Saudi Arabia follows a structured and diverse grading system used across secondary schools and higher education institutions. It combines percentage scores, letter grades, and GPA scales to evaluate academic performance effectively. However, grading systems can vary significantly across countries. For example, the grading system in Pakistan is largely based on percentage evaluation at the school level, while universities follow a 4.0 GPA system.
Secondary School Grading System
At the secondary level, Saudi Arabia uses a percentage and letter grade system:
| Grade | Percentage (%) | Description | US Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90 – 100 | Excellent (ممتاز) | A |
| B | 75 – 89.99 | Very Good (جيد جدًا) | B |
| C | 60 – 74.99 | Good (جيد) | C |
| D | 50 – 59.99 | Pass (مقبول) | D |
| F | 0 – 49.99 | Fail (راسب) | F |
Key Highlights
- 50% is the minimum passing mark
- Grades are primarily percentage-based
- Widely used across public and private schools
University Grading System (After Spring 1996)
Most universities in Saudi Arabia use a detailed letter grading system with plus (+) grades:
| Grade | Percentage (%) | Description | US Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 95 – 100 | Exceptional | A+ |
| A | 90 – 94.99 | Excellent | A |
| B+ | 85 – 89.99 | Very Good+ | A- |
| B | 80 – 84.99 | Very Good | B+ |
| C+ | 75 – 79.99 | Above Average | B |
| C | 70 – 74.99 | Good | B- |
| D+ | 65 – 69.99 | High Pass | C+ |
| D | 60 – 64.99 | Pass | C |
| F | 0 – 59.99 | Fail | F |
Additional Grades
- NP – Pass without grade
- NF – Fail without grade
- WP/WF – Withdraw (Pass/Fail)
- AU – Audit (no credit)
5-Point GPA Scale in Saudi Arabia
Many universities use a 5.0 GPA scale, especially for academic evaluation:
| Grade | GPA | Percentage (%) | US Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.76 – 5.00 | 95 – 100 | A+ |
| A | 4.51 – 4.75 | 90 – 94.99 | A |
| B+ | 4.01 – 4.50 | 85 – 89.99 | A- |
| B | 3.51 – 4.00 | 80 – 84.99 | B+ |
| C+ | 3.01 – 3.50 | 75 – 79.99 | B |
| C | 2.51 – 3.00 | 70 – 74.99 | B- |
| D+ | 2.01 – 2.50 | 65 – 69.99 | C+ |
| D | 1.01 – 2.00 | 60 – 64.99 | C |
| F | 0.00 – 1.00 | 0 – 59.99 | F |
Saudi Arabia GPA Calculator (How It Works)
Calculating your GPA in Saudi Arabia is simple if you know your course grades and credit hours. Before you begin, you can use our Number Order Calculator to organize your marks, percentages, or credit values, making the calculation process easier.
To calculate your GPA using the Saudi Arabia GPA calculator:
- Assign GPA values based on your grades (A+ = 5.0, A = 4.75, etc.)
- Multiply each grade by course credits
- Add all grade points
- Divide by total credits
Formula: GPA = Total (Grade Points × Credits) ÷ Total Credits
For example, a student scoring mostly A and B+ grades will have a GPA between 4.0 and 4.8, which is considered excellent.
Other Grading Systems in Saudi Arabia
International Baccalaureate (IB)
- 6 – 7 = A
- 5 = B
- 4 = C
- 3 = D
- 1 – 2 = F
Francophone System (Some Institutions)
- 16 – 20 = A
- 14 – 15.99 = A-
- 12 – 13.99 = B
- 10 – 11.99 = C
- Below 10 = F
Alternate School System (1–10 Grades)
- 1 = Very Good (A)
- 2 = Good (A)
- 3 = Satisfactory (B)
- 4 = Sufficient (C)
- 5 = Pass (S)
- 6 = Fail (F)
General Higher Education Grading Overview
Most universities follow this GPA structure:
- 95 – 100 = 5.0 (A+)
- 90 – 94 = 4.75 (A)
- 85 – 89 = 4.5 (B+)
- 80 – 84 = 4.0 (B)
- 75 – 79 = 3.5 (C+)
- 70 – 74 = 3.0 (C)
- 65 – 69 = 2.5 (D+)
- 60 – 64 = 2.0 (D)
- Below 60 = Fail
Some universities (e.g., engineering institutions) may use a 4.0 GPA scale instead.
FAQs About the Grading System in Saudi Arabia
1. What is the passing grade in Saudi Arabia?
The minimum passing grade is 50% in schools and 60% in universities, depending on the institution.
2. What GPA scale is used in Saudi universities?
Most universities use a 5.0 GPA scale, although some institutions use a 4.0 scale.
3. What is an A+ in Saudi Arabia?
An A+ corresponds to 95–100% and usually equals a 5.0 GPA, the highest possible score.
4. How is Saudi GPA converted to US GPA?
Saudi GPA (out of 5.0) is typically converted proportionally to a 4.0 scale, where high grades (A+, A) map to 3.7–4.0 GPA.
5. What does NP or AU mean on transcripts?
NP = Pass without grade. AU = Audit (course taken without credit).
6. Can I use a Saudi Arabia GPA calculator for studying abroad?
Yes, a Saudi Arabia GPA calculator helps convert your academic scores into internationally accepted formats like US GPA or ECTS.
7. What does a 3.0 GPA mean in Al Arabia Schools?
A 3.0 GPA in Al Arabia Schools typically falls in the 80% to 84% percentage range, which is considered a “B” grade (Very Good).
In most grading conversions used in the Gulf region and international school systems:
3.0 GPA → ~80% to 84% → B (Very Good)
3.3 GPA → ~85% to 89% → B+ (High Very Good)
3.7 – 4.0 GPA → ~90% to 100% → A / A+ (Excellent)
2.0 – 2.5 GPA → ~70% to 79% → C / C+ (Good)
1.0 – 1.5 GPA → ~60% to 69% → D (Pass/Acceptable)
This grading approach is commonly used in international curricula followed by schools such as Al Arabia Schools, where GPA is converted into performance bands for easier academic evaluation.
Conclusion
The grading system in Saudi Arabia is comprehensive, combining percentage scores, letter grades, and GPA scales. With both 5.0 and 4.0 GPA systems, it aligns well with international academic standards. Understanding these grading methods is essential for students planning to study abroad. Tools like the Saudi Arabia GPA calculator on GradeCalcHub help students easily convert their grades and accurately present their academic performance for global university applications.