Explanation of Grading System - Office of the University Registrar

Grades based upon the following system of marking are the only authorized grades to be used on the Official Class Roll and Grade Report Form.

Undergraduate Grade Points

Letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F are used.
Pluses and minuses may be assigned to grades of B and C.
Minus may be assigned to an A, and plus may be assigned to a D.
Temporary grades of IN and AB do not affect grade point average.
Courses with a grade (or notation) of LP, PS, SP, BE, W or PL are ignored in establishing the quality point average.

Grade points are assigned as follows:

A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.7
D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0
F = 0.0

Grades of AB, FA, IN, PS, SP, and W are assigned as explained in the Undergraduate Grade Definitions area.

Undergraduate Grade Definitions

The following definitions will be used as a guide for the assignment of undergraduate grades.

A
Mastery of course content at the highest level of attainment that can reasonably be expected of students at a given stage of development. The A grade states clearly that the students have shown such outstanding promise in the aspect of the discipline under study that he/she may be strongly encouraged to continue.
B
Strong performance demonstrating a high level of attainment for a student at a given stage of development. The B grade states that the student has shown solid promise in the aspect of the discipline under study.
C
A totally acceptable performance demonstrating an adequate level of attainment for a student at a given stage of development. The C grade states that, while not yet showing unusual promise, the student may continue to study in the discipline with reasonable hope of intellectual development.
D
A marginal performance in the required exercises demonstrating a minimal passing level of attainment. A student has given no evidence of prospective growth in the discipline; an accumulation of D grades should be taken to mean that the student would be well advised not to continue in the academic field.
F
For whatever reason, an unacceptable performance. The F grade indicates that the student’s performance in the required exercises has revealed almost no understanding of the course content. A grade of F should warrant an advisor’s questioning whether the student may suitably register for further study in the discipline before remedial work is undertaken.
AB
Absent from final examination, but could have passed if exam taken. This is a temporary grade that converts to an F* after the last day of final exams for the next semester unless the student makes up the exam.
FA
Failed and absent from exam. The FA grade is given when the undergraduate student did not attend the exam, and could not pass the course regardless of performance on the exam. This would be appropriate for a student that never attended the course or has excessive absences in the course, as well as missing the exam.
IN
Work incomplete. This is a temporary grade that converts to F* after the last day of final exams into the next semester unless the student makes up the incomplete work.
PS
Students who declare a course on the Pass/Fail option will receive the grade of PS (pass) when a letter grade of A through C is recorded on the official grade roster. An F under the Pass/Fail option counts as hours attempted and is treated in the same manner as F grades earned under any other grading basis. Instructors are not informed of which students have elected the Pass/Fail option and must assign the regular letter grade which will be converted to PS/F.

*Prior to Fall 2020 the PS grade was used when a student would have earned a letter grade of A through D and the LP grade was not used.
LP
Low passing grade for a course using the Pass/Fail grading basis option, when an undergraduate student would have earned a letter grade of C-, D+, or D. Effective special grading accommodation for Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and later approved as a permanent grade.
NR
This symbol is recorded as a notation for courses where grades are not recorded, such as when a faculty member has not submitted grades by the posted deadline for the term.
F*
The Office of the University Registrar automatically converts the temporary grades of AB and IN to F* when the time limit for a grade change on these temporary grades has expired. The deadline for submitting a grade change for an AB or IN to an undergraduate student record is the last day of final exams in the following term.

Note: grade lapse is run for undergraduate students in Fall and Spring terms only. Temporary grades for summer terms are lapsed in the subsequent Fall term.
SP
Satisfactory Progress (Authorized only for the first portion of an Honors Program.)
W
Withdrew passing. Entered when a student drops after the eight-week drop period.
NE
No grade expected. This symbol is recorded as a notation for courses that are not graded, such as placeholders and some zero-credit courses.

Graduate Grades Definitions

All master’s and doctoral programs administered through The Graduate School operate under the same grading system. The graduate grading scale in use at UNC-Chapel Hill is unique in that it cannot be converted to the more traditional ABC grading scale. Graduate students do not carry a numerical GPA.

