german grading system (2024)

If you are a study-abroad applicant, you surely know what the grade point average is. However, did you know that Germany has a slightly different GPA system?

Knowing how German universities grade assignments is crucial to studying there. While other nations, including the USA, Germany, and others, use a GPA system, we in India mostly use a percentage system for grading. Students frequently wonder what grade they need to acquire to take advantage of all the fantastic opportunities that are waiting for them in a foreign nation.

As a result, we explain German academic grading to you in this blog and use a German GPA converter to compare the Indian percentage to the German GPA. So, to gain a complete understanding of the German grading system, continue reading until the conclusion.


With already 2000 admits in the first month of 2024, Yocket has helped more than 1 million Indian students in their study-abroad journey. If you are planning to pursue your education in Germany, reach out to us! Explore Yocket Premium Today!

Table of Contents
  • Understanding the German Grading Scheme
  • German Grade Conversion: German GPA Calculator
  • Minimum GPA Grade Requirements for German Universities

Understanding the German Grading Scheme

Are you familiar with the term "Grade Point Average (GPA)"? Well, it is the foundation of the German GPA system. German universities grade students' academic performance using a point system of 1 to 6 (or 5). 6 represents poor performance, while 1 represents excellent performance.

German University Grading System (1-6)


GPA


Value

1.0

Excellent

2.0

Overall, very good

3.0

Good

4.0

Adequate

5.0

Sufficient

6.0

Insufficient

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Keep in mind that, depending on your university, the German grading system may change.

A 1 - 5 point grading system is another tool used by several German universities to assess students according to their academic achievement. The table below may be useful if you discover that your university employs the German GPA system, which has a point system ranging from 1 to 5.

German University Grading System (1-5)

GPA

Value

1.0 - 1.5

Very good

1.6 - 2.5

Good

2.6 - 3.5

Satisfactory

3.6 - 4.0

Sufficient

4.1 - 5

Fail

As an Indian student studying in Germany, remember that your GPA will decrease the higher the percentage you receive in the Indian educational system. Thus, the German GPA system and the Indian percentage system have an inverse relationship.

Suggested: Germany Country Guide for International Students

German Grade Conversion: German GPA Calculator

You may be required to provide your GPA while applying to German universities. For Indian students, this implies that you will need to convert the CGPA, or percentage, to German grades.

Check with your university's criteria, as there may be significant differences in the grading systems utilised in German universities. For instance, the Modified Bavarian Formula is utilised by numerous German colleges in their Grade Conversion Tool.

In Germany, the CGPA conversion formula is:

x = German GPA

Nmax = the maximum grade in your grading system

Nmin = minimum grade in your grading system

Nd = percentage or CGPA that you have obtained

To convert your Indian percentage or Indian CGPA to a German GPA, follow this formula. Nevertheless, depending on your university's criteria, using an online German Grading System Calculator tool would be a simpler option.

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Indian CGPA to German GPA Table & Vice Versa

Would you like to get a sense of where you stand on the German grading system? Compare your grades to the table below. It presents a comparison between the Indian percentage and the German grading scheme:


German GPA Grades


Indian Percentage


Description

1.0 - 1.5

90-100%

Sehr Gut (Very Good)

1.6 - 2.5

80-90%

Gut (Good)

2.6 - 3.5

65-80%

Befriedigent (Satisfactory)

3.6 - 4.0

50-65%

Ausreichend (Sufficient)

4.1 - 5.0

0-50%

Mangelhaft (Not sufficient)

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ECTS Grading System & German GPA

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is referred to as ECTS. A single European grading system called ECTS was created to promote academic exchange between EU nations.

ECTS is a common grading system followed all over the EU. This is because the number of EU students who choose to study abroad elsewhere in Europe is high, and the interpretation of the national grading system often changes depending on the university.

Higher education institutions across all EU member states can readily evaluate and compare the academic results of their EU students thanks to the ECTS system. The relevant grades at the German university you wish to enroll in are not intended to be replaced by ECTS. It facilitates the evaluation of your academic credits even further.

ECTSs are not required. They may be used by the universities in full compliance with their grading guidelines. The following table serves as a GPA calculator for German universities by displaying grades from higher education in Germany together with their corresponding ECTS scores.


German Grade


ECTS Grade


Grade Definition

1 - 1.5

A

Sehr Gut (Very Good)

1.6 - 2.5

B

Gut (Good)

2.6 - 3.5

C

Befriedigend (Satisfying)

3.6 - 4.9

D

Ausreichend (Sufficient)

5.0 - 6.0

E

Nicht Ausreichend (Insufficient)

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Minimum GPA Grade Requirements for German Universities

Depending on the courses, universities, etc., different German universities may have different minimum grade requirements.

However, the minimum grade required for a middle-profile course is a GPA of 2.5, and a GPA of 1.5 for high-profile study programs and there are no specific requirements for low-profile courses.

To convert the grade to the German system, use the formula above, an online German GPA calculator, or a converter for the German grading system.

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From the Desk of Yocket

It's crucial to comprehend German academic grading, but it's also necessary to remember that your GPA isn't everything. Numerous variables, such as the caliber of your application and your enthusiasm and aptitude for the subject, are considered when granting admission to German institutions.

