Grading Definitions at Top-Ranked Universities
A+, A, and A-
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
GRADE DEFINITION
A+ The A+ grade is used only in very rare instances for the recognition of truly exceptional achievement. For example:
A term paper receiving an A+ is virtually indistinguishable from the work of a professional, both in its choice of paper
stock and its font. Every single word in the paper is spelt correctly; those that are not can be reasoned out phonetically
within minutes. Finally, the A+ grade is awarded to all collages, dioramas and other art projects. The instructor may at
her discretion supplement the A+ with one or two additional pluses (A++ or A+++). This grade is known as the A+ with
garlands.
A The A grade, still exceptional, is reserved for work that is nearly as excellent as that receiving the A+ and that would
receive the higher grade if not for some minor and easily excused flaw, such as that the student is not enrolled at
Harvard
A- The A– grade is awarded to work that, while very good, is nevertheless diminished by a significant flaw that cannot be
completely overlooked. An A– term paper might offer an original analysis of a complex topic, but exist only within the
imagination of the instructor or the student, or, in some rare instances, both.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
A+ Exceptional Significantly exceeds the highest expectations for undergraduate work
A Outstanding Meets the highest standards for the assignment or course
A- Excellent Meets very high standards for the assignment or course
TEACHERS COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF COLUMBIA
GRADE DEFINITION
A+ Rare performance. It is reserved for highly exceptional, rare achievements
A Excellent. This is awarded to outstanding achievement in a coursework
A- Excellent work but not quite outstanding.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Percentage Letter Grade Definition
90-100 A+ Excellent: Strong evidence of original thinking; good organization; capacity to analyze and
85-89 A synthesize; superior grasp of subject matter with sound critical evaluations; evidence of
80-84 A- extensive knowledge base.
B+, B, and B-
Princeton University
B+ Very good Meets high standards for the assignment or course
B Good Meets most of the assignment or course
B- More than adequate More than adequate; shows some reasonable command of the material
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
77-79 B+ Good: Evidence of grasp of subject matter, some evidence of critical capacity and analytic
ability; reasonable understanding of relevant issues; evidence of familiarity with literature.
73-76 B
70-72 B-
TEACHERS COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF COLUMBIA
B+ Very good. Solid achievement is expected of most graduate students
B Good. Acceptable achievement
B- Acceptable achievement but below what is generally expected of graduate students
C+, C and C-
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
C+ Acceptable Meets basic standards for the assignment or course
C Acceptable Meets some of the basic standards for the assignment or course
C- Acceptable While acceptable, falls short of meeting basic standards in several ways
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
67-69 C+ Adequate: Student who is profiting from his/her university experience; understanding of the
63-66 C subject matter; ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material
60-62 C-
TEACHERS COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF COLUMBIA
C+ Fair achievement, above minimally acceptable level
C Fair achievement but only minimally acceptable
C- Very low performance. The records of students receiving such grades are subject to review. The result of this review
could be denial of permission to register for further study at Teachers College. No more than 3 points of C- may be
credited toward any degree or diploma. Students completing requirements for more than one degree or diploma may
count 3 points of C- toward only one such award. A student who accumulates 8 points or more in C- or lower grades
will not be permitted to continue study at the College and will not be awarded a degree or diploma.
OTHER GRADING DEFINITIONS AND SYSTEMS
YALE UNIVERSITY
The grading system consists of Honors (H), High Pass (HP), Pass (P), and Fail (F). The school employs a standard set of
definitions for each grade. Criteria for assessment of learning are the prerogative of individual faculty; however, the School uses a
standard numerical system for converting scored tests and assignments to the grading system, as follows:
H Honors (92–100) , HP High Pass (83–91.99), P Pass (74– 82.99), F Fail (73.99 and below)
H Honors Superior graduate-level performance. Superior performance is maintained with new or complex material.
(92–100) Consistently demonstrates complete and accurate understanding and application of knowledge and
skills. Synthesizes and integrates data from relevant disciplines and evidence-based sources to make
decisions. Independently and appropriately initiates and follows through with learning opportunities.
HP High Pass Above-average graduate-level performance. Deals with new or complex material when periodic
(83–91.99) consultation is given. Demonstrates conceptual and accurate understanding and application of
theoretical knowledge and skills. Uses information from relevant disciplines and evidence-based sources
when developing a database or making decisions but does not always achieve synthesis and true
integration. Follows suggestions about opportunities that will enhance learning.
P Pass Pass (P) Meets requirements as derived from course objectives. Demonstrates adequate understanding
(74– 82.99) and application of theoretical knowledge and skill.
F Fail Fail (F) Does not meet requirements as derived from course objectives. No credit is given for the course.
(73.99 and
below)
NB
CARLETON COLLEGE does not formally provide a definition of the standard for each grade level. Most undergraduate students
in our faculty are qualified for and admitted to Honours programs, in which the minimum cumulative grade point average required
in the major for graduation is 6.5 (between a C+ and a B-). Typical understanding is that an A grade denotes excellence, a B is
good to very good, C is acceptable, and a D grade is barely a passing grade- CARLETON COLLEGE WEBSITE
STANDFORD UNIVERSITY merely gives a brief description of the grades
Grade Description
A (+,-) Represents excellent performance.
B (+,-) Represents good performance.
C (+,-) Represents satisfactory performance.
D (+,-) Represents minimal pass performance.
REED COLLEGE
The grades that Reed records in students' official records reflect a conventional grading system. The following designations are
used to report final grades for undergraduate work.
A Excellent; also A+ and A-
B Above average; also B+ and B-
C Average; also C+ and C-
