American Grading System Explained (2025): GPA, Passing Grades & Charts

The American grading system uses letter grades (A–F), percentages, and GPA to measure student performance. For many learners, especially international students, it can be confusing and raises questions like “Is a 65 a passing grade?” or “Does 60 mean failing at university?”.

This guide explains the American grading system in 2025, covering schools, universities, GPA, and degree classifications. Clear charts and examples will help you understand exactly how grades work in the United States.

What is the American Grading System?

The American grading system measures student performance through a mix of letter grades, percentages, and GPA (Grade Point Average). It provides a clear way to evaluate progress and compare results across schools and universities.

The most common approach is the A–F letter scale. Each letter represents a percentage range, with “A” as the highest mark and “F” as failing. These letters also convert into numbers on a 4.0 GPA scale, which is widely used for college admissions, scholarships, and job applications.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how the us grading system works:

Many schools also use plus (+) and minus (–) marks to show small differences within each range. These details slightly change the GPA calculation, but the system’s purpose stays the same: to create a fair, consistent way of grading in America.

American Grading System in Schools (K–12)

The grading system in American schools develops gradually as students move through each level. In elementary school, many teachers use simple marks or letter grades to track progress, with the main focus on building learning habits.

By middle school, the school grading system in USA shifts to a more formal structure. Students receive subject-specific grades, and some schools start recording a GPA. This helps students and families see how performance is measured and prepares them for the demands of high school.

In high school, grades directly affect a student’s future. Every course contributes to the GPA, which plays a key role in graduation, scholarships, and college admission. Passing grades in core subjects such as English, math, science, and social studies are usually required to earn a diploma. Advanced courses may also carry extra weight, giving motivated students the chance to raise their GPA above a standard 4.0 scale.

Overall, the K–12 grading system builds step by step, starting with basic feedback in the early years and leading to GPA-based requirements that determine graduation and next-level opportunities.

University Grading System in the US

At the university level, grading works differently than in schools. The university grading system combines course performance with credit hours to calculate a student’s overall standing. Each course carries credits, usually based on class time per week, and final university grades translate into grade points.

Most colleges use the 4.0 GPA scale, but grading cutoffs can vary. For example, an “A” may start at 93% at one university and 90% at another. Many institutions also use plus (+) and minus (–) grades, which slightly raise or lower the points earned.

Key Points in the University Grading Scale

GPA calculation: Multiply the grade points by the course’s credit hours, then divide by total credits taken.
Credit hours: Standard courses are worth 3–4 credits, while labs or electives may carry fewer.
Grade cutoffs: Each university sets its own ranges and policies, especially in competitive programs.

Because GPA depends on both marks and credit hours, a single low grade in a high-credit course can impact results more than a smaller class. Ultimately, marks at university influence academic progress, scholarships, and graduate or career opportunities.

Grades of University Degrees

In the US, grades of university degrees often include special distinctions that recognize high academic performance. Instead of ranking all students the same, many universities award degrees with Latin honors, based on GPA at graduation.

The most common honors awarded at graduation based on GPA achievement:

GPA and Grading System Points Explained US

In the U.S., GPA (Grade Point Average) converts letter grades into grading system points. Schools use two main types:

• Unweighted GPA (4.0 scale): All classes are valued the same.
• Weighted GPA (5.0 or 6.0 scale): Advanced courses like AP, IB, or Honors carry extra points.

Many schools also use plus (+) and minus (–) grades, which adjust GPA more precisely. For example, an A– counts slightly lower than an A, while a B+ ranks higher than a B.

Here’s how American grades typically translate across different scales:

Unweighted GPAs show overall consistency, while weighted GPAs highlight academic rigor. Both are important for college admissions and scholarships.

Is a 65 a Passing Grade?

In most U.S. schools, a 65% is considered a passing grade, usually equal to a D. It means the student has met the minimum requirement to earn credit, but the performance is weak.

However, policies vary. While many high schools accept 65 as passing, several colleges and universities set higher standards. For example:

• Some universities treat anything below 70% as failing.
• Professional programs like Nursing or Engineering often require at least a C (70–73%) in core subjects.
• A 65 may pass at some community colleges, but it might not transfer to four-year institutions.

Because grading policies differ, a 65 can be passing in one setting and failing in another. Even when it counts as passing, it usually lowers GPA and can affect eligibility for scholarships, financial aid, or admission into competitive programs.

So, is 65 failing? Not always but it’s the lowest passing grade in most schools and may not meet college or program standards. Students should always review their institution’s grading policy to know where they stand.

Is a 60 a Passing or Failing Grade?

Students often ask, “is a 60 failing?” In most U.S. schools, the answer is yes. A 60% usually counts as an F, meaning the student did not meet the passing standard.

Some high schools, however, set 60 as the minimum passing mark. In those cases, a 60 may equal a D –, which allows credit but signals very poor performance. It keeps a student from repeating the course, but it still lowers GPA and limits future opportunities.

At the university level, the rules are stricter. Most colleges require at least a C (around 70%) for a course to count toward graduation or major requirements. From this perspective, a 60 is not a good grade at university it is failing in nearly every program, even if a transcript shows course completion.

Quick View

• High School: 60 may pass in some districts but is the lowest possible grade.
• University: 60 is failing and does not count toward degree progress.

In short, a 60 might scrape by in certain high schools, but in higher education it is almost always failing. Students should aim well above this threshold to stay academically secure.

American Grading Scale vs. Other Countries

The us grading scale combines letter grades (A–F) with a GPA system, usually on a 4.0 scale but sometimes extended to 5.0 or 6.0. This structure makes the grades United States system different from many countries that rely only on percentages or classifications.

In the United Kingdom, results are reported as degree classes: First Class, Upper Second (2:1), Lower Second (2:2), or Third Class. These are based on overall percentages, not GPA.

In the European Union, the ECTS scale (A–F) is common, but it is rank-based. An “A” may represent the top 10% of students, which is not the same as the fixed percentage approach used in the grade system USA.

In Asia, grading varies widely:

• China: 100-point scale, with 60 as the passing mark.
• India: Percentage-based, with 75%+ seen as distinction.
• Japan: Mix of letters and percentages, but less focus on GPA compared to the grading systems in America.

Overall, the grading scale USA emphasizes GPA and continuous assessment, while many international systems depend more on final scores or rank. This difference often makes direct grade conversion difficult.

North American Grading System

The North American grading system shows both common ground and clear differences across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In the American education grading system, schools use letter grades (A–F) linked to GPA, typically on a 4.0 scale but sometimes extended to 5.0 or 6.0. GPA plays a central role in measuring overall performance.

Canada follows a similar approach but with variations across provinces and universities. Most institutions also use letter grades, but GPA may be calculated on a 4.0 or 4.3 scale. Quebec’s CEGEP system adds another layer, where students complete pre-university courses with a unique grading format not found in the U.S.

Mexico takes a different route, using a 0–10 numeric scale, with 6 as the minimum passing grade. Here, final exam scores often weigh more heavily, and GPA or letter grades are not the primary focus.

Quick Comparison

USA: Letter grades + GPA (4.0–6.0).

Canada: Letter grades + GPA (4.0/4.3), provincial differences.

Mexico: Numeric 0–10 scale, 6 as passing.

FAQs About the American Grading System