Grading System

Find out about the UCSD grading system, the value of grade points, and how to interpret grades.

GradeGrade points per unitInterpretation
A+, A, A-4.0, 4.0, 3.7Excellent
B+, B, B-3.3, 3.0, 2.7Good
C+, C, C-2.3, 2.0, 1.7Fair
D1.0Poor (Barely Passing)
F0.0Fail
PPassC- or better, assigned to undergraduate students only
NPNot PassBelow C-
SSatisfactoryB- or better, assigned to graduate students only
UUnsatisfactoryBelow B-
IIncompleteWork of passing quality but incomplete for good cause. Students must file a Request for Incomplete form and obtain the instructor's permission.
IPIn ProgressCourse must be approved for IP grading.
WWithdrewWithdrew after fourth week of instruction, or after second meeting of some laboratory courses
 BlankGrade not reported by instructor

Note: Students in the School of Medicine and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy are graded on an Honors/ Pass/ Fail basis in all required courses, and Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory in elective courses. Please contact the School of Medicine or Skaggs School of Pharmacy for complete information.

Plus and minus grading: Only the grades of A, B, and C may be modified by a plus (+) or minus (-) suffix. The grade of A+, when awarded, represents extraordinary achievement but does not receive grade point credit beyond that received for the grade of A. Use of plus and minus suffixes is optional. Instructors should clearly state the grading practices at the beginning of the quarter. Plus and minus grading became effective Fall Quarter, 1983.

For additional information on grades, see the Grades Menu.