Grading System in the Philippines: K–12 and University
The grading system in the Philippines uses different scales. In K–12 (DepEd), grades are given in percentages, with 75% as the minimum passing grade (raw score of 60 transmuted to 75). In colleges and universities, the most common scales are 1.00–5.00 (1.00 highest, 3.00 passing, 5.00 fail) and the 0.0–4.0 GPA scale in some institutions.
K–12 Grading System (DepEd)
In the K–12 system managed by the Department of Education (DepEd), student grades are recorded in percentages.
- Passing rule: A raw score of 60% is transmuted to 75%, which is the official passing grade shown on report cards .
- Scale:
- 90–100 → Outstanding
- 85–89 → Very Satisfactory
- 80–84 → Satisfactory
- 75–79 → Fairly Satisfactory
- Below 75 → Did Not Meet Expectations
This means even if you score below 75 in raw numbers, as long as you meet the minimum transmuted threshold (60), you will officially pass.
Tertiary Grading Systems Overview
At the college and university level, grading systems vary by institution. The two most widely used are:
1.00–5.00 Numeric Scale
- 1.00 → Excellent / Highest mark
- 1.25–2.00 → Very Good to Good
- 2.25–2.75 → Average to Fair
- 3.00 → Passing mark (though some schools may adjust slightly)
- 5.00 → Fail
This is the most common system used in public universities like University of the Philippines (UP) and UST .
0.0–4.0 GPA-Style Scale
Some universities, like De La Salle University (DLSU), follow the American-style GPA system.
- 4.0 → Highest grade (Excellent)
- 3.5 → Superior
- 3.0 → Very Good
- 2.0 → Satisfactory
- 1.0 → Pass
- 0.0 → Fail
Examples of University Grading Systems
University of Santo Tomas (UST)
UST uses the 1.00–5.00 scale with specific grade bands:
- 1.00 → 96–100 (Excellent)
- 1.25 → 94–95 (Very Good)
- 1.50 → 92–93 (Fairly Good)
- 1.75 → 89–91 (Above Average)
- 2.00 → 86–88 (Average)
- 3.00 → 75–78 (Pass)
- 5.00 → Below 75 (Fail)
De La Salle University (DLSU)
DLSU follows the 0.0–4.0 GPA scale:
- 4.0 → Excellent
- 3.5 → Superior
- 3.0 → Very Good
- 2.5 → Good
- 2.0 → Satisfactory
- 1.0 → Pass
- 0.0 → Fail
Conversion Cheat Sheets
|
1.00–5.00 Scale |
% Equivalent |
Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 |
96-100 |
Excellent |
|
1.50 |
92-93 |
Fairly Good |
|
2.00 |
86-88 |
Average |
|
3.00 |
75-78 |
Passing |
|
5.00 |
Below 75 |
Fail |
|
4.0 GPA Scale (DLSU) |
Descriptor |
|---|---|
|
4.0 |
Excellent |
|
3.5 |
Superior |
|
3.0 |
Very Good |
|
2.0 |
Satisfactory |
|
1.0 |
Pass |
|
0.0 |
Fail |
How GWA Fits Into the Grading System
The General Weighted Average (GWA) is calculated using your grades and the number of credit units per subject. It serves as the overall indicator of academic performance in college.
Formula:
\[ \text{GWA} = \frac{\sum ( \text{Grade} \times \text{Units} )}{\sum (\text{Units})} \]To save time, use our free GWA Calculator to instantly compute your GWA based on your university’s grading scale.
Also check:
FAQs About the Grading System in the Philippines
What is the passing grade in the Philippines (K–12)?
The minimum passing grade is 75%, but DepEd allows a raw score of 60% to be transmuted to 75.
Is 3.00 a passing grade in college?
Yes. On the 1.00–5.00 scale, 3.00 is the minimum passing grade in most universities .
Do all universities use the same grading system?
No. Some use the 1.00–5.00 scale, others use the 0.0–4.0 GPA scale. Always check your school’s handbook.
Is 1.75 a good grade?
Yes. A 1.75 typically corresponds to Above Average to Very Good performance.
The grading system in the Philippines is diverse: DepEd manages K–12 with percentage-based grades and a 75% passing threshold, while universities use either the 1.00–5.00 numeric scale or the 0.0–4.0 GPA scale.
Whatever your system, remember that your GWA ultimately reflects your academic performance. Compute it easily with our GWA Calculator and stay on track with your goals.
