If you’re a North Korean student planning to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how to convert your academic achievements into the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale is a key step toward a successful application. North Korea’s grading system is highly centralized, reflecting the structured and standardized nature of its education system.
North Korean Grading System Overview
Education in North Korea is strictly controlled by the government and follows a structured and centralized format. The grading system used in schools and universities is based on a 5-point scale, where 5 represents the highest performance and 1 indicates failure. Here’s a breakdown of the typical North Korean grading scale:
| Grade | Description | Percentage Range | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Excellent | 90–100% | A |
| 4 | Good | 80–89% | B |
| 3 | Average | 70–79% | C |
| 2 | Poor | 60–69% | D |
| 1 | Fail | Below 60% | F |
Grades in North Korea are determined through a combination of:
- Examinations – Major weight on academic performance comes from written and oral exams.
- Classroom Participation – Some courses factor in class attendance and engagement.
- Assignments and Projects – Though less common, some practical courses include project-based evaluation.
- Political and Ideological Evaluation – North Korean students are often assessed on their ideological commitment and participation in political activities, though this does not directly translate into a Western-style grading system.
Variations Between Institutions
The grading system in North Korea is relatively uniform across the country due to centralized control by the government’s Ministry of Education. However, some elite institutions, such as Kim Il Sung University and Kim Chaek University of Technology, may have stricter internal standards.
National Ranking System
North Korea does not have a competitive university entrance exam comparable to Japan’s Common Test for University Admissions or China’s Gaokao. Instead, university placement is largely influenced by political background, family status (Songbun), and overall academic performance. Merit alone does not guarantee entry into the top-tier universities.
The US 4.0 GPA System
To succeed with your U.S. university application, you’ll need to understand the U.S. grading system. U.S. universities typically use a 4.0 GPA scale to evaluate academic performance. Here’s how it works:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage Range (Typical) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90–100% | Excellent |
| B | 3.0 | 80–89% | Good |
| C | 2.0 | 70–79% | Average |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% | Passing |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% | Failing |
- Unweighted GPA: Most U.S. universities use an unweighted 4.0 GPA scale, which doesn’t account for course difficulty.
- Weighted GPA: Some high schools offer weighted GPAs, giving extra points for Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes, but this is less relevant for international students since U.S. universities will typically recalculate your GPA using the unweighted scale.
The Conversion Process
Here’s a step-by-step guide to converting your North Korean grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale:
1. Gather Your Grades
Obtain an official transcript or grade report from your North Korean institution.
2. Match to U.S. Equivalents
Use the conversion table below to translate each North Korean grade to its U.S. GPA equivalent:
| North Korean Grade | Percentage Range | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 90–100% | A | 4.0 |
| 4 | 80–89% | B | 3.0 |
| 3 | 70–79% | C | 2.0 |
| 2 | 60–69% | D | 1.0 |
| 1 | Below 60% | F | 0.0 |
3. Assign GPA Values
For each course, assign the U.S. GPA value based on your North Korean grade.
4. Calculate Your Average
- Add up all the GPA values.
- Divide by the number of courses.
- If your transcript lists credit hours for each course, multiply the GPA value by the credit hours, sum them, and divide by the total credits.
Example:
Suppose your North Korean transcript shows the following grades:
- 5 (90%) = 4.0 GPA
- 4 (85%) = 3.0 GPA
- 3 (75%) = 2.0 GPA
- 2 (65%) = 1.0 GPA
Calculation:
- 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 your transcript includes different credit values for each course, adjust the calculation by multiplying each GPA value by the course credit hours.
Disclaimer: This table provides an approximate conversion. U.S. universities may use their own evaluation methods, so your official GPA might differ. Check with your target schools for specific requirements or use a tool like the GPA Calculator for precision.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion table?
A: The table reflects general North Korean grading standards, but U.S. universities may adjust the conversion based on their policies. Contact the admissions office for confirmation.
Q: What if my North Korean school uses additional grading symbols?
A: If you encounter symbols like + or -, you may need to clarify how these affect the numerical grade with your institution.
Q: Will my political background affect my U.S. application?
A: No, U.S. universities evaluate academic records independently of political status or background.
Q: What’s a competitive GPA for U.S. universities?
A: A GPA of 3.0 (around 80% in North Korea) is competitive for many schools. Top-tier universities often expect closer to 3.5–4.0.
Q: How do I handle missing grades or incomplete records?
A: If your transcript is incomplete, contact your school to obtain official documentation. U.S. universities may allow you to submit an explanation or alternative records.
Final Tips
- Focus on improving your GPA by understanding the U.S. grading system and aligning your study habits accordingly.
- Be prepared to explain any discrepancies in your academic record during the application process.
- If you have unique circumstances, such as studying abroad or transfer credits, provide additional documentation to support your case.
Good luck with your applications!