Grading scales

This page includes information on the grading scales that apply to qualifications we offer. There are some exceptions.

On this page:

Degrees, diplomas and certificates not listed separately

Grade points

Grade points can be used to calculate a grade point average (GPA). It is calculated by:

assigning numbers to grades (as set out in the table below)
weighting by course credit values
then dividing the sum by the credit total.

A GPA is commonly calculated at the completion of a qualification and is used by universities and other educational institutions globally as part of admission requirements. The GPA reflects the average grade across all courses, not just those that have been successfully completed. The higher the GPA the better the academic performance.

Grading scales for courses developed by Open Polytechnic

Grade Recorded	Interpretation	Course Outcome	Grade Points
A+	90 – 100%	Pass	9
A	85 – 89%	Pass	8
A-	80 – 84%	Pass	7
B+	75 – 79%	Pass	6
B	70 – 74%	Pass	5
B-	65 – 69%	Pass	4
C+	60 - 64%	Pass	3
C	55 – 59%	Pass	2
C-	50 – 54%	Pass	1
D	40 – 49%	Fail	0
E	0 – 39%	Fail	0
Pass	Awarded pass and no appropriate grade can be awarded	Pass	5
Fail	Failed course and no appropriate grade can be awarded	Fail	0
AEF	Aegrotat Fail	Fail	0
AEG	Aegrotat Pass	Pass	5
CC	Credit granted on basis of learning outcomes met via passes on other courses	Pass	N/A
EX	Exempt	Pass	N/A
FC	Failed Mandatory Component (including < 40% in Examination)	Fail	0
DNC	Did not complete all assessments, includes absence from examination	Fail	0
GP	Grade Pending	On hold	N/A

Grading scale for assessment components of courses developed by Open Polytechnic

Grade Recorded	Interpretation	Final Outcome
A+	90 – 100%	Pass
A	85 – 89%	Pass
A-	80 – 84%	Pass
B+	75 – 79%	Pass
B	70 - 74%	Pass
B-	65 – 69%	Pass
C+	60 – 64%	Pass
C	55 – 59%	Pass
C-	50 – 54%	Pass
D	40 – 49%	Fail
E	0 – 39%	Fail
F	Attempted assessment, did not meet subminimum requirement	Fail
CM	Competent (competency based assessment)	Pass
NY	Not yet competent (competency based assessment)	Fail
AE	Excellence (marks used to determine result)	Pass
AM	Merit (marks used to determine result)	Pass
AC	Achieved (marks used to determine result)	Pass
NA	Not Achieved (marks used to determine result)	Fail
EX	Exempt	Pass
FS	Failed To Submit	Fail
AB	Absent from the Examination	Fail
GP	Grade Pending (place holder when waiting for a result – e.g. valid extension)	On hold

Grading scale for qualifications not developed by Open Polytechnic

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology and the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) have a grading scale set by external organisations.

Bachelor of Engineering Technology

HD	85 – 100%	High Distinction
A	75 – 84%	Distinction
B	65 – 74%	Credit
C	50 – 64%	Pass
F	0 – 49%	Fail
AG	Aegrotat Pass
AB	Absent Final Exam
P	Pass Residential Practice Unit
F	Fail Residential Practice Unit
FS	Failed To Submit

New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6)

A+	90 – 100%	Pass
A	85 – 89%	Pass
A-	80 – 84%	Pass
B+	75 – 79%	Pass
B	70 – 74%	Pass
B-	65 – 69%	Pass
C+	60 – 64%	Pass
C	55 – 59%	Pass
C-	50 – 54%	Pass
D	40 – 49%	Fail
E	0 – 39%	Fail
AG	Aegrotat Pass
FR	Failed Final Exam (achieved less than 40% in the examination where this applies)
FE	Fail Final Exam
AB	Absent Final Exam
FC	Failed Mandatory Component
FS	Failed To Submit

Related information

How your work will be assessed

Special consideration for in-course assessments

Reconsiderations, resits, and the return of exam papers

Results