College Grade Equivalent in the Philippines Complete Reference Table 2026
Every Filipino college student needs one reliable reference a complete table showing exactly what each grade on the Philippine 1.00 to 5.00 scale means in percentage terms, in American GPA, in letter grades, and in academic standing. Not a simplified version. The full picture.
This is that reference. Every grade, every equivalent, every implication all in one place.
Filipino students can compute their General Weighted Average instantly using any combination of grades from this table the calculator applies the exact weighted formula used by all Philippine universities
The Complete College Grade Equivalent Table Philippines 2026
This is the comprehensive grade equivalent reference for the standard Philippine college grading system used by most universities including UP, UST, NU, PUP, FEU, UE, and the majority of state universities and colleges nationwide.
| Grade | Description | Percentage | GPA (4.0 Scale) | Letter Grade | Honor Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.00 | Excellent | 96–100% | 4.00 | A | Summa Cum Laude |
| 1.25 | Superior | 93–95% | 3.75 | A minus | Magna Cum Laude |
| 1.50 | Very Good | 90–92% | 3.50 | A minus | Magna / Cum Laude |
| 1.75 | Good | 87–89% | 3.25 | B plus | Cum Laude / Dean’s List |
| 2.00 | Satisfactory | 84–86% | 3.00 | B | Good standing |
| 2.25 | Fairly Satisfactory | 81–83% | 2.75 | B minus | Good standing |
| 2.50 | Passing | 78–80% | 2.50 | C plus | Passing |
| 2.75 | Barely Passing | 76–77% | 2.25 | C | Passing |
| 3.00 | Conditional Pass | 75% | 2.00 | C minus | Minimum passing grade |
| 5.00 | Failed | Below 75% | 0.00 | F | Must retake subject |
The Most Important Rule on This Table
The Philippine college grading scale runs in descending order lower numbers mean better performance. This is the complete opposite of the American GPA system where higher is better. A grade of 1.00 is the highest achievable. A grade of 5.00 is failing. Any student presenting a Philippine grade to an international institution must clarify this directional difference explicitly.
Every Grade Explained What It Really Means
1.00 Excellent (96–100%)
A grade of 1.00 is the pinnacle of the Philippine college grading scale. It represents mastery of 96 to 100 percent of all assessed material quizzes, projects, examinations, and all other components combined. Receiving a 1.00 in a subject means a student demonstrated near-perfect understanding across an entire semester. In international terms, this is equivalent to a 4.00 GPA the American A grade.
Students whose cumulative GWA reaches approximately 1.00 to 1.20 across their entire college career are candidates for Summa Cum Laude the highest Latin honor awarded at Philippine graduation ceremonies.
1.25 Superior (93–95%)
A grade of 1.25 represents outstanding academic performance one step below perfect. At 93 to 95 percent, a student receiving 1.25 consistently is in the Magna Cum Laude territory the second-highest Latin honor. In GPA terms, 1.25 is approximately 3.75, placing it in the A minus range internationally.
1.50 Very Good (90–92%)
One of the most sought-after grades in Philippine college. A grade of 1.50 at 90 to 92 percent places a student solidly in the academic honors zone. Consistent 1.50 grades build toward Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude eligibility depending on the specific cutoffs of the university. In GPA terms, 1.50 converts to approximately 3.50 — strong enough for most international graduate program applications.
For a detailed breakdown of what 1.50 means across specific universities, scholarship programs, and Latin honor eligibility, see our dedicated 1.50 grade equivalent guide.
1.75 Good (87–89%)
The most strategically important grade on the entire Philippine scale. A grade of 1.75 is the standard Dean’s List threshold students must achieve a semestral GWA of 1.75 or better to be recognized on the Dean’s List at most Philippine universities. It is also the Cum Laude boundary a cumulative GWA of 1.75 qualifies for Cum Laude at most institutions.
In GPA terms, 1.75 is approximately 3.25 meeting the minimum requirements for most international graduate school applications. See our complete 1.75 grade equivalent Philippines guide
2.00 Satisfactory (84–86%)
A grade of 2.00 represents solid satisfactory performance. It is the GWA threshold required by DOST-SEI scholars and many CHED scholarship programs for maintenance. A student consistently averaging 2.00 across subjects is in good academic standing with all standard scholarship requirements met. In GPA terms, 2.00 converts to approximately 3.00 at the minimum threshold for many international graduate programs.
2.25 Fairly Satisfactory (81–83%)
A grade of 2.25 sits between satisfactory and passing. It represents genuine understanding of subject material with clear room for improvement. In GPA terms, 2.25 is approximately 2.75. Students receiving consistent 2.25 grades are in good standing but need stronger performance to qualify for Dean’s List or maintain DOST-level scholarships. See our 2.25 grade equivalent guide for a full breakdown.
2.50 Passing (78–80%)
A grade of 2.50 is a passing grade at a 78 to 80 percent performance level. It is comfortably above the minimum passing threshold. In GPA terms, 2.50 converts to approximately 2.50 passing but below competitive international thresholds. See our 2.50 grade equivalent guide.
