Grade Percentages - How Do They Work?

Hey guys, I've been trying to make sense of my grade percentages - like if I have an 82 percent grade, what does that mean exactly? Like is that a B- or something? And how will that reflect in my high school transcript? Is it just about different grading scales or is there more to it?

Hello! The interpretation of a percentage grade can vary depending on the grading system in a school. Generally, in the typical American grading system, an 82 percent grade usually translates to a B-.

To break this down further, American schools typically use the following scales (though there can be minor variations):

- A: 90-100%

- B: 80-89%

- C: 70-79%

- D: 60-69%

- F: <59%

Therefore, a score of 82% falls in the range of a B grade. However, you mentioned a B- specifically, which addresses a more detailed grading scale that might look like this:

- A+: 97-100%

- A: 93–96%

- A-: 90–92%

- B+: 87–89%

- B: 83–86%

- B-: 80–82%

- And so on for C, D, and F.

Now, about it reflecting on your transcript - schools also often convert these percentages into GPA on a 4.0 scale. For instance, A's (including A-, A, A+) usually count as 4.0, B's as 3.0, C's as 2.0, and D's as 1.0. Importantly, some schools might differentiate further within these main categories (adding the +/- differences) while others just stick to the larger categories (A, B, C, D). Therefore, if your school uses this typical grading scale, an 82, or a B-, would reflect as around a 2.7-3.0 on your GPA.

Remember, it's important to check with your specific high school's policy since grading can differ slightly from one institution to another. Many high schools provide a grading scale that clearly defines grade percentages and their GPA equivalents. This will give you the most accurate understanding of how your specific grades translate into your transcript's GPA.