If you’re a student from Albania looking to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how your academic performance translates into the U.S. GPA system is essential. This guide will walk you through the Albanian grading system, explain the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale, and show you how to convert your Albanian grades accurately.
The Albanian Grading System
In Albania, the education system uses a numerical grading scale from 4 to 10, where 10 is the highest score. The grading system applies to high schools and universities, with slight variations depending on the institution and level of education.
| Grade | Description | Meaning | Approximate Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Shkëlqyeshëm (Excellent) | Outstanding Performance | 90–100% |
| 9 | Shumë Mirë (Very Good) | Very Good | 80–89% |
| 8 | Mirë (Good) | Good | 70–79% |
| 7 | Kaluar (Passed) | Satisfactory | 60–69% |
| 6 | Mjaftueshëm (Sufficient) | Minimum Passing Grade | 50–59% |
| 5 | Dobët (Weak) | Barely Passing | 40–49% |
| 4 | Mbetej (Fail) | Failing Grade | Below 40% |
Key Features of the Albanian Grading System:
- High school graduation: To graduate, students typically need to maintain an average grade of 6 or higher.
- University admissions: Albanian universities rely on high school grades and scores from the Matura Shtetërore (State Matura Exam) for admissions.
- Matura Shtetërore: A national exam taken at the end of high school, scored on a scale of 0–60 points. This score influences university placement but does not directly affect GPA.
The US 4.0 GPA System
In the U.S., grades are based on a 4.0 GPA scale, where letter grades are assigned a numerical value:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage Range (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90–100% |
| B | 3.0 | 80–89% |
| C | 2.0 | 70–79% |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
Unweighted vs. Weighted GPA:
- Unweighted GPA: This is the most common GPA used by U.S. universities. It reflects pure academic performance without considering course difficulty.
- Weighted GPA: Some U.S. high schools use a weighted GPA that gives additional points for honors or AP (Advanced Placement) courses. For this guide, we’ll focus on the unweighted GPA.
The Conversion Process
Converting your Albanian grades to the U.S. GPA system requires aligning them with their U.S. equivalents. Follow these steps:
- Collect your grades – Obtain your official transcript with your final grades.
- Match to U.S. Equivalents – Use the table below to convert each Albanian grade to a U.S. GPA value.
- Calculate GPA – Add all converted GPA values and divide by the number of courses.
- Account for credits – If courses have different credit values, multiply each GPA by the credit hours, sum them, and divide by the total number of credits.
Albanian-to-U.S. GPA Conversion Table:
| Albanian Grade | Description | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Excellent | A | 4.0 |
| 9 | Very Good | B | 3.0 |
| 8 | Good | C | 2.0 |
| 7 | Satisfactory | D | 1.0 |
| 6 | Sufficient | D- | 0.7 |
| 5 | Weak | F | 0.0 |
| 4 | Fail | F | 0.0 |
Example:
Let’s say you have the following grades:
- 10 (Excellent) → A → 4.0
- 9 (Very Good) → B → 3.0
- 8 (Good) → C → 2.0
- 7 (Satisfactory) → D → 1.0
Step 1: Add the GPA values:
4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 + 1.0 = 10.0
Step 2: Divide by the number of courses:
10.0 ÷ 4 = 2.5
👉 Your U.S. GPA is 2.5.
If your courses have different credits, you can calculate using weighted averages:
- (4.0 × 3) + (3.0 × 3) + (2.0 × 2) + (1.0 × 2) = 12 + 9 + 4 + 2 = 27
- Total credits = 10
- GPA = 27 ÷ 10 = 2.7
Disclaimer: This table provides estimated conversions. U.S. universities may use different evaluation methods, so your official GPA might vary. Be sure to check with your target schools or use a tool like the GPA Calculator for more accuracy.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The table provides an estimate based on typical grading scales. However, U.S. universities may have specific policies, so you should check with individual schools.
Q: How does the Matura Shtetërore affect my GPA?
A: The Matura Shtetërore score does not convert to a U.S. GPA. However, universities may consider it as part of the overall admissions process.
Q: What about plus/minus grades?
A: Most Albanian schools do not use plus/minus grades, so standard whole-number grades are usually sufficient for conversion.
Q: What’s a competitive GPA for U.S. universities?
A: A GPA of 3.0 or higher (around an Albanian 9) is competitive for most U.S. universities. Elite schools often expect closer to a 3.7–4.0.
Q: How can I improve my GPA for U.S. admissions?
A: Focus on improving your coursework scores and understanding how they translate. You can also explore strategies in How to Raise GPA.
Final Tips
- Double-check your target university’s GPA conversion policy to avoid surprises.
- If your grades are borderline, consider explaining your grading system in the application’s optional essay.
- Use a tool like the GPA Calculator to get the most precise conversion.
Good luck with your applications!