Academic grading in the Philippines
In the Philippines, some universities follow a 4-Point Scale, which resembles or is equivalent to the U.S. grading system. This system uses a grade between 0.00 to 4.00 wherein 4.00 is the highest and 0.00 being a failing mark.
Other universities follow a 5-Point Scale, wherein the highest grade is a 1.00 and the lowest is a 5.00. The lowest passing mark is actually a 3.00. Although usually not depicted, a grade of 4.00 is equivalent to a grade of incomplete. If the school does not use the grade point "4.00", it will use "INC" instead.
Most colleges and universities will use either the 4-Point or 5-Point Scales when presenting final grades. When scoring individual coursework, they will use the Percent Grade, Letter Grade, or both.
K-12 always uses the Percent Grade, Letter Grade, or both.
GWA is a representation of the overall scholastic standing of students used for evaluation. GWA is based on the grades in all subjects taken at a particular level including subjects taken outside of the curriculum. Representation of the subjects taken only in a specific curriculum is called CWA, or curriculum weighted average.
Percentage Equivalent (65–99)
| Grade in Percentage Equivalent | Letter Grade* | % Number Equivalent* |
Grade point scale
| Written Grade | Grade Point Equivalence | Equivalence | Description |
| A | 4.00 | 92 – 100% | Excellent |
| B+ | 3.50 | 85 – 91% | Very Good |
| B | 3.00 | 78 – 84% | Very Good |
| C+ | 2.50 | 71 – 77% | Good |
| C | 2.00 | 64 – 70% | Satisfactory |
| D+ | 1.50 | 57 – 63% | Satisfactory |
| D | 1.00 | 50 – 56% | Passed |
| F | 0.00 | Below 49% | Failed |
| AW | 0% | Authorized Withdrawal |
| Grade Point Equivalence | Equivalence | Description |
| 1.00 | 96% – 100% | Excellent |
| 1.25 | 94% – <95% | Very Good |
| 1.50 | 91% – <93% | Very Good |
| 1.75 | 88% – <90% | Good |
| 2.00 | 85% – <87% | Good |
| 2.25 | 83% – <84% | Good |
| 2.50 | 80% – <82% | Fair |
| 2.75 | 78% – <79% | Fair |
| 3.00 | 75% – <77% | Pass |
| 5.00 | Below 75% | Failure |
| INC | Incomplete | |
| NA | No Attendance | |
| UW | Unauthorized Withdrawal | |
| DRP | Dropped | |
| NC | No Credit |
| Grade Point Equivalence | Equivalence | Description |
| 4.00 | 96 – 100% | Excellent |
| 3.50 | 90 – 95% | Very Good |
| 3.00 | 84 – 89% | Good |
| 2.50 | 78 – 83% | Above Satisfactory |
| 2.00 | 72 – 77% | Satisfactory |
| 1.50 | 66 - 71% | Fair |
| 1.00 | 60 – 65% | Passed |
| 0.00 | Failure | Failed |
| R | Repeat | Repeat/Failed |
| DR | Officially Dropped | Officially Dropped |
| W | Unofficially Dropped | Unofficially Dropped |
| INC | Incomplete | Incomplete |
| Numerical Grade Point | Equivalent Percentage | Description |
| 4.0, 3.9, 3.8 | 97 – 100% | Excellent |
| 3.7, 3.6, 3.5, 3.4 3.3 | 93 – 96% | Superior |
| 3.2, 3.9, 3.0, 2.9, 2.8 | 89 – 92% | Good |
| 2.7, 2.6, 2.5, 2.4, 2.3 | 85 – 88% | Above Average |
| 2.2, 2.1, 2.0, 1.9, 1.8 | 81 – 84% | Average |
| 1.7, 1.6, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3 | 77 – 80% | Below Average |
| 1.2, 1.1, 1.0 | 73 – 76% | Passing |
| 0.0 | 72 and below | Failure |
| Grade Point Equivalence | Description | Equivalence |
| 4.00 | Excellent | 97% – 100% |
| 3.50 | Superior | 93% – 96% |
| 3.00 | Very Good | 89% – 92% |
| 2.50 | Good | 85% – 88% |
| 2.00 | Satisfactory | 80% – 84% |
| 1.50 | Fair | 75% – 79% |
| 1.00 | Pass | 70% – 74% |
| 0.00 | Fail | Below 70% |
| Latin Honors | Grade Point Equivalence Range |
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.800 – 4.000 |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.600 – 3.799 |
| Cum Laude | 3.400 – 3.599 |
Other universities, such as the Ateneo de Manila University and its sister schools, use the letter grade system with varied grade equivalence range.
