Global Grading Systems Uncovered

Across the globe, there are over a million higher education institutions and each of them follows a certain grading system. Half the Europe follows the Bologna system of education and grading system, while countries in Latin and North America follow the GPA grading system. Let’s check out country country-wise grading system in this article.

Grading systems are not just about the grades, there are also marks, percentages and other types of grading systems which exist. Each country for studying abroad has a set of standard grading systems which is used across its schools and universities. Firstly, let’s check the different types of grading systems, then understand how the CBSE 10th grading system works and finally check out the top countries and their grading systems.

Types of Grading Systems

There are different types of grading systems in the world, and each of them varies per country internationally. In some cases, there is grading based on marks, or in some cases, the grading is based on percentage. Following is the type of grading that is followed across a couple of countries:

• Grading based on percentage scores like 90% is ‘A’ grade.
• Letter grades, each denoting a certain level of achievement like, grade ‘O’ represents outstanding.
• GPA grading system - where a GPA is graded based on the performance of the student.
• Mastery grading where students are graded based on these parameters - Unfamiliar, Adequate, Emergent, Proficient, Distinguished and Master.
• Common grading scale (GSC) - this grading gives grades like A1, A2, A3 and a pass or fail denotion. Based on all grades the final pass/fail verdict is given.
• Narrative grading is another set of grading which is a more consolidated feedback offered to students. 

There may be other types of grading also, but the above-mentioned grading system is used widely. 

Also, Read: Consolidated Marksheet

What are the Pros and Cons of Grading Systems?

While grading system is a more enhanced system where students scoring in a broad category are all graded in the same slot. While this may be regarded as a boon by few, others may always feel its a bane. Let us check out some of the pros and cons of grading systems in the table below:

Pros of Grading System	Cons of Grading System
Less pressure on students based on academic performance.	Those falling in the 95% - 100% category are graded the same.
Easier to mark students based on performance.	Not easy to judge between the best performers and a notch lower performers.
The grading system helps students understand their standing along with other students.	The bifurcation is not very clear hence, not a lot of students can be counted into one category.

Thus, the pros are more for the grading system but the cons are equally scalable in terms of students. 

CBSE Grading System 

Since a lot of Indian students hail abroad for higher education, it is essential to first understand the CBSE grading system and then check out Indian universities’ grading system. 

CBSE 10th Grading System

It is important to note that the CBSE 10th grading system is similar to that of class 12th. Check out the CBSE grading system in the table below:

Grade Awarded	Grade Point Awarded	Category of Students Passed/Failed
A1	10	Top 1/8th of the passed students
A2	9	Next 1/8th of the passed students
B1	8	Next 1/8th of the passed students
B2	7	Next 1/8th of the passed students
C1	6	Next 1/8th of the passed students
C2	5	Next 1/8th of the passed students
D1	4	Next 1/8th of the passed students
D2	2	Next 1/8th of the passed students
E	1	Failed students

This is how the grading system works for CBSE students in India. The grading system is the same for both Board classes that is, 10th and 12th in India.

Indian Universities Grading System

At universities in India, there are both grade scales and marks which can then be categorised into the category of division. The Indian university level’s education grading system is as follows:

Percentage of Marks	Division
75% - 100%	Distinction + First Division
60% - 74%	First Division
55% - 59%	Second High Division
50% - 54%	Second Division
42% - 49%	Third Division
35% - 40%	Fail or Third Division
0% - 34%	Fail

This is how Indian university scores their students and categorise them into divisions. These percentages can be converted to GPA if applying for admissions abroad. May universities also score students based on CGPA, thus, applicants can submit their GPA from CGPA also. Now let us look at the countries abroad in the sections below to understand their grading systems in detail. 

Grading Systems in Countries Abroad

Since Indian students hail from different countries abroad, they must understand the grading system of these countries. 

Grading System in USA

The grading system in US usually assigns grades or assesses students based on the GPA grading system. Here the students are marked based on either percentage or grades and they fall into a category of GPA. the following table summarises the GPA grading system in the US:

Grades	Percentage Category	GPA (4.0 Point Scale)
A+	97% - 100%	4.0
A	93% - 96%	4.0
A-	90% - 92%	3.7
B+	87% - 89%	3.5
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	65% - 66%	1.0
F	Below 65%	0

American education grading system focuses on GPAs rather than marks and percentages. For reference, international applicants can also check out how to calculate GPA for a better understanding.

Korean Grading System

The South Korean grading system is a mix of percentages and grades, the following table throws more light on the same:

Percentage Obtained	Grades
95% - 100%	A+
90% - 95%	A
85% - 90%	B+
80% - 85%	B
75% - 80%	C+
70% - 75%	C
65% - 70%	D+
60% - 65%	D
Below 60%	Fail

Universities may also grade students on 4.0-point to 10.0 point scale may vary across universities. Thus, there is no one standard way to grade students in South Korean universities. 

Australian Grading System

The following is the standard grading system used across Australian universities for students enrolled for higher education:

Grade	Scale	Scale 2	Grade Description	Division
HD	7.00	83.00 - 100.00	High Distinction (A)	First Class
D	6.00 - 6.99	73.00 - 82.99	Distinction (A)	Second Class, Upper Division
C	5.00 - 5.99	63.00 - 72.99	Credit (B)	Second Class, Lower Division
P	4.00 - 4.99	50.00 - 62.99	Pass (C)	Third Class
N	0.00 - 3.99	0.00 - 49.99	Fail	-

The grades given in the table above denote the following:

• HD: 85% and above (High Distinction)
• D: 75–84% (Distinction)
• C: 65–74% (Credit)
• P: 50–64% (Pass)
• N: 49% and under (Fail)

Canadian Universities Grading Process

For those planning to study in Canada, will first have to identify the state they wish to study in. The reason why applicants should identify the Canadian state for studying is because each state has a different grading system. so, some of the common ones are as follows:

• Alberta Grading System: There is a letter grading system which is further translated into a grade point on a GPA scale.
• British Columbia Grading System: Here there are letter grades which are translated into percentage scores. 
• Manitoba Grading System: There is grading that happens on a GPA of 4.0-point scale.

Universities abroad use a standard grading system which is typically a GPA grading system or a grading system that includes percentage or marks calculations. But grading systems justify the intent and can be evaluated if applying for admission abroad.