College Grading System
In colleges, grades are a key part of how students are judged and guided in their learning. They show how much a student has understood and achieved in their courses. The College grading system in Philippines has a distinct setup. It uses a mix of methods to fairly reflect a student’s overall academic performance.
The grading system in college in the Philippines usually uses a scale from 1.0 to 5.0. A grade of 1.0 means excellent performance, while 5.0 means the student has failed. This is known as the GWA (General Weighted Average) system. Each number grade has a meaning that helps clearly show how well a student is doing in their subjects.
Table of Contents
Basic Grading System Use In Philippines
Take a look at the basic grading system in college in the Philippines.
| Grades | %age | Description (General) | USA Grading |
| 1 | 99-100% | Excellent | 100-95=A+ |
| 1.25 | 96-98 | Outstanding | – |
| 1.5 | 93-95 | Superior | 95-90=B+ |
| 1.75 | 90-92 | Very Good | – |
| 2 | 87-89 | Good | 89-85=B |
| 2.25 | 84-86 | Satisfactory | – |
| 2.5 | 81-83 | Fairly Satisfactory | 84-80=C |
| 2.75 | 78-80 | Fair | – |
| 3 | 75-77 | Pass | – |
| 5 | < 75 | Fail | F |
How College Grading System Works
In the Philippines, some colleges use a 4-point grading system known as the GPA (Grade Point Average). This is similar to the system used in countries like the United States. In the GPA system, grades range from 0.0 to 4.0:
- 4.0 is the highest grade
- 0.0 means failing
- An average score is around 2.5, which is a passing grade
- A GPA above 3.0 is considered above average and reflects good performance
Read More: Department of Education Philippines.
However, most colleges in the Philippines still follow the traditional 5.0 grading scale, called the GWA (General Weighted Average) system:
- 1.0 is the highest grade
- 3.0 is the minimum passing grade
- 5.0 means failure
If you are using the GPA system and want to convert it to GWA, or vice versa, there are simple ways to convert between the two systems. Many universities provide conversion tables to help students understand how their grades compare.
| Description | Scale | Scale 2 | US Grade |
| Superior | 6.00 | A+ | |
| Excellent | 4 – 5 | 96 – 100 | A |
| Above Average | 3.50 – 4 | 90 – 95 | B |
| Average | 2.50 – 3 | 84 – 89 | C |
| Below Average | 1.50 – 2 | 78 – 83 | C- |
| Bad Performance | 1.00 | 75 – 77 | D |
| Fail | 0.00 | 0.00 – 74 | F |
Miriam College Grading System
| Description | Grade | Scale | Grades in US |
| Excellent | A | 96 – 100 | A |
| Excellent | A- | 90 – 95 | A- |
| Very Good | B+ | 87 – 89 | B+ |
| Very Good | B | 85 – 86 | B |
| Good | B- | 83 – 84 | B- |
| Good | C+ | 80 – 82 | C+ |
| Passed | C | 78 – 79 | C |
| Passed | C- | 75 – 77 | C- |
| Failure | D | 60 – 74 | F |
| Failure | F | 0 – 59 | F |
| S | S |
San Juan de Letran College
Check The Mark OF Grading system In college In Philippines
| DRP/DROP | Dropped |
| NA | Never Appeared |
| INC | Incomplete |
| FDA | Failure Due to Absences |
| 5W | Withdrawal |
| WF | Withdrawal without Permission |
| WP | Withdrawal with Permission |
Mark OF Grading system
General Components Of College Grading System
Number Grades
Colleges in the Philippines use a number-based grading scale from 1.0 to 5.0. Each number reflects a level of performance, like Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Fail. These numbers help schools assess how well a student is doing in each subject.
Weighted Average System
Instead of simply averaging grades, the system gives more importance to courses with more credit units. To find the weighted average, you multiply each subject’s grade by its number of units, add them all together, then divide by the total number of units. This gives a more accurate picture of a student’s performance.
Term and Overall GPA
Students receive a GPA (Grade Point Average) at the end of each semester, which shows how they did during that term. A cumulative GPA combines all previous semesters to give a full view of a student’s academic record over time.
Passing and Failing Marks
In general, a 3.0 is the lowest passing grade. However, some schools or courses might require a higher grade to pass. Scores like 4.0 or 5.0 mean the student did not pass, and they may need to retake the subject.
Calculate: GWA here.
Conclusion
The general grading policies in the Philippines help ensure that student performance is measured fairly and clearly. Key parts of the system, such as numeric grades, weighted averages, semester and overall GPA, and passing rules, work together to create a consistent and reliable method for grading.
These rules not only guide how students are evaluated but also help them understand where they stand in their studies. Overall, the system supports honest assessment and helps maintain the quality of education in colleges and universities throughout the country.
FAQs
How does the college grading system work in the Philippines?
The grading scale in most Philippine colleges goes from 1.0 to 5.0, where 1.0 is the highest score and 5.0 means failure.
Is the grading system the same in all Philippine colleges?
Most colleges use the same 1.0 to 5.0 system. Some universities also use the GPA system (0.0 to 4.0).
Can failing grades be retaken?
Yes, students are usually allowed to retake subjects they failed, especially if the course is required for graduation.
What should I do if I think my GWA is wrong or unfair?
In case of a mistake in your GWA, you should talk to your teacher or the registrar’s office.
What steps can I take to improve my GWA?
To improve your GWA, you should focus on subjects with higher credit units, manage your time wisely.