The following definitions will be used as a guide for the assignment of Graduate grades.

H– High Pass
P– Pass
L– Low Pass
F– Fail
IN– Work Incomplete
A temporary grade that converts to an F* unless the grade is replaced with a permanent grade by the last day of classes for the same term one year later.
F*
The Office of the University Registrar automatically converts the temporary grades of AB and IN to F* when the time limit for a grade change on these temporary grades has expired. The deadline for submitting a grade change for an AB or IN to a graduate student record is the last day of classes for the same term one year later.
AB– Absent from Final Examination
A temporary grade that converts to an F* unless the grade is replaced with a permanent grade by the last day of classes for the same term one year later.
NR
This symbol is recorded as a notation for courses where grades are not recorded, such as when a faculty member has not submitted grades by the posted deadline for the term.
NE
No grade expected. This symbol is recorded as a notation for courses that are not graded, such as placeholders and some zero-credit courses.

NOTE: Graduate students enrolled in courses numbered 099 and below (prior to Fall 2006) and 399 and below (starting with Fall 2006) should receive undergraduate grades.

Law School Grade Points

Effective August 2007, letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F are used. Pluses and minuses may be assigned, but there is no grade of D-.

In rare instances, a grade of A+ is awarded in recognition of exceptionally high performance. Some designated courses are graded on a pass-fail basis. Students may not change a graded course to a pass/fail course.

Grade points are assigned as follows:

A+ = 4.3
A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+= 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.7
D+= 1.3
D = 1.0

From Fall 1993 – August 2007, grades were assigned on a numerical scale ranging from 4.0 to 0.0. A grade of .7 will be considered the lowest passing grade. In rare instances, a grade of 4.3 may be awarded in recognition of exceptionally high performance.

Law School Grade Definitions

The following definitions will be used as a guide for the assignment of undergraduate grades.

IN – Work Incomplete
AB – Absent from Final Examination
PS – Passing grade for course using Pass-Fail grading
F – Failed

Pharmacy Professional Program (PHARMD) Grade Definitions

A – Clear Excellence
B – High Level of Achievement
C– Satisfactory Level of Achievement
H– Clear Excellence
P– Satisfactory
F– Failed
IN– Work Incomplete
AB– Absent from Final Examination

Classroom & Laboratory Courses Grade Definitions

The following definitions will be used as a guide for the assignment of Classroom & Laboratory Courses grades.

A– Clear Excellence
B– High Level of Achievement
C– Satisfactory Level of Achievement

Clinical Courses Grade Definitions

The following definitions will be used as a guide for the assignment of Clinical Courses grades.

H – Clear Excellence
P – Entirely Satisfactory

All Courses Grade Definitions

The following definitions will be used as a guide for the assignment of All Courses grades.

F – Failed, Unacceptable Level of Achievement
AB– Absent from Final Examination

A temporary grade; converts to an “F*” unless replaced with a permanent grade by the last day of classes for the same term one year later OR at the end of the term in which the course is next taught.
IN – Work Incomplete

A temporary grade; converts to an F* unless replaced with a permanent grade after one year OR at the end of the term in which the course is next taught.
PS – Passing grade (for elective courses using pass-fail grading under the University’s PS/D/D+/F option)

NOTE: Graduate Programs in the School of Pharmacy (MS or PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences) use the standard University graduate grading scheme. No quality points are assigned to these grades.

**Dentistry Professional Program (DDS) Grade Definitions**

The following definitions will be used as a guide for the assignment of Dentistry Professional Program (DDS) grades.

A – Highest Level of Attainment
B – High Level of Attainment
C – Adequate Level of Attainment
D – Minimal Passing Level of Attainment
F – Failed, Unacceptable Performance
IN – Work Incomplete
AB – Absent from Exam
PS – Pass

Medical School (MD) Grades

The School of Medicine records their own grades and houses the transcripts for students seeking the MD degree.

COVID-19 Grading Accommodations

Please refer to the following resources for information regarding the grading accommodations implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grading Accommodation Spring/Summer 2020

Grading Accommodation Fall 2020/Spring 2021

Have a question about Grades?

Contact the records team at grades@unc.edu