GPA used for the grading system in us college.
- How to Calculate - You can calculate your GPA by dividing the total grade points by the total number of credit hours or courses taken.
The grading system in USA is very significant for assessing your academic performance throughout the year. The United States grading scale is a composition of GPA (Grade Point Average) to evaluate academic performance. One of the widely used types of GPAs is the 4-point grading system. Various US universities allot numerical and letter grades based on a system of credits.
- For the grading system in the United States, you have to complete a certain number of credits or semester hours for each course that they select in a given semester. Credit and Credit hours are used to calculate the overall grade.
- Calculating your GPA is necessary as it will help the teachers to assess what kind of a student you are.
- If you pass all of your classes with high grades, you will most likely have a GPA that’s close to 4.0. Alternatively, if you struggled with some classes but excelled in others, you may have a GPA of 2.5 to 3.0.
- Plus (+) and negative (-) modifiers are used in some circumstances to signify slightly more excellent or poorer performance within a single letter grade.
Also Check: Requirements to Study in USA for International Students
Table of Content
Importance of GPA in the US Grading System
There are some reasons you should know why GPA is important for your academic success-
- University Admissions - US GPA system is important for universities and colleges when considering whether to accept your application. A good GPA shows that you are a diligent and accomplished student, which might boost your chances of admission to your selected college.
- Scholarships - Many scholarships for US have a minimum GPA requirement for eligibility. A good GPA will improve your odds of growing in US scholarships and financial aid, which can help pay for your education.
- Admission to Graduate Schools - A good GPA is required to seek additional degrees, such as a Master's or Doctorate. Graduate schools sometimes require a minimum GPA for admission, and having a competitive GPA might help you get into your selected program.
Types of US Grading System
The grading system in US university is categorized into two types- Numerical and letter grading systems. Multiple grading methods are used in the United States, each with its own criteria and norms.
Numerical US Grading System
The numerical approach of the US GPA system is fairly straightforward to understand. These grades in USA mark students on a numbered scale pre-decided by their university or school. Depending upon how well they do, they will receive a numbered grade to assess their performance. For example, you could be scored on a percentage system and be given a grade anywhere from 0-100%.
Letter US Grading System
Letter grades in the USA are obtained by students in routine tests or term exams, for example, A, B, and C. It is also known as the A-F grading system. Every letter grade denotes the numerical performance of a student by a number. Students can further convert the grade into a GPA. Here is a basic breakdown of the meaning of each letter in the grading system in United States of America-
| Percentage | Grade |
|---|---|
| 93-100 | A |
| 90-92 | A (-) |
| 83 – 86 | B |
| 87-89 | B(+) |
| 80 – 82 | B (-) |
| 77 – 79 | C (+) |
| 73 – 76 | C |
| 70 – 72 | C (-) |
| 67 – 69 | D (+) |
| 63 – 66 | D |
| 60 – 62 | D (-) |
| Below 60 | F |
Special Grades
The grading system in USA university also incorporates a few different letter grades into the American grading scale. These do not exactly denote your grades but instead are used to highlight the status of your course. However, these still show up on your transcript in the American grade system. The special grades are -
- In Progress - If you haven't finished parts of a subject within the stipulated time to earn the regular grade, you will probably be given this grade. Upon completion, this grade is converted to the regular grade.
- Not Complete - If a task or homework assigned to a student is not complete or the student fails to complete the same, then this grade is given to the student on the transcript.
- Withdrawn - When a student is present or attends the classes but drops out midway, this grade is awarded to such a student.
Also Check: US Credit System: Structure, Types of Credits, and Relation with GPA
Relation Between Letter and Numerical Grading System
Every letter grade corresponds to a number or percentage, which is then used to calculate your GPA. Your numerical grade is used to obtain your letter grade. Each college will have its exact denotation of which grade corresponds to what letter. In the United States, academic performance is evaluated using 5, 6, to 7-letter grades. The conventional grading scale includes A+, A, A-, B+, B-, B-, C+, C-, D+, D, D-, and F, with A+ being the highest grade and F being the lowest. Here is a quick and easy breakdown of the grading scale in USA.
| Letter Grade | GPA Scale | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.00 | 94 - 100% |
| A- | 3.67 | 90 - 93.99% |
| B+ | 3.33 | 87 - 89.99% |
| B | 3.00 | 83 - 86.99% |
| B- | 2.67 | 80 - 82.99% |
| C+ | 2.33 | 77 - 79.99% |
| C | 2.00 | 73 - 76.99% |
| C- | 1.67 | 70 - 72.99% |
| D+ | 1.33 | 67 - 69.99% |
| D | 1.00 | 63 - 66.99% |
| D- | 0.67 | 60 - 93.99% |
| F | 0.00 | < = 59.99% |
Steps to Calculate your GPA
Calculating your GPA is imperative in the American Grading System. The following steps must be followed while calculating your GPA-
- Step 1: First, assign numerical values to each letter grade based on your school's grading scale. Usually, an 'A' is worth four points, a 'B' is worth three points, a 'C' is worth two points, a 'D' one point, and an 'F' zero points.
