If you’re a student in Romania planning to apply to universities in the United States, understanding how to convert your grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA system is essential. The Romanian grading system is unique, but with a clear understanding of how it translates to the U.S. standard, you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward in your application. Let’s walk through everything you need to know.
Romanian Grading System
In Romania, the grading system is primarily based on a 1 to 10 scale, where 10 represents the highest possible grade and 1 is the lowest. Grades reflect performance on exams, coursework, and sometimes class participation, but the exact evaluation criteria can vary between institutions and academic levels. The grading breakdown looks like this:
| Romanian Grade | Description | Typical Meaning | Passing Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Excellent | Outstanding performance, highest distinction | Pass |
| 9 | Very Good | High academic achievement | Pass |
| 8 | Good | Strong performance with some minor mistakes | Pass |
| 7 | Satisfactory | Acceptable but with room for improvement | Pass |
| 6 | Adequate | Minimum acceptable performance | Pass |
| 5 | Marginal Pass | Just above failing | Pass |
| 4 | Insufficient | Below satisfactory, needs improvement | Fail |
| 3 | Poor | Very weak understanding | Fail |
| 2 | Very Poor | Incomplete understanding, major issues | Fail |
| 1 | Fail | No understanding or effort | Fail |
Romanian universities and schools often base grades on a combination of:
- Written and oral exams
- Projects and coursework
- Class participation
- Final year dissertations (for university-level studies)
Romanian grading can vary slightly between institutions. Some elite institutions may have stricter grading policies, where even a 9 is difficult to achieve. However, a 5 is the standard minimum passing grade across most Romanian schools and universities.
The US 4.0 GPA System
U.S. universities use the 4.0 GPA scale to assess academic performance. The scale assigns numerical values to letter grades, and GPA is calculated based on those values. Here’s how the U.S. GPA system 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% | Below Average |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% | Failing |
The U.S. GPA system is primarily unweighted (based purely on raw scores), but some high schools and colleges use a weighted GPA system that gives extra points for honors or advanced classes. However, for international applicants, the unweighted 4.0 scale is the most relevant standard.
The Conversion Process
Converting your Romanian grades to the U.S. GPA scale is relatively simple. Follow these steps:
1. Gather Your Grades:
Get your official transcript from your Romanian school or university. Make sure it reflects your final grades accurately.
2. Match to U.S. Equivalents:
Use the table below to convert your Romanian grades to U.S. GPA values.
| Romanian Grade | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | A | 4.0 |
| 9 | A | 4.0 |
| 8 | B | 3.0 |
| 7 | C | 2.0 |
| 6 | D | 1.0 |
| 5 | D | 1.0 |
| 4 and below | F | 0.0 |
3. Calculate Your Average:
- Assign the corresponding GPA value to each grade.
- Add up all the GPA values.
- Divide by the number of courses to get your average GPA.
- If your transcript includes credits for each course, multiply the GPA value by the credit hours, sum them up, and divide by the total credits.
Example:
Suppose you have the following Romanian grades:
- 10 → A = 4.0
- 9 → A = 4.0
- 8 → B = 3.0
- 7 → C = 2.0
Your GPA calculation would be:
(4.0 + 4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0) ÷ 4 = 3.25
✅ If courses have different credits, adjust the calculation based on credit hours.
Disclaimer: This table provides approximate conversions. U.S. universities may have their own conversion methods, so check with the specific school for their guidelines or use a tool like the GPA Calculator.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion table?
A: The table reflects common standards used for Romanian and U.S. conversions. However, some universities may use different scales or additional factors, so it’s best to confirm with your target institution.
Q: What if my Romanian school uses decimal points (e.g., 8.5)?
A: Round to the nearest whole number for GPA conversion. For example, 8.5 would convert to an A (4.0).
Q: Is a 7 in Romania considered a good grade in the U.S.?
A: Yes! A 7 in Romania is equivalent to a C (2.0), which is considered average but still passing in the U.S. system.
Q: Does class rank matter in the conversion?
A: No, class rank doesn’t affect GPA conversion, but it can play a role in your overall application. A high class rank can strengthen your chances of admission to competitive schools.
Q: Can I convert my high school GPA the same way?
A: Yes! The same conversion table applies to both high school and university-level grades.
Final Tips
- Research your target U.S. universities’ specific GPA requirements. Some schools may have different cutoff values or consider other factors like class rank and extracurricular activities.
- If your Romanian school already reports a GPA on a 4.0 scale, you may not need to convert anything—just confirm with the university if they’ll accept it directly.
- Strong grades in core subjects (like math, science, and English) carry more weight in competitive U.S. admissions, so focus on highlighting your strengths in these areas.
Good luck with your applications!