If you’re a student from Georgia planning to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how to convert your Georgian grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale is crucial for a successful application. This guide will walk you through the Georgian grading system, the U.S. GPA scale, and how to accurately convert your grades.
Georgian Grading System
The Georgian educational system follows a 10-point grading scale at most institutions, with 10 being the highest score and 1 the lowest. Georgian grades reflect both coursework and exam performance, but the weight given to each can vary between institutions and programs. Below is a typical breakdown of Georgian grades and their descriptions:
| Georgian Grade | Description | Percentage Range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Excellent | 91–100% | Outstanding performance |
| 9 | Very Good | 81–90% | Strong performance with minor errors |
| 8 | Good | 71–80% | Solid performance, but room for improvement |
| 7 | Satisfactory | 61–70% | Acceptable, but not strong |
| 6 | Fair | 51–60% | Performance meets minimum criteria |
| 5 | Sufficient | 41–50% | Marginal performance |
| 4 | Insufficient | 31–40% | Below passing standards |
| 3 | Poor | 21–30% | Inadequate performance |
| 2 | Very Poor | 11–20% | Serious deficiencies in performance |
| 1 | Failure | 0–10% | Completely inadequate |
Georgian universities may weigh final exams, coursework, and class participation differently. Some institutions use only whole numbers, while others allow for plus/minus grades (e.g., 8.5 or 7.7). Universities such as Tbilisi State University and Ilia State University adhere to this 10-point scale but may have slight variations in grading policy.
The US 4.0 GPA System
U.S. universities use the 4.0 GPA scale to measure academic performance. Each letter grade corresponds to a numerical value that represents the overall quality of work. Here’s how the U.S. scale works:
| 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% |
The 4.0 GPA system is unweighted, meaning all courses are treated equally. Some U.S. high schools and universities use a weighted GPA for honors or AP (Advanced Placement) courses, which can raise the scale to 5.0 or higher. However, for this guide, we’ll focus on the standard unweighted 4.0 scale.
The Conversion Process
Converting Georgian grades to the U.S. GPA scale involves matching the Georgian scores to their U.S. letter grade equivalents. Follow these steps:
- Collect Your Georgian Transcript – Get your official transcript, including all courses, grades, and credits.
- Match to U.S. Equivalents – Use the table below to convert each Georgian grade to the U.S. GPA scale.
- Assign GPA Values – For each course, assign the U.S. GPA value based on the corresponding letter grade.
- Calculate Your Average – Add up all the GPA values and divide by the total number of courses. If your transcript lists credits, use the weighted average approach:
GPA=∑(GPA×credits) ÷ total credits
Here’s a conversion table for Georgian grades to U.S. GPA:
| Georgian Grade | Percentage Range | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 91–100% | A | 4.0 |
| 9 | 81–90% | B | 3.0 |
| 8 | 71–80% | C | 2.0 |
| 7 | 61–70% | D | 1.0 |
| 6 and below | Below 60% | F | 0.0 |
Example:
Let’s say you’re applying to a U.S. university with the following grades in Georgia:
- 10 (Mathematics)
- 8 (History)
- 7 (Physics)
- 9 (English)
Using the table above, the conversion would be:
- 10 = 4.0 (A)
- 8 = 2.0 (C)
- 7 = 1.0 (D)
- 9 = 3.0 (B)
Total GPA = (4.0 + 2.0 + 1.0 + 3.0) ÷ 4 = 2.5
➡️ If credits vary:
- Mathematics = 3 credits, History = 3 credits, Physics = 2 credits, English = 2 credits
- Weighted GPA = (4.0×3) + (2.0×3) + (1.0×2) + (3.0×2) ÷ (3+3+2+2)
- Weighted GPA = (12 + 6 + 2 + 6) ÷ 10 = 2.6
Disclaimer: This table provides approximate conversions. U.S. universities may use different evaluation methods, so your official GPA might differ. Confirm with your target university or use a GPA Calculator for accuracy.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is the conversion table?
A: The table provides general guidelines based on typical Georgian and U.S. standards. Some universities might adjust conversions based on their own policies.
Q: What if my school uses a plus/minus system (e.g., 8.5)?
A: U.S. conversions usually simplify to whole grades, so 8.5 would be rounded to 8 (C). If your transcript specifies GPA values for plus/minus grades, use them.
Q: Do U.S. universities consider my national ranking?
A: No, U.S. admissions typically don’t factor in national rankings directly. However, they value strong grades and rigorous coursework.
Q: What’s a competitive GPA for U.S. admissions?
A: A 3.0 GPA (around a 9 in Georgia) is competitive for most schools, while elite institutions often expect 3.5–4.0.
Q: How do I handle high school grades?
A: Use the percentage-to-GPA conversion if your high school uses the 0–100 scale. For example, 90–100% = 4.0, 80–89% = 3.0.
Final Tips
- Check the specific requirements of your target U.S. universities since conversion policies vary.
- Focus on improving your academic performance early, as upward trends in GPA matter.
- If you’re unsure about the conversion, contact the admissions office directly or consult with an academic advisor.
Good luck with your applications!