Grading System Explained
Since 2003, the university has used a four-point letter-grading system for calculating Grade Point Averages (GPA). (Grades in the nine-point grading system are retained on student records for terms that are prior to September 2003.)
Grade points reflect judgements of student achievement performance in a class. The instructors mark in terms of raw scores, rank the papers in order of merit, and assign an appropriate grade to each paper.
Letter Grading System (current system)
|
Descriptor |
Letter Grade |
Grade Point Value |
|
Excellent |
A+ A A- |
4.0 4.0 3.7 |
|
Good |
B+ B |
3.3 3.0 |
|
Satisfactory |
B- C+ |
2.7 2.3 |
|
Failure |
C C- D+ D F |
2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 0.0 |
| Descriptor | Letter Grade | Grade Point Value |
|
Excellent |
A+ A A- |
4.0 4.0 3.7 |
|
Good |
B+ B B- |
3.3 3.0 2.7 |
|
Satisfactory |
C+ C C- |
2.3 2.0 1.7 |
|
Poor |
D+ |
1.3 |
|
Minimal Pass |
D |
1.0 |
|
Failure |
F |
0.0 |
In addition to the letter grades described above, the University of Alberta currently records the following grades and remarks:
Final Grades
|
AE |
aegrotat standing |
|
AU |
registered as an auditor |
|
AW |
registered as an auditor and withdrew |
|
CR |
completed requirements, no grade point value assigned |
|
EX |
exempt |
|
IN |
incomplete |
|
IP |
course in progress (assigned to Part A of a Two-Term or One-Term A/B Course with the final grade assigned to Part B) |
|
IP* |
withdrew from or failed course in progress (assigned to Part A of a Two-Term or One-Term A/B Course where the final grade assigned to Part B is a withdrawal or failure) |
|
NC |
failure, no grade point value assigned |
|
W |
withdrew with permission |
Remarks
|
1 |
grade includes a mark of '0' for final examination missed, or for term work missed, or both |
|
2 |
grade includes a mark of '0' for final examination missed, or for term work missed, or both, and deferred final examination granted |
|
3 |
credit withheld |
|
4 |
reexamination granted |
|
5 |
failure (assigned to failing Graduate Student grades only) |
|
6 |
failure, grade includes a mark of '0' for final examination missed, or for term work missed, or both (assigned to failing Graduate Student grades only) |
|
7 |
failure, grade includes a mark of '0' for final examination missed, or for term work missed, or both, and deferred final examination granted (assigned to failing Graduate Student grades only) |
|
8 |
disciplinary sanction for serious instances of inappropriate academic behaviour |
|
9 |
failure, disciplinary sanction for serious instances of inappropriate academic behaviour (assigned in the same circumstances as the remark of 8 but to failing Graduate Student grades only) |
* Further discussion on the University of Alberta's evaluation procedures and grading system can be found in the University Calendar.
Grading System (Winter 2020 grades)
For post-secondary students applying to a program at the University of Alberta, grades issued for courses taken in Winter 2020, whether from the U of A or elsewhere, will not be included in the calculation of admission GPAs.
University of Alberta grades of CR from Winter 2020 will contribute to the credit requirements for admission and will be accepted as satisfying program prerequisites. A grade of NC, will not contribute to credit requirements for admission and will not satisfy program prerequisites.
Note: An exception to this is grades received in the January 2020 term at Augustana Campus. The term began and ended prior to the COVID-19 disruption. Any grade earned in an Augustana 3-week winter course was captured on your transcript and will contribute toward a GPA calculation.
Passing grades from Winter 2020 from other post-secondary institutions will contribute to the credit requirements for individual admissions, provided the grades meet the threshold required for transfer credit as outlined in the University Calendar, and will be accepted as satisfying program prerequisites.
This process will apply to applications that are in progress and any future University of Alberta applications that include a revised Winter 2020 grading scheme.
Academic standing regulations and categories continue to be determined by each Faculty. Please contact your faculty for more information.
Open Studies students, including students in Fresh Start, Transition Year Program (TYP) or Exceptional Athletes will find Academic Standing information at Open Studies Academic Standing for Winter 2020.
9-Point Grading System (pre-2003)
|
9 |
Outstanding |
|
|
8 |
Excellent |
|
|
7 |
Very Good |
|
|
6 |
Good |
|
|
5 |
Satisfactory |
|
|
Pass |
4 |
Minimally Acceptable |
|
Fail |
3 |
Unsatisfactory |
|
2 |
Unsatisfactory |
|
|
1 |
Unsatisfactory |
|
9 |
Outstanding |
|
|
8 |
Excellent |
|
|
7 |
Very Good |
|
|
6 |
Good |
|
|
5 |
Satisfactory |
|
|
Pass |
4 |
Minimally Acceptable |
|
Fail |
3 |
Unsatisfactory |
|
2 |
Unsatisfactory |
|
|
1 |
Unsatisfactory |
In addition to the letter grades described above, the University of Alberta currently records the following grades and remarks:
Final Grades
|
AE |
aegrotat standing |
|
AU |
registered as an auditor |
|
AW |
registered as an auditor and withdrew |
|
CR |
completed requirements, no grade point value assigned |
|
EX |
exempt |
|
IN |
incomplete |
|
IP |
course in progress (assigned to Part A of a Two-Term or One-Term A/B Course with the final grade assigned to Part B) |
|
IP* |
withdrew from or failed course in progress (assigned to Part A of a Two-Term or One-Term A/B Course where the final grade assigned to Part B is a withdrawal or failure) |
|
NC |
failure, no grade point value assigned |
|
W |
withdrew with permission |
Remarks
|
1 |
grade includes a mark of '0' for final examination missed, or for term work missed, or both |
|
2 |
grade includes a mark of '0' for final examination missed, or for term work missed, or both, and deferred final examination granted |
|
3 |
credit withheld |
|
4 |
reexamination granted |
|
5 |
failure (assigned to failing Graduate Student grades only) |
|
6 |
failure, grade includes a mark of '0' for final examination missed, or for term work missed, or both (assigned to failing Graduate Student grades only) |
|
7 |
failure, grade includes a mark of '0' for final examination missed, or for term work missed, or both, and deferred final examination granted (assigned to failing Graduate Student grades only) |
|
8 |
disciplinary sanction for serious instances of inappropriate academic behaviour |
|
9 |
failure, disciplinary sanction for serious instances of inappropriate academic behaviour (assigned in the same circumstances as the remark of 8 but to failing Graduate Student grades only) |
* Further discussion on the University of Alberta's evaluation procedures and grading system can be found in the University Calendar.