Overview of 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 (failing mark). 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. 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.
K–12 (Kindergarten and Basic Education) always uses the Percent Grade, Letter Grade, or both.
GWA (general weighted average; similar to GPA) is a representation (often numerical) 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.[1][2]
Grade point scale (1.00–5.00)
University of the Philippines Grading Point System[3]
Grade Point
Equivalence
|
Grade Letter
Equivalence
|
Equivalence
|
GPA
Equivalence
|
Description
|
1
|
A+
|
99–100%
|
4.000
|
Excellent
|
1.25
|
A
|
96–98%
|
3.625–3.999
|
Very Good
|
1.5
|
A
|
93–95%
|
3.250–3.624
|
1.75
|
A-
|
90–92%
|
2.875–3.249
|
Good
|
2.0
|
B+
|
87–89%
|
2.500–2.874
|
2.25
|
B
|
84–86%
|
2.125–2.499
|
Satisfactory
|
2.5
|
B-
|
81–83%
|
1.750–2.124
|
2.75
|
C+
|
78–80%
|
1.375–1.749
|
Pass
|
3.0
|
C
|
75.00–77.74%
|
1.000–1.374
|
4.0
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
Conditional
|
5.0
|
F
|
Below 60%
|
0.000
|
Fail
|
INC
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
Incomplete
|
Central Colleges of the Philippines Grade Point System
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
|
Other universities, such as the Ateneo de Manila University and its sister schools, use the letter grade system with varied grade equivalence range.
University of Santo Tomas Grade Point System
Grade Point
Equivalence
|
Equivalence |
Description
|
1.00 |
96–100% |
Excelent
|
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 (Failure)
|
San Beda University Grade Point System
(Effective since AY 2014-2015)
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 (No Final Examination)
|
EXM |
|
Exempted from NSTP
|
DV |
|
Withdrew with Permission
|
DF |
|
Withdrew without Permission (Failure)
|
The Grading System of San Beda University is zero-based in nature which implies no transmutations are to be made.
Tarlac State University
College of Engineering and Technology
Grade Point System
Grade Point Equivalence
|
Equivalence
|
Description
|
1.00
|
99–100%
|
Excellent
|
1.25
|
95–98%
|
Very Good
|
1.50
|
90–94%
|
1.75
|
85–89%
|
Good
|
2.00
|
80–84%
|
2.25
|
75–79%
|
Satisfactory
|
2.50
|
70–74%
|
2.75
|
65–69%
|
Passing
|
3.00
|
60–64%
|
5.00
|
<60%
|
Failing
|
INC
|
Incomplete
|
The description mentioned in the table was based on Tarlac State University (TSU) 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 (Chap. 8, Sec. 1, TSU Student Handbook).
Mapúa University Grade Point System
(Effective since AY 2021)[4]
Grade Symbols
|
Description (Master's and Diploma Programs |
Description (Doctoral Programs) |
US Equivalence (IERF)[5]
|
1.00 |
Excellent |
Excellent |
A+ = 4.00
|
1.25 |
Highly Meritorious |
Very Satisfactory |
A = 4.00
|
1.50 |
Very Satisfactory |
Satisfactory |
A− = 3.75
|
1.75 |
Satisfactory |
Lowest Satisfactory Grade |
B+ = 3.30
|
2.00 |
Lowest Satisfactory Grade |
Poor Performance |
B = 3.00
|
2.25 |
Poor Performance |
Poor Performance |
B− = 2.75
|
2.50 |
Poor Performance |
Poor Performance |
C+ = 2.30
|
2.75 |
Poor Performance |
Poor Performance |
C = 2.00
|
3.00 |
Poor Performance |
Poor Performance |
C = 2.00
|
5.00 |
Failure |
Failure |
F = 0.00
|
C |
Continuing |
Continuing |
|
I |
Incomplete |
Incomplete |
|
W |
Official Withdrawal |
Official Withdrawal |
|
IP |
In Progress |
In Progress |
|
P |
Passed |
Passed |
|
F |
Failed |
Failed |
|
Au |
Audit |
Audit |
|
Grade point scale (4.00–1.00)
Far Eastern University Grade Point System
(Effective since A.Y. 2013)[6]
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
|
National University-Manila Grade Point System[7][failed verification]
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 |
< 60% |
Repeat/Failed
|
DR |
Officially Dropped |
Officially Dropped
|
INC |
Incomplete |
Incomplete
|
Silliman University Grade Point System
(Effective since June 1992)
Numerical Grade Point |
Equivalent Percentage |
Description
|
3.8–4.0 |
97–100% |
Excellent
|
3.3–3.7 |
93–96% |
Superior
|
2.8–3.2 |
89–92% |
Good
|
2.3–2.7 |
85–88% |
Above Average
|
1.8–2.2 |
81–84% |
Average
|
1.3–1.7 |
77–80% |
Below Average
|
1.0–1.2 |
73–76% |
Passing
|
0.0 |
72 and below |
Failure
|
De La Salle University Grade Point System[8]
Grade Point
Equivalence
|
Description |
Equivalence |
Notes
|
4.00 |
Excellent |
95–100% |
|
3.50 |
Superior |
89–94.9% |
|
3.00 |
Very Good |
83–88.9% |
Minimum term GPA to be eligible for Dean's Honors List
|
2.50 |
Good |
78–82.9% |
|
2.00 |
Satisfactory |
72–77.9% |
Minimum course grade to be eligible for Dean's Honors List
|
1.50 |
Fair |
66–71.9% |
|
1.00 |
Passed |
60–65.9% |
|
0.00 |
Failed |
Below 60% |
|
INC |
Incomplete |
|
For students who fail to complete their enrolled course.
|
P |
Pass |
|
For pass/fail courses only.
|
F |
Fail |
|
For pass/fail courses only.
|
D |
Deferred |
|
|
W |
Withdrawn |
|
With No Fail Policy implemented.
|
5.0
|
Withdrawn
|
Student-initiated withdrawal.
|
6.5
|
Withdrawal due to failure.
|
While most courses at De La Salle University-Manila maintain the above table for a passing grade of 60%, there are some courses where the passing grade can also be 50%, 55%, 65%, or 70%, in which the grade point equivalences would vary.
Letter grade system
Ateneo de Davao University 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
|
Ateneo de Manila University Letter Grade System
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.
International School Manila Letter Grade System
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%
|
Latin Honors grade equivalences
Some Philippine universities and colleges give Latin honors in conveying the level of distinction that an academic degree has been earned.
De La Salle University-Manila, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Latin Honors[9]
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
|
Honorable Mention[10] |
3.
|
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Latin Honors
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.
Ateneo de Manila University Latin Honors
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
|
References