For Pakistani students planning to study in the United States, understanding the American grading system is crucial. Whether you’re applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, interpreting GPAs, letter grades, and their equivalencies will help you navigate admissions, scholarships, and academic performance expectations.
In this blog, we break down how the U.S. grading system works, explain the different types used by schools and universities, and show how grades can be converted for students coming from Pakistan or other international systems.
- Overview of the American Grading System
The U.S. follows a letter-grade system, where performance is measured in grades ranging from A to F. These letter grades correspond to Grade Point Averages (GPAs) on a 4.0 scale, which is standard across American institutions.
Common Letter Grades & GPA Values:
| Letter Grade | GPA (4.0 Scale) | Description |
| A | 4.0 | Excellent |
| B | 3.0 | Good |
| C | 2.0 | Average |
| D | 1.0 | Below Average |
| F | 0.0 | Failing |
Many universities further distinguish grades using plus (+) and minus (-) modifiers (e.g., A-, B+), each with its own point value (e.g., A- is usually 3.7 instead of 4.0).
- GPA Calculation in U.S. Universities
The GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated by assigning a numerical value to each letter grade and taking a weighted average based on credit hours.
For Example:
If you took three courses with the following results:
- A (4.0) in a 3-credit course
- B+ (3.3) in a 4-credit course
- C (2.0) in a 2-credit course
Most competitive U.S. schools require a GPA of 3.0 or above for graduate programs.
- Other Grading Types: Percentage and 10-Point Systems
Although the letter system is dominant, some colleges or professors use alternative grading formats such as:
- Percentage Grades: (e.g., 85%, 72%)
- 10-Point Scale: Common in some community colleges (e.g., 9.1/10)
However, these are typically converted into letter grades for official transcripts.
- Grade Conversion for Pakistani Students
Pakistani students often come from a system that uses percentages or GPA out of 5.0 or 4.0 depending on the board or university (e.g., HEC-recognized universities). Therefore, converting your grades accurately for U.S. institutions is essential.
General Conversion Table (Pakistani % to U.S. GPA)
| Pakistani % | U.S. GPA Equivalent |
| 85–100% | 4.0 (A) |
| 75–84% | 3.3 – 3.7 (B+) |
| 65–74% | 2.7 – 3.0 (B) |
| 50–64% | 1.7 – 2.3 (C) |
| Below 50% | 0.0 – 1.0 (F or D) |
Universities differ in how they evaluate transcripts. Many require credential evaluation services like WES, ECE, or SpanTran.
- Pass/Fail and Incomplete Grades
U.S. institutions also offer Pass/Fail options in some cases. A “Pass” does not affect GPA but counts as credit earned. An Incomplete (I) grade is temporarily assigned when students need extra time due to valid reasons; it must be resolved, or it converts to an “F.”
- Academic Standing and GPA Benchmarks
Maintaining a good GPA is essential for academic standing:
- Dean’s List: GPA of 3.5 or higher, sometimes 3.7+ depending on school
- Probation: Students falling below 2.0 GPA are usually placed on academic probation
- Graduation Honors:
- Cum Laude: 3.5 – 3.7 GPA
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.7 – 3.9 GPA
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.9 – 4.0 GPA
- How to Improve GPA in the U.S.
If your GPA is lower than desired, universities allow students to raise it by:
- Repeating Courses: Retake low-grade subjects for better grades
- Academic Advising: Most colleges offer tutoring or planning services
- Extra Credit Work: Professors may offer additional assignments for grade improvement
- GPA Requirements for Scholarships
Pakistani students applying for scholarships should note the GPA requirements:
- Fulbright Scholarship (U.S.): Minimum 3.0 GPA recommended
- University-Based Scholarships: Often require 3.3 GPA or higher
- On-Campus Jobs/Internships: May require good standing (2.5+ GPA)
- Transcripts & Credential Evaluation
Before applying, you must submit official transcripts from your college/university. These documents must be:
- In English
- Verified by HEC (for Pakistani universities)
- Evaluated by a certified U.S. credential service like [WES]