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Grading System In New Zealand
New Zealand is rapidly becoming a popular study-abroad destination in the world due to factors such as high-quality education in various disciplines, and a safe and supportive environment for international students.
Before beginning the academic journey, aspirants who want to pursue higher education in New Zealand should understand about the university grading system.
The grading system used in New Zealand universities differs from that used in Indian or US universities. It could confuse international students planning to study in New Zealand.
Here is how the New Zealand grading system works and what it indicates;
Grading Scale in New Zealand Universities
Letter Grades | Grade Points | Equivalent Percentage (%) | Description |
A+ | 9 | 90-100 | Outstanding performance |
A | 8 | 85-89 | Excellent performance |
A- | 7 | 80-84 | Excellent performance in most respects |
B+ | 6 | 75-79 | Excellent performance |
B | 5 | 70-74 | Good performance |
B- | 4 | 65-69 | Good performance overall, but some weakness |
C+ | 3 | 60-64 | Satisfactory to good performance |
C | 2 | 55-59 | Satisfactory performance |
C- | 1 | 50-54 | Adequate evidence of learning |
D | 0 | 40-49 | Poor performance overall, some evidence of learning, Fail |
E | -1 | 0-39 | Fail |
In New Zealand, universities generally use a letter grade system (A to E). Letter grades correspond to percentage mark bands, which may differ between universities (common cut-offs for A include 90% and 85%; even within the same university, grade cut-offs for one department may differ from that of another).
The grading system in New Zealand’s universities varies. A (or A+ and A-) are the highest grades, and F is the lowest. Anything less than D is a fail (with variations such as D+ = marginal fail and D- = poor fail).
The grading pattern continues on a lower scale and follows the pattern;
A, A-, B, B-, C, and C are all passing grades, with C being the lowest and equivalent to 50% or slightly higher.
D and E are failing grades for students.
“K” a Fail for not completing mandatory course requirements, even if the student’s course grade reached the pass level of 50%.
Grading System across various New Zealand Universities
Grade | GPA | Auckland | Otago | Canterbury | Lincoln | Massey | ABOUT | Victoria | Waikato |
A | 9 | High first | 90-100 | 90-100 | 90-100 | 1st class pass | Pass Dist. | 85-100 | 85-100 |
A | 8 | Clear first | 85-89 | 85-89 | 85-89 | 1st class pass | Pass Dist. | 80-84 | 80-84 |
| A- | 7 | Bare first | 80-84 | 80-84 | 80-84 | 1st class pass | Pass Dist. | 75-79 | 75-79 |
B | 6 | High Second | 75-79 | 75-79 | 75-79 | 2nd class pass | Pass Merit | 70-74 | 70-74 |
| B | 5 | Clear Second | 70-74 | 70-74 | 70-74 | 2nd class pass
| Pass Merit | 65-69 | 65-69 |
B- | 4 | Bare second | 65-69 | 65-69 | 65-69 | 2nd class pass | Pass Merit | 60-64 | 60-64 |
C | 3 | Sound pass | 60-64 | 60-64 | 60-64 | Pass | Pass | 55-59 | 55-59 |
C | 2 | Pass | 55-59 | 55-59 | 55-59 | Pass | Pass | 50-54 | 50-54 |
C- | 1 | Marginal pass | 50-54 | 50-54 | 50-54 | Pass | Pass | ||
D | 0 | Marginal fail | 40-49 | 40-49 | 40-49 | Fail, 40-49 | Fail | 40-49 | 40-49 |
E | -1 | Poor Fail | Below 40 | 0-39 | 0-39 | Low fail, 0-39 | 0-39 | 0-39 |
Comparison of Grading System in Popular Countries
US Grading System
When considering studying abroad, the United States is the first place that comes to mind. It is the leading study destination for international students due to the presence of prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford and etc.
Letter Grade | Grade Points | Percentage |
A+ | 4.0 | 97-100 |
A | 3.9 | 93-96 |
A- | 3.7 | 90-92 |
B+ | 3.3 | 87-89 |
B | 3.0 | 83-86 |
B- | 2.7 | 80-82 |
C+ | 2.3 | 77-79 |
C | 2.0 | 73-76 |
C- | 1.7 | 70-72 |
D+ | 1.3 | 67-69 |
D | 1 | 63-66 |
D- | 0.7 | 60-62 |
F | 0 | Below 60 |
The grading system in the US differs from New Zealand. In US universities; a D is an unsatisfactory passing grade, whereas in New Zealand universities, a “D” is a failing grade.
Students will still receive credit for the class if they receive a D, but a C or better is sometimes required to count some significant classes for a degree, and a C or better is sometimes required to fulfill a class’s mandatory requirement.
Indian Grading System
The Indian grading system works on a 10 scale. It does not have many variants of A, B such as (A+, A-, B+, and B-). It is simple, but the difference between both countries’ grading systems is the percentage.
In Indian universities, scoring 65 to 70% or greater earns you a “Distinction,” whereas in New Zealand universities the same percentage makes you a B or B+ (“Good and Very Good Performance”).
Letter Grade | Percentage | Grade Points |
O | 80 and above | 10 |
A | 75 to 79.9 | 9 |
B | 70 to 74.9 | 8 |
C | 60 to 69.9 | 7 |
D | 50 to 59.9 | 6 |
E | 45 to 49.9 | 5 |
P | 40 to 44.9 | 4 |
| F | 39.9 and below | 0 |
UK Grading System
Letter Grade | Percentage Score | Grade Definition |
A | 70-100 | Excellent to Outstanding |
B | 60-69 | Good to Very Good |
C | 50-59 | Satisfying |
D | 40-49 | Sufficient |
E | 30-39 | Unsatisfactory |
| F | 0-29 | Unsatisfactory |
The United Kingdom has a unique higher education grading system. Its most distinguishing feature in contrast to traditional grading systems is its aim of being more specific in describing students’ academic achievement.
Compared to the New Zealand grading system, this is simple and has fewer letter grades. But scoring a B in England fetches you anywhere between 60-69%, whereas, in New Zealand, the same (B, B+) grades get you anywhere between 70-79%.
Conclusion
Apart from the grading system, New Zealand has a lot to offer, including an excellent education system, internationally recognized qualifications, numerous research opportunities, and an unmatched quality of life.
You can be assured of a welcoming and friendly society with an excellent support system for international students while studying here.
You can also take advice from experts like Kavitta Mehtta at 3RDiConsulting, overseas education counselors.