- Step 2: Multiply the numerical value of each grade by the number of credits per course to calculate your grade points. If you had a B in a 3-credit course, your grade point total would be 3 × 3 = 9.
- Step 3: Total your grade points for the semester or year by adding all of your grade points.
- Step 4: Finally, divide your total grade points by the semester or year's credits. Your GPA is the result of this calculation.
For example: GPA = Total Grade Points / total number of credit hours or courses taken. Therefore, if your total grade points are 22 and the number of classes you took is 6, then, your GPA would be 3.6.
Types of GPA
The grading point average in US grading system is divided into three types, which are discussed below -
- Class GPA- This deals with the grades of specific subjects in your school, to evaluate how well you have done in that area.
- Cumulative GPA - It accumulates all your grades throughout the academic year, right from the beginning of your session.
- Semester GPA - This GPA looks at your performance for an entire semester or quarter. It considers all the grades you earned in that period, giving you an idea of your overall performance during that time.
Indian GPA into US GPA
If you are an Indian student, you need to convert your Indian GPA or percentage to the 4-point GPA system used in the United States. The Scale 4 grading system is a performance evaluation method used for grading in the United States. Given below is the conversion of the Indian grading system to US grading system-
| Indian Percentage | CGPA | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| 85-100 | >8.5 | 4 |
| 80-84 | 8.0 -8.4 | 3.7 |
| 75-79 | 7.5-7.9 | 3.3 |
| 70-74 | 7.0-7.4 | 3 |
| 65-69 | 6.5-6.9 | 2.7 |
| 60-64 | 6.0-6.4 | 2.3 |
| 55-59 | 5.5-5.9 | 2 |
| 50-54 | 5.0-5.4 | 1.7 |
| 45-49 | 4.5-4.9 | 1.3 |
| 40-44 | 4.0-4.4 | 1 |
| 0-39 | 0-3.9 | 0 |
Also Check: How to Calculate Percentage in CGPA and GPA?
Convert Indian Percentage into US Grade Point Average
You must follow the below-mentioned steps while converting your Indian percentage into the US GPA -
- Step 1: First, you must calculate your Indian percentage, often your CGPA. This information is usually accessible on your grade sheet or transcript.
- Step 2: You will need a conversion chart to convert your Indian percentage to GPA, and this table will calculate the GPA or CGPA. The conversion of GPA to CGPA is often used to compare academic performance across different institutions.
- Step 3: You must compute your cumulative GPA if you have academic records from numerous years or semesters. You must assign a weight per year or semester depending on the number of credits or courses taken. Then, multiply each year's or semester's GPA by weight and add the results. Finally, divide the whole number of credits or courses taken by the total number of credits or courses taken.
- Step 4: Divide your GPA by the highest GPA probable and multiply the result by 4.0 to convert it to a 4-point scale.
US Grade VS Indian Grades
The grading system in USA and India differs in terms of their techniques and strategies employed. The table below draws a comparison between the grading systems of both countries-
| Aspect | India | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Scale of Evaluation | The Indian grading scale ranges from 1 to 10. | US University GPA scale ranges from A to F |
| Complexity | The Indian grading system features a larger scale, allowing for a more granular assessment of a student's work. | The United States grading system is better and clearer to grasp. |
| Exam weightage | Homework and class participation are given more weightage in Indian grading system. | Emphasizes homework, assignments, and class participation, |
| Honors and GPA | Honors usually are offered to students who score over a specific percentage in India. | Honors are given based on a student's GPA |
The US grading system may be complicated at first, but it becomes easier to use after some time. To maintain your grades, keep track of your attendance, academic scores, and class performance. The US grading system is one of the most used grading systems across the globe.
FAQs
Ques. What does GPA stand for?
Ans. GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It's a measure of your academic performance.
Ques. How is GPA calculated?
Ans. GPA is calculated by averaging the grades you receive in your classes.
Ques. What is the highest grade one can achieve in the USA grading system?
Ans. The highest grade is an "A," typically indicating excellent performance.
Ques. What grade is considered passing in most US schools?
Ans. A passing grade is usually a "D" or above, but some schools may require a "C" or higher.
Ques. What happens if a student receives an "F" grade?
Ans. An "F" grade indicates failure in the course, meaning the student did not meet the requirements to pass.
Ques. What do the symbols "+" and "-" mean in grading?
Ans. The "+" symbol typically means the grade is slightly higher, while "-" means slightly lower.
Ques. When is an "Incomplete" grade given?
Ans. An "Incomplete" grade is given when a student hasn't finished all the required coursework by the end of the term.
Ques. Is it possible to retake a class if a student fails?
Ans. Yes, many schools allow students to retake classes to improve their grades.
Ques. How do colleges use GPA during the admissions process?
Ans. Colleges often consider GPA as one of the factors when deciding whether to admit a student.
Ques. What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
Ans. A weighted GPA accounts for the difficulty of classes, while an unweighted GPA treats all classes equally.
Ques. What is the standard grading scale in the USA?
Ans. The standard grading scale includes letter grades from "A" to "F," with corresponding numerical ranges.
Ques. What are some strategies for improving GPA?
Ans. Strategies for improving GPA include studying effectively, seeking help when needed, and staying organized with assignments and deadlines.
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