If you’re a student from Portugal planning to apply to a university in the United States, understanding how to translate your grades into the U.S. 4.0 GPA system is essential. This guide will walk you through the Portuguese grading system, the American 4.0 scale, and how to convert your Portuguese grades accurately.
The Portuguese Grading System
In Portugal, the grading system varies slightly between high school and university levels but follows a structured numerical scale. The most common system uses a 0–20 scale, where 20 represents the highest possible score and 10 is typically the minimum passing mark. Coursework, exams, and class participation all contribute to final grades.
| Portuguese Grade | Description | Percentage Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Excellent | 95–100% | Rarely awarded |
| 18–19 | Very Good | 90–94% | Exceptional performance |
| 16–17 | Good | 80–89% | High achievement |
| 14–15 | Satisfactory | 70–79% | Competent performance |
| 10–13 | Pass | 50–69% | Acceptable performance |
| 0–9 | Fail | Below 50% | Insufficient performance |
Key Features of the Portuguese System:
- A score of 20 is extremely rare and indicates outstanding performance.
- Some high schools and universities may give additional weight to final exams when calculating the overall grade.
- At the university level, final grades are based on a combination of coursework, exam performance, and participation.
- Honors classifications are common at the university level:
- Cum Laude – Exceptional performance
- Magna Cum Laude – High performance
- Summa Cum Laude – Outstanding performance
The US 4.0 GPA System
The U.S. grading system uses a 4.0 scale, with letter grades assigned to different percentage ranges. This system is widely used across high schools and universities in the U.S.
| 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% |
- An A represents excellent performance, while a D is the minimum passing grade.
- The U.S. GPA is usually unweighted, but some schools use a weighted GPA to account for honors or AP courses. For example, an A in an honors course may be worth 5.0 instead of 4.0.
- Your GPA is a major factor in college admissions and scholarship decisions.
The Conversion Process
Converting Portuguese grades to the U.S. GPA system involves aligning your numerical scores with the U.S. letter grade system. Follow these steps for an accurate conversion:
- Gather Your Grades: Collect your transcript from your school or university.
- Match to U.S. Equivalents: Use the conversion table below to translate your Portuguese grades into U.S. letter grades and GPA values.
- Assign GPA Values: For each course, assign the corresponding GPA value.
- Calculate Your Average: Add up all the GPA values and divide by the number of courses.
| Portuguese Grade | Percentage Range | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–20 | 90–100% | A | 4.0 |
| 16–17 | 80–89% | B | 3.0 |
| 14–15 | 70–79% | C | 2.0 |
| 10–13 | 60–69% | D | 1.0 |
| 0–9 | Below 60% | F | 0.0 |
Example:
If you received the following grades in five courses:
- 18 → A (4.0)
- 17 → B (3.0)
- 15 → C (2.0)
- 14 → C (2.0)
- 12 → D (1.0)
Total GPA points = 4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 + 2.0 + 1.0 = 12.0
Divide by 5 courses = 12 ÷ 5 = 2.4
Your U.S. GPA = 2.4
Disclaimer: This conversion table provides an estimate. U.S. universities may have different evaluation policies, so check with your target institution for accuracy. Try using a GPA Calculator for more precise calculations.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion table?
A: It’s a guideline based on common grading scales. Each university in the U.S. may apply different rules, so always check with your target school’s admissions office.
Q: What happens if my school uses a different scale?
A: Some Portuguese institutions use a 0–100 scale or different grading criteria. In such cases, adjust the conversion based on the closest percentage equivalent.
Q: Do U.S. universities look at class rank?
A: Yes, some universities consider your rank within your class as an additional factor. A high rank can strengthen your application even if your GPA isn’t perfect.
Q: What if my school uses a weighted GPA?
A: The conversion here focuses on unweighted GPA. If your school calculates a weighted GPA, U.S. universities may request both versions.
Q: Is a 3.0 GPA competitive for U.S. universities?
A: Yes, a 3.0 GPA (equivalent to around 16–17 in Portugal) is competitive for many universities. Top-tier institutions may expect closer to a 3.5 or 4.0 GPA.
Q: Do U.S. universities care about my final exams?
A: Some universities may focus more on your cumulative GPA, while others value final exam performance. Be sure to highlight any strong exam results in your application.
Final Tips
- Focus on maintaining a consistent record of strong academic performance.
- If your school uses a different grading scale, ask your academic advisor for help in translating your grades.
- Double-check the specific GPA requirements of your target U.S. universities before applying.
Good luck with your applications!