<York Calendars<Undergraduate Calendar 2001-2002<Academic Information

Grades and Grading Schemes

Except for courses taken under the Pass/Fail Option, courses in the Undergraduate Faculties represented in this publication are graded according to the following scale. The grade point values are used to compute averages. For information regarding the Pass/Fail option regulations, refer to the Grading information available in your Faculty's section of the Calendar.

Note: Only courses taken at York University are included in the grade point averages. The percentages indicated are not part of the official grading scheme and are meant only to be used as guidelines. The letter-grade system is the fundamental system of assessment of performance in undergraduate programs at York University.

Note: All of the above-noted grades are used to calculate averages and credits.

Definitions of Grading Descriptions:

A+ Exceptional. Thorough knowledge of concepts and/or techniques and exceptional skill or great originality in the use of those concepts/techniques in satisfying the requirements of an assignment or course.

A Excellent. Thorough knowledge of concepts and/or techniques together with a high degree of skill and/or some elements of originality in satisfying the requirements of an assignment or course.

B+ Very Good. Thorough knowledge of concepts and/or techniques together with a fairly high degree of skill in the use of those concepts/techniques in satisfying the requirements of an assignment or course.

B Good. Good level of knowledge of concepts and/or techniques together with considerable skill in using them to satisfy the requirements of an assignment or course.

C+ Competent. Acceptable level of knowledge of concepts and/or techniques together with considerable skill in using them to satisfy the requirements of an assignment or course.

C Fairly Competent. Acceptable level of knowledge of concepts and/or techniques together with some skill in using them to satisfy the requirements of an assignment or course.

D+ Passing. Slightly better than minimal knowledge of required concepts and/or techniques together with some ability to use them in satisfying the requirements of an assignment or course.

D Barely Passing. Minimum knowledge of concepts and/or techniques needed to satisfy the requirements of an assignment or course.

E Marginally Failing.

F Failing.

Calculation of Averages:

Two types of averages are calculated and reported to students: Sessional and Cumulative. All averages calculated for purposes such as determining eligibility to proceed and graduate are credit-weighted and include all attempts at graded courses, including failures.

Sessional Grade Point Average: This average reflects a student's grades for a particular academic session (e.g. Fall/Winter 2000-2001).

Cumulative Grade Point Average: This average reflects a student's grades over the entire undergraduate career in a student's particular degree program (e.g. all grades earned while completing a Bachelor of Arts at York University).

Definitions of Pass and Fail:

Passed Courses:

A passed course is one in which the student has achieved a grade of D or better.

Failed Courses:

There are two failing grades on the Undergraduate Grading Scheme: E (marginal failure) and F (failure).

Grades Release Dates (grade reports and transcripts):

Academic reviews occur prior to the release of grades on grade reports and transcripts. Grades submitted by an instructor are subject to review by the teaching unit in which the course is offered and by the Faculty Council or Faculty Committee on Academic Policy and Planning. Grades and transcripts are normally released by the Office of the Registrar when the review is completed.