| Latin Honors | Grade Point Equivalence Range |
| Summa Cum Laude | 1.00 – 1.20 |
| Magna Cum Laude | >1.21 – 1.45 |
| Cum Laude | >1.45 – 1.75 |
| Grade Point Equivalence | Equivalence | Description |
| 1.00 | 96% – 100% | Excellent |
| 1.25 | 94% – <95% | Very Good |
| 1.50 | 92% – <93% | Very Good |
| 1.75 | 89% – <91% | Good |
| 2.00 | 87% – <88% | Good |
| 2.25 | 84% – <86% | Good |
| 2.50 | 82% – <83% | Fair |
| 2.75 | 79% – <81% | Fair |
| 3.00 | 75% – <78% | Pass |
| 5.00 | Below 75% | Failure |
| INC | Incomplete | |
| FA | Failure due to Absences | |
| WP | Withdrew with Permission | |
| WF | Withdrew without Permission |
| Latin Honors | Grade Point Equivalence Range | Equivalence |
| Summa Cum Laude | 1.00 – 1.50 | 92% and above |
| Magna Cum Laude | 1.51 – 1.85 | 88.5% to 91.9% |
| Cum Laude | 1.86 – 2.10 | 86% to 88.4% |
Prerequisite for UST's Latin Honors or Dean's Lister distinction are the following: QPI should be at least 86%, no grade below 80% for any subject in the given semester, and the student should obtain a good moral character.
| Grade Point Equivalence | Equivalence | Description |
| 1.00 | 98% – 100% | Excellent |
| 1.25 | 95% – <98% | Very Good |
| 1.50 | 92% - <95% | Very Good |
| 1.75 | 89% - <92% | Good |
| 2.00 | 86% – <89% | Good |
| 2.25 | 83% – <86% | Good |
| 2.50 | 80% – <83% | Fair |
| 2.75 | 78% – <80% | Fair |
| 3.00 | 75% - <78% | Pass |
| 5.00 | Below 75% | Failure |
| INC | Incomplete | |
| EXM | Exempted from NSTP | |
| DV | Withdrew with Permission | |
| DF | Withdrew without Permission |
The Grading System of San Beda University is zero-based in nature which implies no transmutations are to be made.
The description mentioned in the table was based on Tarlac State University Student Handbook.In addition, the grade of "INC"is given if a student whose class standing for the semester is passing, fails to take the final examination or fails to complete other course requirements for valid reason.
Letter grade system
| Quality Point Equivalence | Letter Grade Equivalence | % Equivalence |
| 4.0 | A | 92% – 100% |
| 3.5 | B+ | 88% – 91% |
| 3.0 | B | 84% – 85% |
| 2.5 | C+ | 80% – 83% |
| 2.0 | C | 76% – 79% |
| 1.0 | D | 72% – 75% |
| 0.0 | F | 71% and lower |
| Grade Point Equivalence | Letter Grade Equivalence | % Equivalence |
| 4.0 | A | 92% – 100% |
| 3.5 | B+ | 87% – 91% |
| 3.0 | B | 83% – 86% |
| 2.5 | C+ | 79% – 82% |
| 2.0 | C | 75% – 78% |
| 1.0 | D | 70% – 74% |
| 0.0 | F | below 70% |
Most academic departments in the university follow a grading system with the 70% passing grade. Some departments, such as the Department of Finance and Accounting and departments from the Ateneo School of Science and Engineering follow a 50% or 60% passing grade.
| Latin Honors | Grade Point Equivalence Range |
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.87 – 4.00 |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.70 – 3.86 |
| Cum Laude | 3.50 – 3.69 |
More importantly, Philippine universities do not have standard grade equivalence. Different universities have varied equivalence range, while passing grades are subject to imposed academic quality of an institution.
| Grade Point Equivalence | Letter Grade Equivalence | % Equivalence |
| 4.0 | A | 94% – 100% |
| 3.7 | A− | 90% – 93% |
| 3.3 | B+ | 87% – 89% |
| 3.0 | B | 83% – 86% |
| 2.7 | B− | 80% – 82% |
| 2.3 | C+ | 77% – 79% |
| 2.0 | C | 73% – 76% |
| 1.7 | C− | 70% – 72% |
| 1.3 | D+ | 67% – 69% |
| 1.0 | D | 63% – 66% |
| 0.7 | D− | 60% – 62% |
| 0.0 | F | below 60% |