If you’re a student from Belarus planning to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how to convert your academic performance into the US 4.0 GPA system is essential. The grading systems between Belarus and the US differ significantly, but with the right approach, you can confidently translate your grades for US admissions officers. Let’s break it down step-by-step.
The Belarusian Grading System
In Belarus, the grading system is based on a 10-point scale, which is common across all educational levels, including high school and university. The system emphasizes both exam performance and continuous assessment (e.g., coursework, participation, and projects). Below is a table showing the typical grading scale in Belarus:
| Grade (Belarus) | Description | Percentage Range | US Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Excellent (Perfect) | 95–100% | A+ |
| 9 | Very Good (High) | 90–94% | A |
| 8 | Good (Above Average) | 80–89% | B+ |
| 7 | Fairly Good | 70–79% | B |
| 6 | Satisfactory | 60–69% | C+ |
| 5 | Acceptable (Passing) | 50–59% | C |
| 4 | Weak Pass | 40–49% | D |
| 3 | Unsatisfactory | 30–39% | F |
| 2 | Poor | 20–29% | F |
| 1 | Very Poor | 0–19% | F |
Key Features of the Belarusian Grading System:
- A score of 5 or higher is generally considered a passing grade.
- Grades are awarded based on a combination of:
- Final exams
- Class performance
- Coursework and projects
- Attendance and participation
- Some institutions may use an adjusted scale with additional qualitative remarks.
- Universities in Belarus also rank students based on their cumulative average (similar to a GPA).
National Ranking Systems:
- Belarusian universities do not have a centralized national ranking system comparable to the US SAT/ACT system.
- However, admissions to top universities in Belarus are based on centralized state exams conducted by the Ministry of Education.
The US 4.0 GPA System
The US grading system is based on a 4.0 scale, where letter grades are assigned specific numerical values. The GPA reflects a student’s overall performance and is used as a key metric for college admissions.
| US 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:
- An unweighted GPA (most common) reflects the raw average of grades without accounting for course difficulty.
- A weighted GPA gives additional points for advanced courses like AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate), sometimes raising the scale to 5.0.
For Belarusian students applying to US universities, unweighted GPAs are typically used for admissions, unless the school specifically requests a weighted GPA.
The Conversion Process
Follow these steps to convert your Belarusian grades to a US-style GPA:
Step 1: Collect Your Grades
- Gather your official transcript or grade report.
- If your school uses percentages or descriptive grades, use the table provided above for reference.
Step 2: Match to US Equivalents
Use this conversion table to align Belarusian grades with US letter grades and GPA values:
| Belarusian Grade | Percentage Range | US Letter Grade | US GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 95–100% | A+ | 4.0 |
| 9 | 90–94% | A | 4.0 |
| 8 | 80–89% | B+ | 3.3 |
| 7 | 70–79% | B | 3.0 |
| 6 | 60–69% | C+ | 2.3 |
| 5 | 50–59% | C | 2.0 |
| 4 | 40–49% | D | 1.0 |
| 3 | 30–39% | F | 0.0 |
| 2 | 20–29% | F | 0.0 |
| 1 | 0–19% | F | 0.0 |
Step 3: Assign GPA Values
- Assign a GPA value to each course based on the table above.
Step 4: Calculate Your Average
- Add up all your GPA values.
- Divide by the number of courses to get your cumulative GPA.
Example:
A student receives the following grades:
- 10 (Perfect) → 4.0
- 9 (Very Good) → 4.0
- 7 (Fairly Good) → 3.0
- 6 (Satisfactory) → 2.3
Calculation: (4.0+4.0+3.0+2.3) ÷ 4 = 3.325
Final GPA = 3.3 (Rounded to one decimal place)
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The table provides a general guideline. However, US universities may adjust the conversion based on their internal standards.
Q: What if my transcript shows percentages instead of grades?
A: Use the percentage-to-GPA conversion table to translate your marks into letter grades and GPA values.
Q: Does class difficulty affect my GPA?
A: For US admissions, most schools use an unweighted scale. However, advanced coursework or honors classes may be considered separately during the admissions process.
Q: What’s a competitive GPA for US universities?
A: A GPA of 3.5 or higher is considered strong for most universities. Top-tier schools may expect 3.7 or higher.
Q: Can I use plus/minus grading for conversion?
A: Most US universities simplify foreign grades into standard letter grades without plus/minus distinctions.
Final Tips
- Focus on consistency: A steady GPA over time matters more than occasional fluctuations.
- Be aware of university-specific guidelines: Some US schools may have unique policies on grade conversion.
- Double-check with your target universities: Many schools provide specific GPA conversion instructions on their websites.
Good luck with your applications!