Grading system
- Basic facts
- Grading practice in The Netherlands
- Comparison of grading systems
Basic facts
In the Netherlands, the traditional grading scale is from 1 to 10, where 1 is the lowest and 10 the highest grade. The passing mark for a single subject is 5.5. Grades 1-3 are very rarely given, and the same is true for grades 9-10. The most common grades in higher education are 6 and 7.
Dutch grade | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 10 | Outstanding |
| 9 | Very good |
| 8 | Good |
| 7 | More than satisfactory |
| 6 | Satisfactory |
| 5.5 | Passing |
| 1.0-5.4 | Fail |
| Abbreviations in the transcript | ||
|---|---|---|
| Abbreviations in Dutch | Abbreviations in English | Explanation |
| COMP | COMP | Compensation |
| ER | AOR | At own risk |
| FR | FR | Fraud |
| G | SUFF | Sufficient |
| NGR | NR | Still no result |
| NO | NA | Not attended |
| NVD | NF | Not fulfilled |
| O | F | Failed |
| V | P | Passed |
| VD | FUL | Fulfilled |
| VR | EX | Exemption |
| VT | EXEMP | Exemption |
n Dutch higher education the grade 8 is awarded in the top 15 to 25% of cases, depending on the field of study. Based on data from 2006 regarding examinations, the percentages of grades were as follows:
10 = 0.50% | 7 = 40.00% | 4 = 0.08% |
9 = 2.70% | 6 = 35.00% | 3 = 0.03% |
8 = 14.00% | 5 = 6.80% | 1 or 2 = - |
Comparison of grading systems
Several countries use grading systems that look similar to the one used in Holland. One example is the 1-100 system. However, it would be inaccurate to compare a 90-100 grade in such a system with a 10 in the Dutch system, or a 80-90 with a 9, and so on.
NL | USA | UK |
|
|---|---|---|---|
10 | A+ | A+ | 1st |
9.5 | A+ | A+ | 1st |
9 | A+ | A+ | 1st |
8.5 | A+ | A | 1st |
8 | A | A/ A- | Upper 2nd |
7.5 | A/ A- | B+ | Upper 2nd |
7 | B+ | B | Lower 2nd |
6.5 | B | C+ | Lower 2nd |
6 | B-/C | C/D | 3rd |
5.5 | D | D |
|
5-1 | F | F |
|
Source: Nuffic
See for more information on the website of the Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education.