If you’re a student from Israel planning to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how to convert your grades into the U.S. GPA system is an important step. Israel’s grading system has unique aspects that you’ll need to consider to accurately reflect your academic performance. Let’s walk through the process step-by-step.
Understanding the Israeli Grading System
Israel primarily uses a 0–100 grading scale in secondary schools and universities. A passing grade is typically 55 or 60, depending on the institution and academic level. The grading system is heavily influenced by final exams, coursework, and standardized tests such as the Bagrut (Matriculation Exams), which play a key role in university admissions. Here’s a breakdown of the typical Israeli grading scale:
| Israeli Grade | Percentage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 95–100 | Excellent | Outstanding performance |
| 85–94 | Very Good | High-level achievement |
| 75–84 | Good | Solid understanding and performance |
| 65–74 | Satisfactory | Adequate knowledge |
| 55–64 | Passing | Meets minimum requirements |
| Below 55 | Failing | Does not meet minimum requirements |
Key Features of the Israeli Grading System
- Final exams and coursework: Grades are determined based on a combination of coursework (homework, projects, and class participation) and final exams.
- Bagrut (Matriculation Exams): A major factor in university admissions. Students are required to take these exams in core subjects like Hebrew, English, Mathematics, and Sciences. High Bagrut scores can provide a competitive edge in university admissions.
- Universities: Higher education institutions often have stricter grading scales, where a score of 80 or above may be required to be considered a high-level grade.
- Variations by institution: Some universities or schools may use letter grades (A, B, C, etc.) alongside numeric grades.
The US 4.0 GPA System
The U.S. grading system is based on a 4.0 scale, where each letter grade is assigned a numerical value. Universities in the U.S. use this system to evaluate academic performance and determine eligibility for admissions and scholarships. Here’s how the U.S. grading 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% |
Unweighted vs. Weighted GPA
- Unweighted GPA: The most common system, where all classes are valued equally regardless of difficulty.
- Weighted GPA: Some U.S. high schools and universities use a weighted GPA system that gives extra points for advanced courses (e.g., Honors or AP). A weighted GPA can go up to 5.0 or higher for these advanced courses.
- For this guide, we’ll focus on the unweighted 4.0 GPA system since most international students are evaluated based on this standard.
The Conversion Process
Converting your Israeli grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA system requires a few clear steps. Follow this guide carefully:
Step 1: Gather Your Grades
- Obtain your official transcript from your Israeli school or university.
- Make sure to note if the grades are reported as percentages or letter grades.
Step 2: Match to U.S. Equivalents
Use the conversion table below to convert your Israeli grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA system:
| Israeli Grade | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|
| 95–100 | A | 4.0 |
| 85–94 | B | 3.0 |
| 75–84 | C | 2.0 |
| 65–74 | D | 1.0 |
| Below 65 | F | 0.0 |
Step 3: Assign GPA Values
- For each course, assign the GPA value based on the table above.
- If you have a mix of letter grades and percentages, convert them to a uniform format first (preferably percentages).
Step 4: Calculate Your GPA
- Add up the total GPA points.
- Divide by the number of courses to get your cumulative GPA.
- If your transcript lists credit hours, calculate your weighted GPA by multiplying the GPA value by the credit hours for each course, adding them together, and dividing by the total credit hours.
Example Conversion
Let’s say you have the following Israeli grades:
| Course | Israeli Grade | U.S. Grade | GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 95 | A | 4.0 |
| English | 88 | B | 3.0 |
| Science | 78 | C | 2.0 |
| History | 65 | D | 1.0 |
- Total GPA points = 4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 + 1.0 = 10.0
- Number of courses = 4
- U.S. GPA = 10 ÷ 4 = 2.5
If the Math and English courses are weighted higher (e.g., 3 credits each), the calculation would be:
- (4.0 × 3) + (3.0 × 3) + (2.0 × 2) + (1.0 × 2) = 12 + 9 + 4 + 2 = 27
- Total credits = 10
- Weighted GPA = 27 ÷ 10 = 2.7
Disclaimer: This table provides approximate conversions. U.S. universities may adjust the calculation based on their policies, so your official GPA might differ. Be sure to check with your target schools for their specific guidelines or use a tool like the GPA Calculator for more precision.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion table?
A: The table provides a general guideline. Specific universities may have their own evaluation methods, so check with their admissions office for confirmation.
Q: What if my school uses a letter-grade system instead of percentages?
A: Convert the letter grades to percentages using your school’s official grading scale before matching them to the U.S. system.
Q: How do the Bagrut exams affect my GPA?
A: The Bagrut exams are not directly factored into your GPA but are important for university admissions. Strong Bagrut scores can improve your overall application strength.
Q: What’s considered a competitive GPA for U.S. universities?
A: A GPA of 3.0 (equivalent to an 85 in Israel) is competitive for most universities. Highly selective schools may expect 3.5–4.0.
Q: Should I include weighted or unweighted GPA?
A: Most international applicants report an unweighted GPA unless specified otherwise by the U.S. university.
Final Tips
- Double-check the conversion guidelines of your target U.S. university.
- Strong Bagrut scores can complement a solid GPA.
- Focus on consistency and improvement in your academic record.
Good luck with your applications!