Each country has its own way of assessing school performance. This can be confusing when studying abroad or converting foreign grades. Here we compare the most important systems.
Netherlands: 1-10 scale
In the Netherlands, we use grades from 1 to 10, where 10 is perfect and 1 is very poor. A 5.5 or 6 is the minimum passing grade. Grades above 9 are rare - a 10 is almost never given. Most students score between 5 and 8.
Germany: 1-6 scale (reversed!)
In Germany, the grading system is reversed: 1 is the best grade and 6 is the worst. This can be confusing for Dutch students!
- 1 (sehr gut) = very good, comparable to NL 9-10
- 2 (gut) = good, comparable to NL 8
- 3 (befriedigend) = satisfactory, comparable to NL 7
- 4 (ausreichend) = sufficient, comparable to NL 6
- 5 (mangelhaft) = insufficient, comparable to NL 5
- 6 (ungenügend) = very insufficient, comparable to NL 1-4
Note: In Germany, the system also varies per Bundesland (federal state)!
Belgium: 0-20 or 0-10 scale
In Flanders, a 0-20 scale is often used (similar to France), where 10/20 is a passing grade. However, some schools also use the 0-10 scale like the Netherlands. In Wallonia, the 0-20 scale is standard.
France: 0-20 scale
France uses a scale from 0-20. A 10 is sufficient, and grades above 16 are exceptionally good. Most students score between 8 and 14. A 20 is virtually never given - even with perfect answers. A French 14 is comparable to a Dutch 8.
United Kingdom: Classification system
UK universities don't use grades but classifications:
- First Class Honours (1st): 70%+ - excellent
- Upper Second (2:1): 60-69% - good
- Lower Second (2:2): 50-59% - satisfactory
- Third Class (3rd): 40-49% - just sufficient
United States: Letter grades and GPA
The US uses letter grades (A-F) and GPA (Grade Point Average, scale 0-4):
- A (90-100%): GPA 4.0 - excellent
- B (80-89%): GPA 3.0 - good
- C (70-79%): GPA 2.0 - average/satisfactory
- D (60-69%): GPA 1.0 - below average
- F (<60%): GPA 0.0 - insufficient (fail)
Converting grades
There is no perfect formula for converting grades between countries. Universities often use their own conversion tables. Ask your institution for the official conversion method if you need foreign grades converted.