A grade is a mark that shows how well a student did. It might be a letter, a number, or a label like pass or fail. Grades summarize performance on tests, papers, projects, and participation. They are a shorthand, and like all shorthand, they lose detail.

Grading systems vary. In the US, A through F is common. In the UK, firsts, upper seconds, and lower seconds mark degrees. Many countries use a 1 to 10 or 1 to 100 scale. Some schools use standards-based grading, where the grade reflects mastery of specific skills rather than an average of points.

Grades matter for advancement, admission, and scholarships. They can also motivate or discourage. A student who gets a C may work harder. Or they may decide they are bad at the subject and give up. Teachers know this. How they assign and explain grades shapes what students believe about themselves.

Common grading scales

• Letter grades: A, B, C, D, F
• Percentage grades: 0 to 100
• GPA: grade point average
• Pass/fail
• Standards-based or mastery grading