German Grading System Explained

Whether you’re a student dreaming of studying in Germany, a parent backing your child’s education in the country, or anyone else, really, this guide has got you covered with a simple and straightforward look at the German grading system. 

We’ll break down those grades and evaluations, so you can make smart choices and set achievable academic targets, whether it’s getting into university or supporting your child’s learning journey.

The School Grading System in Germany

Germany’s school grading system is designed to evaluate students’ performance from primary school through high school. It uses a straightforward 6-point scale, where 1 is the best grade (excellent), and 6 is the lowest (insufficient). In senior high school, a 15-point system is introduced for precision. 

Primary and Lower Secondary Education Grades

How Are Students in Primary and Lower Secondary Schools in Germany Graded?

Germany’s primary and lower secondary education institutions use a 6-point grading scale, spanning from 1 (excellent) to 6 (insufficient). The lowest passing grade is 4, while grades 5 and 6 represent failing performance. This system assesses students’ performance in various subjects from grade 2 onward, as first graders usually advance without formal grading.

While year-end report cards typically use whole numbers, certain schools may adopt more detailed grading scales, including “1−” (equivalent to 1.25) or decimal grading (1.0, 1.1, 1.2, etc.). Additionally, assessments often include behavior-based grades called Kopfnoten.

Here are the grades used in primary and lower secondary schools in Germany:

Grade	Grade Definition	Percentage
1+, 1, 1-	Sehr gut (Very good, excellent)	91-100%
2+, 2, 2-	Gut (Good)	81-90%
3+, 3, 3-	Befriedigend (Satisfactory)	66-80%
4+, 4, 4-	Ausreichend (Sufficient – lowest passing grade)	50-65%
5+, 5, 5-, 6	Mangelhaft (Insufficient – failing grade)	0-49%

Upper Secondary Education Grades

How Are Students in Upper Secondary  Schools in Germany Graded?

When students progress to upper secondary school, known as the Oberstufe in Germany (typically grades 11 to 12 or 13), they transition from the traditional 6-point grading system to a 15-point grading scale. 

This 15-point system assigns a score of “1+” as the highest grade, equivalent to 15 points, and “6” as the lowest, denoting 0 points. These grades ensure precise assessment for students preparing for the vital Abitur exams, crucial for university admissions in Germany.

Here are the points and the corresponding school grades used in upper secondary education levels in Germany:

Points	Grade Definition	Corresponding School Grade
15	Excellent – highest grade possible	1+
13-14	Very good	1-,1
10-12	Good	2-,2,2+
7-9	Satisfactory	3-,3,3+
4-6	Sufficient – lowest passing grade	4-,4,4+
1-3	Insufficient – failing grade	5+,5,5-
0	Poor – failing grade	6

German University Grading System

How Do German Universities Award Grades?

Most universities in Germany use a 1 to 5 (or 6) point grading system to assess their students’ academic performance. 1 and 5 signify both extreme ends of your achievement. If you get 1 on your exam, it means you successfully completed between 90 and 100% of your task. On the other hand, if you got 5, it means your performance has not satisfied the least minimum required to pass.

Given below are marks in the German grading system and their translation in terms of your academic achievement:

German Grade	Academic Achievement
1 to 1.5	Sehr gut (Very good).  The performance meets the requirements to an exceptionally high degree, demonstrating outstanding competence.
1.6 to 2.5	Gut (Good).  The performance is well above average, reflecting a strong grasp of the subject matter.
2.6 to 3.5	Befriedigend (Satisfactory).  The performance is at an average level, indicating a reasonable understanding of the material.
3.6 to 4.0	Ausreichend (Sufficient).  You have reached the minimum score to pass the exam in spite of deficiencies.
4.1 to 5	Nicht ausreichend (Insufficient).  Your performance doesn’t meet the requirements.

Some German universities or departments use a grading system with intervals of three decimals. In this system, grades are limited to values like 1.0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0, 2.3, and so forth. 

Grades for Law Programs in Germany

How Do Law Schools Award Grades in Germany?

German higher education institutions utilize a distinctive grading scale for law programs, ranging from 0 to 18 points. Within this scale, achieving 16-18 points signifies the highest grade, indicating an outstanding performance. 

Conversely, students who score 1-3 points (Mangelhaft – Deficient) exhibit notable weaknesses, while a grade of 0 points (Ungenügend – Inadequate) reflects the lowest and subpar overall performance. 

This meticulous grading system allows for precise assessment in German law programs. 

Below is a table illustrating the grading system of law programs in Germany:

Grade	Grade Definition
16-18 points	Sehr gut (Very good) – particularly outstanding
13-15 points	Gut (Good) – well above average
10-12 points	Vollbefriedigend (Fully satisfactory) – performance above average requirements
7-9 points	Befriedigend (Satisfactory) – meets requirements
4-6 points	Ausreichend (Sufficient) – meets requirements, but with some shortcomings
1-3 points	Mangelhaft (Deficient) – considerable weaknesses and unacceptable as a whole
0 points	Ungenügend (Inadequate) – a poor performance overall

Grades for Doctoral Programs in Germany

What Is the Grading System for PhD in Germany?

