But also in the same breath, to know how Chinese educational institutions grade us is to get a glimpse of academic culture and expectations within China. The grading is one rampant feature that varies distinctly from one level of education to another and it is important to understand these nuances for a proper understanding.
1. Primary & Secondary Education
Primary and secondary schools in China generally score with a numeric scale. Grading is done from a 0 to 100, with 100 being ideal for that grade Students have to compulsorily obtain at least 60 marks for clearing most subjects. SST — A simple breakdown of what each score range means.
90 to 100: Excellent
80 to 89: Good
70 to 79: Average
60 to 69: Pass
Below 60: Fail
For example, in urban areas, some grade numerically and then convert the grades into a letter system (i.e A, B, C etc. like in US)
2. University Level
The university grading system is taken to whole another level. In most universities, the mark used is out of 100, although different ranges apply in some other universities (with the particular passing grade differing as well). Nonetheless, the significance of grading may well fluctuate among universities and even amid departments with a identical university. Furthermore, many institutions use the Grade Point Average (GPA) system over a 4.0 or 5.0 scale for performance consideration.
3. Grading for Entrance Exams
Entrance exams are graded this way, for example the college- entrance exam Gaokao is important. The scores for most exams are reported out of 100, with a possible maximum score usually varying between provinces and subjects. Some examples are the average maximum scores which is approximately at 750 but can be adjusted based on what the student emphasized on or chose.
Chinese grades Meanings and Combinations
To illustrate, the criteria for an A and B in China are not exactly the same as what they are internationally for a ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ grade. For example, a score of 85 could be above average in some Western educational systems, but is seen as very good in China,
More specifically, the importance of examination and memorization in the educational system inhibits how grades are annotated in China. High-stakes testing can provide most of the points that go into figuring out a student’s grade, as opposed to other educational systems in which grades are more evenly distribut- ed over assignments and tests.
And this is an essential guide for international observers or students who are coming to China. It provides context on what the grades achievement looks like in a Chinese ecosystem and this helpful when setting realistic academic goals.