The Grading System

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

• grading system
• convert
• academic performance
• scale

• calculate
• GPA
• graduated
• boost

• transcript

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

A few weeks ago there was a wonderful question on the message boards about the grading system in American schools.
We thought it might useful for you to know more about this topic, so listen in and read along to the lesson below!

Dialog

1. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Most schools in the United States use similar grading systems. Students are given a letter grade which indicates how well they did in the class. An “A” is the best grade a student can get. An “F” means the student failed, and did not pass the class.
A COMMON GRADING SCALE
A ...... 90% to 100%
B ...... 80% to 89%
C ...... 70% to 79%
D ...... 60% to 69%
F ...... 59% and lower
If you want to try and convert your academic performance in your home country to US standards, here are a few helpful tips. Use the scale above to determine what grades you received in classes you have taken. You need to be able to tell schools the grades you have received. Once you know your grades, you can ask someone to help you calculate your GPA.
Schools are also interested in knowing if you graduated in the top 5 or 10 percent of your class. They will also want to know if you are an A, B or C average student. If you have a lower average than this, you probably need to take a few more classes to boost your transcript before you apply to school in the United States.

 

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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