If you’re a Peruvian student planning to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how to convert your Peruvian grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA system is essential. Let’s walk through the Peruvian grading system, how the U.S. GPA works, and how you can accurately convert your grades.
Peruvian Grading System Overview
Peru uses a 0 to 20 grading scale in most educational institutions, where 20 is the highest possible grade and 0 is the lowest. Grades are usually based on a combination of:
- Exams (midterms and finals)
- Coursework (assignments, projects, and presentations)
- Participation and attendance
Here’s a breakdown of the typical Peruvian grading scale:
| Peruvian Grade | Description | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 18 – 20 | Excelente | Excellent |
| 14 – 17 | Muy bueno | Very Good |
| 11 – 13 | Bueno | Good |
| 10 | Suficiente | Sufficient (Lowest Passing Grade) |
| 0 – 9 | Insuficiente | Insufficient/Fail |
Key points to note:
- A grade of 10 is typically the minimum passing score.
- Higher education institutions may adjust grading slightly depending on the field of study.
- Some universities may include decimal points in grades (e.g., 14.5 or 16.7) for more precise evaluation.
The US 4.0 GPA System
U.S. universities use a 4.0 GPA scale to evaluate student performance. Here’s how the scale breaks down:
| 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% |
- A 4.0 GPA is the highest and reflects excellent performance.
- A D (1.0) is the minimum passing grade.
- An F (0.0) indicates failure.
- The unweighted GPA system (out of 4.0) is the most commonly used by U.S. universities. Some schools use a weighted GPA for advanced courses (like AP or Honors), but this guide focuses on the unweighted system.
The Conversion Process
Converting Peruvian grades to the U.S. GPA system requires aligning them based on performance level. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Collect your transcripts and confirm the grading scale used by your school (0–20 is most common).
Step 2: Match each Peruvian grade to the U.S. equivalent using the table below.
Step 3: Calculate your overall GPA by averaging the GPA values based on the U.S. scale.
Here’s a helpful conversion table:
| Peruvian Grade | Description | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 – 20 | Excelente | A | 4.0 |
| 14 – 17 | Muy bueno | B | 3.0 |
| 11 – 13 | Bueno | C | 2.0 |
| 10 | Suficiente | D | 1.0 |
| 0 – 9 | Insuficiente | F | 0.0 |
Example:
Suppose your Peruvian transcript shows the following grades:
- 18 → A (4.0)
- 16 → B (3.0)
- 12 → C (2.0)
- 10 → D (1.0)
Total GPA points = 4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 + 1.0 = 10.0
Number of courses = 4
Average GPA = 10.0 ÷ 4 = 2.5
Your U.S. GPA would be 2.5.
Disclaimer: This table provides general guidelines. U.S. universities may adjust their evaluation methods or scales. Always consult your target school’s admissions office for specific requirements or use a GPA Calculator for precision.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion table?
A: This table reflects common Peruvian and U.S. standards, but individual schools may have different policies. Confirm with the admissions office of the university you’re applying to.
Q: How do plus/minus grades factor into the conversion?
A: Peruvian grades are typically whole numbers without plus/minus distinctions. If your school uses decimal points (e.g., 14.5), you can round it to the nearest whole number or consult the admissions office for guidance.
Q: Does the type of course (e.g., honors or advanced) affect GPA conversion?
A: U.S. schools may weigh advanced or honors courses more heavily, but for international conversion, most institutions stick to the unweighted 4.0 scale.
Q: What’s a competitive GPA for U.S. universities?
A: A GPA of 3.0 or higher (14+ in Peru) is competitive for most U.S. universities. Top-tier schools may expect closer to 3.5–4.0.
Q: Can I convert my Peruvian high school and university grades separately?
A: Yes, high school and university grades can be converted separately. Follow the same conversion method for each level.
Final Tips
- Focus on improving your GPA before applying by targeting higher grades in your current courses.
- Be aware that U.S. universities may calculate GPA differently for transfer credits—check with the admissions office for specific rules.
- Use a College GPA Calculator to double-check your calculations.
Good luck with your applications!