Grading System Explained
Effective September 1, 2003, the university implemented a letter grading system with a four-point scale of numerical equivalents for calculating grade point averages. 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 (effective September 1, 2003) |
Course Grades Obtained by Undergraduate Students |
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 |
Course Grades Obtained by Graduate Students |
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 |
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 behavior |
9 | failure, disciplinary sanction for serious instances of inappropriate academic behavior (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 Section 23.4 of the University Calendar.
9 Point Grading System (prior to September 2003) |
Course Grades Obtained by Undergraduate Students |
9 | Outstanding | |
8 | Excellent | |
7 | Very Good | |
6 | Good | |
5 | Satisfactory | |
Pass | 4 | Minimally Acceptable |
Fail | 3 | Unsatisfactory |
2 | Unsatisfactory | |
1 | Unsatisfactory |
Course Grades Obtained by Graduate Students |
9 | Excellent | |
8 | Excellent | |
7 | Good | |
Pass | 6 | Satisfactory |
Fail | 5 | Unsatisfactory |
4 | Unsatisfactory | |
3 | Unsatisfactory | |
2 | Unsatisfactory | |
1 | Unsatisfactory |
In addition to the numeric grades described above, the University of Alberta recorded the following non-numeric grades and remarks:
Final Grades
AE | aegrotat standing |
AU | registered as an auditor |
AW | registered as an auditor and withdrew |
CR | completed requirements; no numeric grade assigned |
DB | debarred from final examination; results in a grade of 1 |
EX | exempt |
F | failure; no numeric grade assigned |
IN | incomplete |
INF | incomplete, failed; results in a grade of 1 |
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) |
W | withdrew with permission |
Remarks
A | indicates missed final examination, term work missed, or both |
D | granted a deferred final examination |
F | failure |
FI | failure, inappropriate academic behavior |
N | credit withheld |
R | granted a reexamination |
+ | extra to degree requirements |
* | course used by Faculty of Law to satisfy written work requirement |
