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 and 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. 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 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.

Grade point scale (1.00–5.00)

Grade Point EquivalenceEquivalenceDescription
1.0097–100%Excellent
1.2594–96%Excellent
1.5091–93%Very Good
1.7588–90%Very Good
2.0085–87%Good
2.2582–84%Good
2.5079-81%Fair
2.7576-78%Fair
3.0075%Passing
5.00Below 75%Failure
INCIncomplete
WWithdrawal
DDropped

Grade Point EquivalenceEquivalenceDescription
1.0096–100%Excellent
1.2594–95%Very Good
1.5091–93%Very Good
1.7588–90%Good
2.0085–87%Good
2.2583–84%Good
2.5080–82%Fair
2.7578–79%Fair
3.0075–77%Pass
5.00Below 75%Failure
INCIncomplete
NANo Attendance
UWUnauthorized Withdrawal
DRPDropped
NCNo Credit

STI College Grade Point System
Other universities, such as the Ateneo de Manila University and its sister schools, use the letter grade system with varied grade equivalence range.
Grade Point
Equivalence		EquivalenceDescription
1.0096–100%Excellent
1.2594–95%Very Good
1.5092–93%Very Good
1.7589–91%Good
2.0087–88%Good
2.2584–86%Good
2.5082–83%Fair
2.7579–81%Fair
3.0075–78%Pass
5.00Below 75%Failure
INCIncomplete
FAFailure due to Absences
WPWithdrew with Permission
WFWithdrew without Permission

Grade Point EquivalenceEquivalenceDescription
1.0098–100%Excellent
1.2595–98%Very Good
1.5092–95%Very Good
1.7589–92%Good
2.0086–89%Good
2.2583–86%Good
2.5080–83%Fair
2.7578–80%Fair
3.0075–78%Pass
5.00Below 75%Failure
INCIncomplete
EXMExempted from NSTP
DVWithdrew with Permission
DFWithdrew 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.
Grade SymbolsDescription US Equivalence
1.00ExcellentExcellentA+ = 4.00
1.25Highly MeritoriousVery SatisfactoryA = 4.00
1.50Very SatisfactorySatisfactoryA− = 3.75
1.75SatisfactoryLowest Satisfactory GradeB+ = 3.30
2.00Lowest Satisfactory GradePoor PerformanceB = 3.00
2.25Poor PerformancePoor PerformanceB− = 2.75
2.50Poor PerformancePoor PerformanceC+ = 2.30
2.75Poor PerformancePoor PerformanceC = 2.00
3.00Poor PerformancePoor PerformanceC = 2.00
5.00FailureFailureF = 0.00
CContinuingContinuing
IIncompleteIncomplete
WOfficial WithdrawalOfficial Withdrawal
IPIn ProgressIn Progress
PPassedPassed
FFailedFailed
AuAuditAudit

Grade point scale (4.00–1.00)

Written GradeGrade Point EquivalenceEquivalenceDescription
A4.0092–100%Excellent
B+3.5085–91%Very Good
B3.0078–84%Very Good
C+2.5071–77%Good
C2.0064–70%Satisfactory
D+1.5057–63%Satisfactory
D1.0050–56%Passed
F0.00Below 49%Failed
AW0%Authorized Withdrawal

Grade Point EquivalenceEquivalenceDescription
4.0096–100%Excellent
3.5090–95%Very Good
3.0084–89%Good
2.5078–83%Above Satisfactory
2.0072–77%Satisfactory
1.5066–71%Fair
1.0060–65%Passed
0.00FailureFailed
R< 60%Repeat/Failed
DROfficially DroppedOfficially Dropped
INCIncompleteIncomplete

Numerical Grade PointEquivalent PercentageDescription
3.8–4.097–100%Excellent
3.3–3.793–96%Superior
2.8–3.289–92%Good
2.3–2.785–88%Above Average
1.8–2.281–84%Average
1.3–1.777–80%Below Average
1.0–1.273–76%Passing
0.072 and belowFailure

Grade Point
Equivalence		EquivalenceDescription
4.0097–100%Excellent
3.5093–96%Superior
3.0089–92%Very Good
2.5085–88%Good
2.0080–84%Satisfactory
1.5075–79%Fair
1.0070–74%Pass
0.00Below 70%Fail

Grade Point
Equivalence		DescriptionEquivalence
Equivalence
Notes
4.00Excellent95–100%97–100%
3.50Superior89–94%93–96%Minimum cumulative and term GPA for University Honors List at the same trimester
3.00Very Good83–88%89–92%Minimum term GPA to be eligible for Dean's Honors List
2.50Good78–82%85–88%
2.00Satisfactory72–77%80–84%Minimum course grade to be eligible for University and Dean's Honors List
1.50Fair66–71%75–79%
1.00Passed60–65%70–74%
0.00FailedBelow 60%Below 70%
9.90DeferredFor thesis/practicum courses only.
INCIncompleteFor students who fail to complete their enrolled course.
PPassFor pass/fail courses only.
FFailFor pass/fail courses only.
DDeferred
WWithdrawn

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.
De La Salle University-Dasmariñas 'Grade Point System'
Grade Point
Equivalence		EquivalenceNotes
4.0098–100%
3.7595–97%
3.5092–94%Minimum semester GPA to be eligible for Dean's Honor List 1st Honors
3.2589–91%
3.0086–88%Minimum semester GPA to be eligible for Dean's Honor List 2nd Honors
2.7583–85%
2.5080–82%
2.2577-79%
2.0074-76%
1.7571-73%
1.5068-70%
1.2564-67%
1.0060-63%
0.00Below 60%Fail due to:
  • Inability to satisfy the minimum requirements of the subject/s
  • Excessive absences

Letter grade system

Quality Point EquivalenceLetter Grade Equivalence% Equivalence
4.0A92–100%
3.5B+88–91%
3.0B84–85%
2.5C+80–83%
2.0C76–79%
1.0D72–75%
0.0F71% and lower

Grade Point EquivalenceLetter Grade Equivalence% Equivalence
4.0A92–100%
3.5B+87–91%
3.0B83–86%
2.5C+79–82%
2.0C75–78%
1.0D70–74%
0.0Fbelow 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.
Grade Point EquivalenceLetter Grade Equivalence% Equivalence
4.0A94–100%
3.7A−90–93%
3.3B+87–89%
3.0B83–86%
2.7B−80–82%
2.3C+77–79%
2.0C73–76%
1.7C−70–72%
1.3D+67–69%
1.0D63–66%
0.7D−60–62%
0.0Fbelow 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.
Latin HonorsGrade Point Equivalence Range
Summa Cum Laude3.800–4.000
Magna Cum Laude3.600–3.799
Cum Laude3.400–3.599
Honorable Mention3.200–3.399

Latin HonorsGrade Point Equivalence Range
Summa Cum Laude1.20–1.00
Magna Cum Laude1.45–1.21
Cum Laude1.75–1.46

Latin HonorsGrade Point Equivalence RangeEquivalence
Summa Cum Laude1.00–1.5092% and above
Magna Cum Laude1.51–1.8588.5% to 91.9%
Cum Laude1.86–2.1086% 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.
Latin HonorsGrade Point Equivalence Range
Summa Cum Laude3.87–4.00
Magna Cum Laude3.70–3.86
Cum Laude3.50–3.69
Honorable Mention3.35–3.49