If you’re a Greek student planning to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how to convert your academic achievements into the U.S. GPA system is crucial. The grading systems in Greece differ slightly between secondary schools and universities, but with the right information, you’ll be able to convert your grades accurately and confidently. Let’s break it down step-by-step.
The Greek Grading System
In Greece, the grading system varies slightly depending on the level of education (secondary school vs. university). However, it generally follows a 0–20 scale at the secondary level and a 0–10 scale at the university level. Grades are usually based on a combination of exams, coursework, and class participation. Here’s a breakdown of the typical Greek grading systems:
Greek Secondary School Grading Scale
| Grade | Description | Meaning | Equivalent US Letter Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | Άριστα (Arista) | Excellent | A |
| 16–17.9 | Πολύ Καλά (Poly Kala) | Very Good | B+ |
| 14–15.9 | Καλά (Kala) | Good | B |
| 12–13.9 | Μέτρια (Metria) | Satisfactory | C |
| 10–11.9 | Ανεπαρκής (Aneparkis) | Passing but Weak | D |
| 0–9.9 | Αποτυχία (Apotyhia) | Fail | F |
- A score of 10 is the minimum passing grade.
- Grades in secondary schools are often determined by a mix of written exams, oral tests, class participation, and projects.
Greek University Grading Scale
At the university level, the grading scale shifts to a 0–10 system:
| Grade | Description | Equivalent US Letter Grade | Equivalent US GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9–10 | Άριστα (Arista) – Excellent | A | 4.0 |
| 7–8.9 | Πολύ Καλά (Poly Kala) – Very Good | B+ | 3.5 |
| 6–6.9 | Καλά (Kala) – Good | B | 3.0 |
| 5–5.9 | Μέτρια (Metria) – Satisfactory | C | 2.0 |
| 0–4.9 | Αποτυχία (Apotyhia) – Fail | F | 0.0 |
- A grade of 5 is the minimum passing grade at the university level.
- Greek universities place a heavy emphasis on final exams, though coursework and participation may also contribute to final grades.
The US 4.0 GPA System
Now that you understand the Greek grading scale, let’s explore how the U.S. GPA system works. U.S. universities use a 4.0 GPA scale to evaluate academic performance. Here’s how it typically looks:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage Range |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
- An A (4.0) reflects excellent performance.
- A D (1.0) is considered the lowest passing grade.
- Some U.S. schools use a weighted GPA scale for advanced courses (like AP or IB), but for international conversions, the unweighted 4.0 scale is the standard.
👉 Learn more about the 4.0 GPA system.
The Conversion Process
Follow these steps to convert your Greek grades to the U.S. GPA system:
- Gather Your Transcript – Get an official copy of your transcript from your Greek school or university.
- Match Grades to U.S. Equivalents – Use the conversion table below to align Greek grades with U.S. letter grades and GPA values.
- Assign GPA Values – Apply the GPA value to each grade.
- Calculate Your Average – Add up all GPA values and divide by the number of courses to get your overall GPA.
Greek to U.S. GPA Conversion Table (University Level)
| Greek Grade | Greek Description | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9–10 | Άριστα (Excellent) | A | 4.0 |
| 7–8.9 | Πολύ Καλά (Very Good) | B+ | 3.5 |
| 6–6.9 | Καλά (Good) | B | 3.0 |
| 5–5.9 | Μέτρια (Satisfactory) | C | 2.0 |
| 0–4.9 | Αποτυχία (Fail) | F | 0.0 |
👉 Try the GPA Calculator to double-check your conversions.
Example:
Suppose you have the following grades from a Greek university:
- 9 (Άριστα) = A = 4.0
- 8.5 (Πολύ Καλά) = B+ = 3.5
- 6.7 (Καλά) = B = 3.0
- 5.5 (Μέτρια) = C = 2.0
Your total GPA calculation would look like this: (4.0+3.5+3.0+2.0)÷4=3.125(4.0 + 3.5 + 3.0 + 2.0) ÷ 4 = 3.125
Your U.S. GPA = 3.1
Disclaimer: The conversion table provides approximate values. U.S. universities may use their own methods for evaluating international transcripts, so check directly with your target schools.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion table?
A: The table offers a general guideline based on typical Greek and U.S. standards. However, specific universities may adjust their conversions, so it’s an estimate.
Q: How do Greek plus/minus grades (if applicable) translate to the U.S. system?
A: Greek universities generally don’t use plus/minus distinctions, but if they do, round it to the nearest whole letter grade for U.S. conversion.
Q: Do Greek national exams affect my GPA?
A: No. Greek national exams (like the Panhellenic Exams) are important for university admissions in Greece but don’t factor into U.S. GPA calculations.
Q: What’s a competitive GPA for U.S. universities?
A: A GPA of 3.0 or higher is competitive for many U.S. schools. Top-tier universities may expect closer to 3.5–4.0.
Q: Do I need to convert high school and university grades separately?
A: Yes. High school grades (0–20 scale) and university grades (0–10 scale) are evaluated separately.
Final Tips
- Always check with your target U.S. universities for specific GPA conversion policies.
- Focus on improving your GPA by reviewing study habits and targeting weak areas.
- If you’re struggling with conversion, use a GPA conversion tool for accuracy.
Good luck with your applications!