The South Korea Grading System Explained
South Korea uses A+ (4.5), A (4.0), B+ (3.5), B (3.0), C+ (2.5), C (2.0), D+ (1.5), D (1.0), F (0).
Korean finals (기말고사) split grade weight roughly evenly with mid-terms (중간고사). Relative grading at many schools means class rank matters.
Quick Example (35% final): 80% current → Need >100% for top grade | Need 80.0% for merit/good grade.
Korean universities are highly competitive; relative grading means your raw score is compared to classmates.
Korean universities are highly competitive; relative grading means your raw score is compared to classmates.
Score Reference Table — South Korea (35% Final)
| Current Grade | Need for A (90%) | Need for B (80%) | Need for C (70%) | Need to Pass (60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | >100% | >100% | 88.6% | 60.0% |
| 65% | >100% | >100% | 79.3% | 50.7% |
| 70% | >100% | 98.6% | 70.0% | 41.4% |
| 75% | >100% | 89.3% | 60.7% | 32.1% |
| 78% | >100% | 83.7% | 55.1% | 26.6% |
| 80% | >100% | 80.0% | 51.4% | 22.9% |
| 82% | >100% | 76.3% | 47.7% | 19.1% |
| 85% | 99.3% | 70.7% | 42.1% | 13.6% |
| 88% | 93.7% | 65.1% | 36.6% | 8.0% |
| 90% | 90.0% | 61.4% | 32.9% | 4.3% |
| 92% | 86.3% | 57.7% | 29.1% | 0.6% |
| 95% | 80.7% | 52.1% | 23.6% | ✓ Done |
How to Use This Calculator for South Korea Courses
The formula works identically regardless of grading scale — what changes is the label on the target. Use these conversions:
- First Class / Distinction / A = target 70-90% depending on your institution's cutoff
- Merit / 2:1 / B = target 60-70%
- Pass / 2:2 / C = target 50-60%
- Minimum pass = target 40-50% (check your institution's exact threshold)
Frequently Asked Questions
South Korea uses A+ (4.5), A (4.0), B+ (3.5), B (3.0), C+ (2.5), C (2.0), D+ (1.5), D (1.0), F (0).
Korean finals (기말고사) split grade weight roughly evenly with mid-terms (중간고사). Relative grading at many schools means class rank matters.
If your institution uses a non-percentage scale, convert using the guide above and enter the percentage equivalent.
Always check your institution's academic handbook for the exact grading scale and pass threshold.
Yes — divide total earned points by total possible points, multiply by 100, and use that percentage.
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