2.75 Barely Passing (76–77%)
A grade of 2.75 sits just above the minimum passing threshold of 3.00. At 76 to 77 percent, it signals that a student is meeting the minimum requirements by the narrowest meaningful margin. Consistent 2.75 grades across high-unit subjects are a clear academic warning sign a cumulative GWA pulling toward 3.00 leaves no buffer against academic probation.
3.00 Conditional Pass (75%)
The minimum passing grade. A grade of 3.00 represents exactly 75 percent performance the floor of what Philippine universities define as passing. In GPA terms, 3.00 converts to approximately 2.00 passing in American terms but below most competitive thresholds. A 3.00 in a 5-unit subject contributes 15.00 quality points at the worst possible passing grade level, creating significant drag on overall GWA. See our detailed 3.00 grade equivalent guide.For the full breakdown of what a 3.00 means for your GWA, scholarship standing, and recovery path, see our detailed 3.00 grade equivalent Philippines guide.
5.00 Failed (Below 75%)
A grade of 5.00 is a failing grade. The subject must be retaken. This grade has three major lasting consequences: it is included in GWA computation at the worst possible grade level, it disqualifies from Dean’s List for that semester, and it permanently disqualifies from Latin honors at graduation regardless of subsequent GWA performance.
How Philippine College Grades Differ From High School Grades
The grade equivalent system changes meaningfully between Senior High School and college in the Philippines.
In Senior High School under the DepEd K-12 curriculum, grades are expressed as percentages from 0 to 100 with 75 as the passing threshold. The components used are Written Works, Performance Tasks, and Quarterly Assessment, with weights varying by subject area.
In college, most universities convert these percentage outcomes into the 1.00 to 5.00 numerical scale. The minimum passing grade remains at the 75 percent level, but it is expressed as 3.00 on the numerical scale rather than as a percentage. The weighting shifts to a GWA system where credit units determine each subject’s influence on the overall average.
Grade Equivalents at Universities Using Different Systems
Not every Philippine university uses the standard 1.00 to 5.00 scale. For students needing to compare grades across institutions:
DLSU grades (0.0–4.0 ascending): A DLSU grade of 4.0 equals a standard Philippine GWA of approximately 1.00. A DLSU grade of 3.0 equals approximately a GWA of 1.75. Use the formula: Standard GWA ≈ 5.0 minus DLSU grade.
Mapua QPI (ascending): Mapua’s QPI of 4.00 equals a standard GWA of approximately 1.00. Use the same approximate formula: Standard GWA ≈ 5.0 minus QPI.
PISAY percentages: Directly express performance as percentages from 70 to 100. A PISAY grade of 90 to 92 percent corresponds to approximately a 1.50 on the standard scale.
Using the Grade Equivalent Table for International Applications
When applying for international graduate programs, scholarships, or employment, Filipino students often need to express their Philippine college grades in terms that international institutions can interpret.
The GPA column in the table above provides a quick reference for this conversion. However, the conversion is an approximation not an official equivalence. For formal international applications, the most reliable approach is to obtain a certified credential evaluation from WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), both of which accept Philippine academic transcripts and issue evaluations recognized by universities and employers worldwide.
When presenting grades informally in a personal statement, in a preliminary application, or in a conversation with a recruiter use the GPA column as your reference and note clearly that your grades are on the Philippine 1.00 to 5.00 descending scale where lower is better.
The mathematical foundation behind every GWA computation is the weighted arithmetic mean a concept used in academic grading systems worldwide, including the Philippine 1.00 to 5.00 scale.
Frequently Asked Questions About College Grade Equivalents
What is the equivalent of a 1.75 grade in the Philippines?
A grade of 1.75 on the Philippine college scale is equivalent to approximately 87 to 89 percent in raw performance, 3.25 on the American 4.0 GPA scale, and a B plus letter grade. It is the standard Dean’s List threshold at most Philippine universities and the Cum Laude GWA boundary at graduation.
What is a 2.5 grade equivalent to in the Philippines?
A grade of 2.50 in the Philippine college system is equivalent to approximately 78 to 80 percent in raw performance, 2.50 on the American 4.0 GPA scale, and a C plus letter grade. It is a passing grade comfortably above the minimum 3.00 threshold.
What is the highest grade in Philippine college?
The highest grade on the standard Philippine college numerical scale is 1.00, representing Excellent performance at 96 to 100 percent. This corresponds to a perfect 4.00 GPA in the American system. On the Philippine descending scale, 1.00 is the best possible academic result.
What does INC mean in the grade equivalent system?
INC (Incomplete) is a special grade notation not a numbered grade given when a student could not complete all course requirements before the semester ended but had a passing class standing at that point. INC grades are not included in GWA computation until the student completes the missing requirements and receives a final numerical grade. Unresolved INC grades that expire automatically become 5.00.
How do I know if my grade qualifies for Cum Laude?
For Cum Laude eligibility, your cumulative GWA the weighted average of every grade across all semesters of your entire college career must be 1.75 or better (numerically 1.75 or lower on the 1.00 to 5.00 scale). Additionally, you must have zero failing grades of 5.00 anywhere on your complete Transcript of Records and no unresolved INC grades at graduation evaluation. The exact GWA cutoff may vary by university always confirm with your registrar.