Unlike undergraduate and master’s programs, where grades are common, doctoral degrees often involve more qualitative assessments of research and dissertation work. 

Assessment in doctoral programs in Germany often includes the following Latin descriptors:

Grade	Grade Definition
Summa cum laude (<1.0)	With Distinction – Exceptional quality
Magna cum laude (1.0 or 1,3)	Very Good – Excellent work
Cum laude (1.7, 2.0, or 2.3)	Good – Meeting a solid standard
Rite (2.7 or 3.0)	Passed – Meeting minimum requirements

It’s important to note that the numerical value threshold for these grades can vary depending on how rigorous a particular university’s evaluation process is. Additionally, the highest grade, Summa cum laude, is typically awarded in exceptional cases, highlighting the exceptional quality required to achieve it.

German Grades Compared to UK and US Grades

To secure a spot at a German university, your grades from your prior education will carry substantial weight. However, because the German grading system can vary significantly from the grading system used in your home country, it’s essential to convert your grades to the German system. This conversion is necessary for the university’s admission board to determine whether you meet their specific entry criteria.

To give you a general idea of what your current grades translate into the German grading system, we’ve created a useful conversion table.

How Do German Grades Compare to US Grades?

The German grading system ranges from 1.0 (excellent) to 5.0 (fail), with 1.0 equivalent to an A+ and 4.0 to a D in the US system. Grades below 4.0 are passing, while 5.0 is considered insufficient or failing.

Here’s a conversion chart for the German academic 5-point grade scale to US grades and GPA:

German Grade	Description	US Letter Grade	US GPA (Grade Point Average)
1.0	Sehr gut (Very good)	A+
1.0		A	4.0
1.3		A-	3.7
1.7		B+	3.3
2.0	Gut (Good)	B	3.0
2.3		B-	2.7
2.7		C+	2.3
3.0	Befriedigend (Satisfactory)	C	2.0
3.3		C-	1.7
3.7		D+	1.3
4.0	Ausreichend (Sufficient)	D	1.0
5.0	Nicht ausreichend (Insufficient)	F	0.0

How Do German Grades Compare to UK Grades?

German grades 0.8 and 1.3 correspond to a UK first-class degree, with 0.8 being equivalent to first-class with distinction. Grades from 1.7 to 2.7 are equivalent to upper and lower second-class degrees, while 3.0 to 4.0 range from third class to pass without honours; a 5.0 is a fail.

Here’s a conversion chart for German grades on the 5-point scale to their UK equivalents:

German Grade	Description	UK Equivalent
0.8	Sehr gut (Very good)	First-class (with Distinction)
1.0		First-class
1.3		First class
1.7		Upper second-class (2:1)
2.0	Gut (Good)	Upper second-class (2:1)
2.3		Lower second-class (2:2)
2.7		Lower second-class (2:2)
3.0	Befriedigend (Satisfactory)	Third class
3.3		Third class
3.7		Third class
4.0	Ausreichend (Sufficient)	Passed without honours/unclassified
5.0	Nicht ausreichend (Insufficient)	Fail

Please note that the conversion charts are for reference purposes and may not apply universally. Different institutions may have their own grading scales and conversion methods for evaluating grades from various systems.

What is the ECTS Grade?

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a standardized grading framework used to streamline academic exchanges among European Union (EU) countries. It addresses the challenge of varying interpretations of national grading systems when EU students study in different European countries.

Here’s how ECTS works:

• Standardized Grading. ECTS uses a standardized grading scale that simplifies the assessment of students’ academic performance. The scale includes grades:
  • A (Excellent)
  • B (Very Good)
  • C (Good)
  • D (Satisfactory)
  • E (Sufficient)
  • F (Fail)
• Academic Credits. Each course in a university program is assigned a specific number of ECTS credits, which reflects the workload required for that course. Typically, one ECTS credit corresponds to 25-30 hours of student workload, including lectures, assignments, self-study, and exams.
• Transcript of Records. When students complete a course, their grades are recorded alongside the number of ECTS credits for that course in a “Transcript of Records.” This document offers a transparent summary of their academic achievements.

Important Note. While ECTS simplifies the assessment of academic credits, it’s not intended to replace the grading system used at the German university where you plan to enroll. It complements the local grading system and enhances the mobility of students within the EU.

The table below shows grades in German higher education and their equivalents in the ECTS system:

German Grade	Grade Definition	ECTS grade
1 – 1.5	Exzellent (Outstanding)	A
1.6 – 2.0	Sehr gut (Very good)	B
2.1 – 3.0	Gut (Good)	C
3.1 – 3.5	Befriedigend (Satisfactory)	D
3.6 – 4.0	Ausreichend (Sufficient)	E
4.1 – 5.0 (6.0)	Nicht ausreichend (Fail)	F