Nevertheless, having a strong GPA alongside the above-listed characteristics is unquestionably the cherry on top. Would you like to know more, or gain assistance with everything studying abroad? Speak with a Yocket Counselor today via a personalized one-on-one call!

Book A Consultation Call Today!

german grading system (2024)

FAQs

Is 3.7 a bad grade in Germany? ›

In Germany, grades are generally classified as follows: "sehr gut" (very good) for grades between 1.0 and 1.5, "gut" (good) for grades between 1.6 and 2.5, "befriedigend" (satisfactory) for grades between 2.6 and 3.5, and "ausreichend" (sufficient) for grades between 3.6 and 4.0.

What grade is 70% in Germany? ›

The German grading system
German GradePercentagePass or Fail
1.6 - 2.575 - 89%Pass
2.6 - 3.560 - 74%Pass
3.6 - 4.050 - 59%Pass
5.00 - 49%Fail
1 more row
Feb 13, 2024

Is 1.1 a good grade in Germany? ›

1.0–1.5 “very good”: excellent performance.

Is 2.7 A good grade in Germany? ›

German universities (except for law schools) grade with a scale of 1 to 5: 1.0–1.5 sehr gut (very good: an outstanding achievement) 1.6–2.5 gut (good: an achievement which lies substantially above average requirements) 2.6–3.5 befriedigend (satisfactory: an achievement which corresponds to average requirements)

What is a 1.1 GPA in Germany? ›

How to Calculate German Grades from Percentage
GradePercentageComment
1.0 - 1.590% - 100%Excellent
1.6 - 2.580% - 90%Good
2.6 - 3.565% - 80%Satisfactory
3.6 - 4.050% - 65%Sufficient
1 more row

What is a 2.7 GPA in Germany? ›

How Do German Grades Compare to US Grades?
German GradeDescriptionUS GPA (Grade Point Average)
2.7Gut (Good)2.3
3.0Befriedigend (Satisfactory)2.0
3.31.7
3.71.3
8 more rows
Nov 30, 2023

Is there a 13th grade in Germany? ›

High school years in Germany vary by which stream or level you choose to study at. Most schools take students until 15 or 16 years of age. The Gymnasium students end at age 18 (grade 13).

What is a 4.0 GPA in Germany? ›

Scale
CGPA (Best: 4.0, Worst: 2.0)German Grading System (Best: 1.0, Worst:5.0)
4.01.0 (Very Good)
3.91.15 (Very Good)
3.81.30 (Very Good)
3.71.45 (Very Good)
17 more rows

Is 2.7 GPA good for Masters in Germany? ›

GPA Requirements for MS Programs

Master's programs in Germany have varying GPA requirements, contingent on the university and chosen program. Typically, universities seek a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some prestigious institutions, however, might stipulate a higher GPA of around 3.5.

What is fail grade in Germany? ›

The grades awarded in the German school system range from 1 to 6. The lower the grade, the better it is: a 1 is an excellent grade, whereas 5 and 6 are fail grades.

Is 2.8 GPA good for Masters in Germany? ›

Therefore, the minimum CGPA required for MS in Germany is 7.5 out of 10. Your graduation percentage and CGPA required for masters in Germany are two critical factors for your admission to MS. Calculated in GPA, the minimum GPA for masters in Germany requirement is 2.5.

Is school usually free in Germany? ›

Most German schools are run by the state and there is no charge for your children to attend.

Is 2.7 an OK GPA? ›

Is a 2.7 GPA good? This GPA means that you've earned an average grade of a B- across all of your classes. Since a 2.7 GPA is lower than the national average of 3.0 for high school students, it will limit your options for college. 3.95% of schools have an average GPA below a 2.7.

How much GPA required for Germany? ›

GPA Requirements to Study in Germany

German universities may have different grade requirements based on the course, the university, etc. For a middle-profile course, the minimum grade requirement is 2.5, for a high-profile study program, 1.5. And for a low-profile course, no specific requirements apply.

How to calculate German grading system? ›

You can convert your native Letter Grade to German Grade by assigning a number to each letter by following this chart below:
  1. A+ equals 1.
  2. A equals 2.
  3. B equals 3.
  4. C equals 4.
  5. D equals 5.
  6. E equals 6.

What is a 3.7 GPA in Germany? ›

Scale
CGPA (Best: 4.0, Worst: 2.0)German Grading System (Best: 1.0, Worst:5.0)
3.81.30 (Very Good)
3.71.45 (Very Good)
3.61.60 (Good)
3.51.75 (Good)
17 more rows

What is 3.7 in German grade? ›

The grading scale used at the University of Passau (for all subjects except Law)
Grade/markDescriptionPass/fail
1.7–2.3'gut' – goodpass
2.7–3.3'befriedigend' – satisfactorypass
3.7–4.0'ausreichend' – sufficientpass
4.3–5.0'mangelhaft' – deficientfail
1 more row

Is A 3.7 A good grade? ›

A 3.7 GPA is a Grade Point Average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. It indicates that you've earned a predominantly A- average in your courses. A 3.7 GPA is considered to be a very good GPA and is often an indicator of strong academic performance.

Is 3.7 an A+? ›

Grade points are assigned as follows:

A = 4.0. A- = 3.7. B+ = 3.3. B = 3.0.

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