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In the U.S., academic performance is measured primarily by a letter grade system and its corresponding GPA. This structure is followed by high schools, colleges and universities, although there can be slight variations depending on each institution. The grades are usually based on the combination of coursework, exams, class participation and projects.
Here is a standard breakdown on the U.S. grade scale:
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range | Description | GPA Value |
| A+ | 97–100% | Outstanding/Excellent | 4.0 |
| A | 93–96% | Excellent | 4.0 |
| A- | 90–92% | Excellent | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89% | Very Good | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86% | Good | 3.0 |
| B- | 80–82% | Good | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79% | Above Average | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76% | Average | 2.0 |
| C- | 70–72% | Below Average | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67–69% | Poor | 1.3 |
| D | 63–66% | Barely Passing | 1.0 |
| D- | 60–62% | Barely Passing | 0.7 |
| F | Below 60% | Failing | 0.0 |
In the U.S., grades are usually determined by a weighted average of homework, exams and participation. Midterms and finals are often more important than homework or participation.
Differences between Institutions
- Public vs. Private Institutions: Some Ivy League or private schools may have stricter grade policies.
- Weighted Grade Point Average: Advanced classes such as AP or IB (International baccalaureate), may be given a higher weighting. For example, an A grade in an AP class could be worth 5.0 and not 4.0.
- Pass/Fail Option: Some schools allow students to take courses pass/fail. This does not affect the GPA.
The US 4.0 GPA System
The GPA is calculated in the U.S. on a scale of 4.0, reflecting a student’s overall average performance. The standard scale looks like this:
In the U.S., grades are usually determined by a weighted average of homework, exams and participation. Midterms and finals are often more important than homework or participation.
Dnt’s overall average performance. The standard scale looks like this:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value |
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
- Unweighted Grade Point Average: Calculated solely on the letter grades without taking into account the difficulty of the class.
- Weighted GPA: Takes into account the difficulty of a course; for instance, an A grade in AP courses might be worth 5.0 instead of 4.0.
Conversion Process
It is easy to convert U.S. grades into other systems, such as a percentage system. Follow these steps.
- Get your grades: Gather up your official transcripts or grade reports.
- Use the table below to convert each U.S. scale to an international scale.
- Transform each grade into its GPA value.
- Calculate your average: Add up the GPAs and divide them by the number courses. Adjust the weighted GPA based on course difficulty.
Here is a table that converts the U.S. system to a similar international system.
| U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA | Approximate Percentage | Equivalent International Grade |
| A+ | 4.0 | 97–100% | Excellent/Distinction |
| A | 4.0 | 93–96% | Excellent/Distinction |
| B | 3.0 | 83–86% | Good |
| C | 2.0 | 73–76% | Average |
| D | 1.0 | 63–66% | Passing |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% | Fail |
Disclaimer: The table is only an approximate conversion. Check with the admissions offices of universities abroad to see if they have specific conversion methods.
Example:
Imagine you have one of the following U.S. grades.
- A (4.0)
- B (3.0).
- A- (3.7)
- C (2.0).
Add the numbers together: 4.0 + 3.0 plus 3.7 + 2.0 = 12.7
Step 2: Divide the total by 4: 12.75 / 4.
Your U.S. grade point average would be around 3.2.
Common Questions answered
Q: What is the difference between a weighted and an unweighted GPA?
A: While most U.S. colleges will consider both weighted and unweighted GPAs for comparison, unweighted tends to be the most standard.
Q: How do AP and Honors classes affect GPA calculations?
A grade of A or higher in an Honors course may be worth 5.0 points instead of 4.0.
Q: What is a good GPA at top U.S. Universities?
A: The majority of Ivy League programs expect a GPA between 3.7 and 4.0, although some top-tier schools may require higher.
Q: Do extracurricular activities factor into my GPA?
A: No. But they are still highly valued during the admissions process.
Q: What is the relationship between GPA and class ranking?
A: Your class rank is based on your GPA, which tells you how well you did compared to your peers.
Final Tips
- To maintain a high GPA, focus on achieving consistent results in all of your subjects.
- You can boost your GPA by taking challenging courses like AP or IB.
- Consider using the GPA Calculator in order to develop a plan for raising your GPA.