Academic Grading System
Grading System in education is the process of using standardized measurements of varying degrees of achievement in a course. Grades can be assigned in letters (for example A, B, C, D, E or F), as a range (e.g. 1 to 6), as a percentage of a total number correct, as a number out of a possible total (for example out of 20 or 100), or as descriptors (excellent, great, satisfactory, needs improvement). Most nations have individual grading systems unique to their own schools. Nevertheless, several international standards for grading have arisen lately. Different countries have a variety of grading scales.
Since 2002, Afghanistan has gone through a nationwide rebuilding process. Education in Afghanistan is also remodeled on the American education system, it includes K-12 and higher education, that is controlled by the Ministry of education and also Ministry of Higher education. Since 2001, the curriculum has been changed from extremist Islamic teachings to one relatively better with new books and better training. The grading system is also mostly followed by the grading system of the foreign countries.
The education in Afghanistan has been reconstructed after the downfall of the Taliban regime. Primary education lasts for about 6 years and if the students pass the entrance examination, then only they are admitted into the secondary education, that is divided into two groups: one is from the 7th to the 9th grade and the another is from 10th to 12th grade.
The Gradation System at Secondary Level
Score | Description | Suggested US Equivalent |
86-100 | Alaa (Excellent) | A |
66-85 | Aali (Good) | B |
40-65 | Khoob (Satisfactory) | C |
Grading Scales at Tertiary Level
Scale 1 | Scale 2 | Suggested US Equivalent |
9.00 - 10.00 | 90.00 - 100.00 | A |
8.00 - 8.99 | 80.00 - 89.99 | |
5.00 - 7.99 | 55.00 - 79.99 | |
3.60 - 4.99 | 50.00 - 54.99 | |
0.00 - 3.49 | 0.00 - 49.99 | |
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Marking is on a percentage scale: 40 per cent is the minimum pass mark for individual subjects; the minimum average is 55 per cent of the sum of the highest marks for all subjects.
- Highest on scale: 100
- Pass/fail level: 40/55
- Lowest on scale: 0