Grading System in the Philippines – For School, College, and University
The grading system in the Philippines uses numerical values to evaluate students’ academic performance. It focuses on progress and mastery of skills rather than a simple pass/fail approach.
This system helps students track their progress and set goals while providing institutions with a standardized way to assess performance.
Grading System in the Philippines
Types of Grading Systems in the Philippines
The Philippines primarily uses two grading systems: the 5-point scale and the 4-point scale. Most public schools follow the 5-point scale, while some private schools, colleges, and universities use the 4-point scale.
4-Point Scale
This is the most widely used grading system. It assigns the following letter grades:
- A = 4.00 (Excellent)
- B = 3.00 (Good)
- C = 2.00 (Fair)
- D = 1.00 (Passing)
- F = 0.00 (Failing)
5-Point Scale
This system is commonly used in private schools. The grades are as follows:
- 1.00 = Excellent
- 1.25 = Very Good
- 1.50 = Good
- 1.75 = Fair
- 2.00 = Passing
- 2.25 = Barely Passing
- 2.50 = Deficient
- 3.00 = Fail
Difference Between the Philippines and Other Grading Systems
The Philippines’ 5-point scale differs from systems used in countries like the United States and Canada, where the 4-point scale is more common.
- In the Philippines, 1.0 GWA is considered the highest grade (Excellent).
- In the U.S., 4.0 GPA is the top grade (Excellent).
- In the Philippines, a grade of 2.49 or above is considered a satisfactory passing grade.
- In the U.S., a grade of 2.5 or above is considered passing.
- In the Philippines, 5.00 is a failing grade.
- In the U.S., 0.00 is a failing grade.
Updated Grading System in the Philippines
Here is the revised grading system currently used in the Philippines for evaluating student performance:
Grading System at the University of the Philippines
Grading System at Central Colleges of the Philippines
Grading System at STI College
University of Santo Tomas (UST) Grade Point System
San Beda University Grading System
School Grading System in the Philippines
Elementary and high schools in the Philippines use the 5-point grading system. The lowest passing grade is 2.50, equivalent to a “C.” A grade of 90 or above is considered excellent.
| Grade Scale | Grade Description | U.S. Grade Equivalence |
| A (97-100)/1.00 | Excellent | A |
| A- (94-96)/1.50 | Very Good | A |
| B+ (91-93)/1.75 | Good | A- |
| B (88-90)/2.00 | Above Average | B+ |
| B- (85-87)/2.25 | Average | B- |
| C+ (80-84)/2.50 | Below Average | C |
| C or D* (75-79)/3.00 | Barely Pass | D |
| D* or F (0-74)/4.00 | Fail | F |
College Grading System
Colleges in the Philippines typically use the 5-point scale, though grading criteria may vary between institutions. The lowest passing grade is usually 75-77, but some colleges may require higher grades.
University Grading System
Universities in the Philippines also follow the 5-point scale. The passing grade is generally 75-77, though this may differ across universities. For example, the University of the Philippines has its own grading standards. Students from other universities, such as PUP or De La Salle, should check their respective grading systems.
Key Takeaways
- The grading system in the Philippines uses numerical values to assess academic performance.
- The 1.00 to 5.00 scale provides precise evaluation of student achievements.
- Universities like the University of the Philippines set high standards for grading.
- Specialized institutions, such as De La Salle University, may have subject-specific grading criteria.
- Letter grades accompany numerical values to provide qualitative insights.
- The grading system remains a vital tool in higher education.
Conclusion
The grading system in the Philippines is a structured way to measure students’ academic performance. Understanding this system helps students set realistic goals and monitor their progress effectively.
