Grading Systems Worldwide: Comparison of Different Countries
Overview of school grading systems in different countries and their comparison with the Swiss system
Grading systems vary significantly from country to country. In Switzerland, 6 is the best grade and 4 is the passing threshold. Here you can see how other countries grade.
Switzerland (Our System)
In Switzerland, a system from 6 (best grade) to 1 (worst grade) is used - the opposite of the German system. A 4 is considered passing.
Austria
In Austria, a system from 1 (very good) to 5 (insufficient) is used. It is very similar to the German system but has one grade less.
USA
In the USA, the A, B, C, D, F system is used, where A is the best grade and F stands for failing. Additionally, the GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated on a scale of 0-4.0.
United Kingdom
In the UK, various systems are used. At universities, the classification First Class (70%+), Upper Second (60-69%), Lower Second (50-59%), Third (40-49%), and Fail is common.
France
In France, a system from 0 to 20 points is used. 10 points is considered passing, 16+ is very good. The average level is typically 12-14 points.
Summary
Each country has its own grading system. It's important to understand that a 'good' grade is relative - in Switzerland 5 is good, in Germany 2 is good. Use our calculator for your Swiss grades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grade Conversion
- How do I convert a German 2 to a Swiss grade?
- A German 2 corresponds to approximately a Swiss 5 (both are 'good'). The scales are mirrored: DE 1-6 ↔ CH 6-1.
- How does the American GPA work?
- The GPA is a weighted average on a scale of 0-4.0. An A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0. A GPA of 3.5+ is considered excellent.
- What is a good grade in France?
- In France: 10-11 = sufficient, 12-13 = satisfactory, 14-15 = good, 16-17 = very good, 18+ = excellent. Grades above 16 are rare.
- Are foreign grades recognized in Switzerland?
- Recognition depends on the institution. For official recognition, contact SBFI (State Secretariat for Education) or swiss universities.