In Europe and many countries around the world, a pass/fail system is used for university studies. That is not the case in the United States where grades play an important role. During the semester, student’s performance is measured in several ways; essays, quizzes, group work, presentation, attendance, participation, mid-terms, and finals. Below is a table showing how students often are tested in the USA:
Test Name
Description
Quizzes
Shorter exams that covers assigned readings or previous lectures
Essays (Paper)
Text and illustrations that discuss issues assigned or selected
Group work
Several people working together on a project or essay
Presentation
Presentation speech in-front of class on a assigned or selected topic
Mid-terms
Exam testing material covering a part of the semester. Sometimes 1-3 mid-term exams are given before the final exam.
Participation
How active a student is in the classroom including answering questions and participating in group work
Attendance
How often a student shows up to the lecture or other class room activity.
Extra Credit
Some instructors allow students to increase their chances for a good grade. The assignments are called extra credit and could be anything from short essays, speeches, and quizzes.
Final
Exam covers all material or material covered in the second half of the semester
Grades in the United States are assigned using letters from A to F where A is the highest and F is the lowest.
Grade
Points
Description
A
4.0
Excellent
B
3.0
Good
C
2.0
Average
D
1.0
Passing
F
0
Failed
Some universities and some professors have variations of this grading system. Students can receive pluses (+) or minuses (-) together with the letter grade. The grade point value will also change. The table below shows an example of a grading system with pluses and minuses. The .x indicates fraction of points that you can receive. The purpose of this type of grading system is to add more variation and flexibility in the grading.
Grade
Points
Description
A+
4.0
Excellent
A
4.0
A-
3.6
B+
3.3
Good
B
3.0
B-
2.8
C+
2.3
Average
C
2.0
C-
1.8
D+
1.5
Passing
D
1.0
D-
0.8
F
0
Failed
The average of all grades received is usually referred to as Grade Point Average or GPA for short. GPA is the weighted average of points earned for all course work taken at a university. Take a look at the example below for how it is calculated:
Subject
Grade
Points
Units per class
Biology 101
B
3
3
Business 101
A
4
3
Chemistry 101
B
3
3
Chemistry Lab
C
2
1
Sum
12
10
GPA (weighted)
3.2
Average (not weighted)
2.5
In the example above, your GPA would be 3.2 and not 2.5 which would have been the simple average. The reason is because the C received in the Chemistry Lab only counts for one credit in the example. It will therefore not have the same weight as the other three units courses taken.
Grades in the United States are important for several reasons.
When specializing in a field, your major often require you to maintain a certain GPA average. If you drop below the average, you could be forced to retake classes or even change major.
If you are transferring credits from one university to another, a minimum GPA or grade per class required.
When applying for graduate school, GPA is one of the most important criteria that will be evaluated and will determine if you will be accepted or not.
If you are receiving financial aid or academic scholarships, there is a minimum requirement for continued support
If you have an athletic scholarship or if you are a part of a university athletic team, there are strict guidelines of minimum GPA required to remain on the team and maintain financial support.
Students with higher GPA are eligible to receive certain rewards and recognitions from the university and outside organizations. Upon graduation, students with high GPA will have recognitions printed on their diplomas.
When looking for employment in the United States, GPA and academic recognitions is reviewed by hiring companies.
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