Grading System
Current Grading System
A percentage system for reporting final grades was implemented by the University of Saskatchewan in September, 1986. The university-wide relationship between literal descriptors and percentage scores for undergraduate courses is as follows:
| 90-100 Exceptional |
A superior performance with consistent strong evidence of
|
|---|---|
| 80-90 Excellent |
An excellent performance with strong evidence of
|
| 70-79 Good |
A good performance with evidence of
|
| 60-69 Satisfactory |
A generally satisfactory and intellectually adequate performance with evidence of
|
| 50-59 Minimal Pass |
A barely acceptable performance with evidence of
|
| <50 Failure |
An unacceptable performance
|
Grading Alternatives and Comments
In addition, and where approved and relevant, the following alternatives are used:
| AEG | Aegrotat Standing |
| AU | Audit |
| CR | Completed Requirements |
| DEF | Deferred Examination Written |
| DEFG | Deferred Examination Approved |
| F | Failure |
| INF | Incomplete Failure |
| NA | Not Applicable |
| P | Pass |
| SPECDEFG | Special Deferred Examination Approved |
| SPECSPG | Special Supplemental Approved |
| SPECSUP | Special Supplemental Written |
| SUPP | Supplemental Written |
| SUPPG | Supplemental Examination Approved |
| W | Withdrawal |
| WAU | Withdrawal from Audit |
| WF | Withdrawal Failure (no longer used as of 201205) |
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is a grading alternative which appears permanently on a student's transcript as a W if they have withdrawn from a class after the last day to add or drop classes to avoid financial penalty. The W has no academic standing and does not impact the calculation of a student's Cumulative Weighted Average.
Incomplete Course Work
When a student has not completed the required course work, which includes any assignment or examination including the final examination, by the time of submission of the final grades, they may be granted an extension to permit completion of an assignment, or granted a deferred examination in the case of absence from a final examination. Extensions for the completion of assignments must be approved by the Department Head, or Dean in non-departmentalized Colleges, and may exceed thirty days only in unusual circumstances. The student must apply to the instructor for such an extension and furnish satisfactory reasons for the deficiency. Deferred final examinations are granted as per College policy.
In the interim, the instructor will submit a computed percentile grade for the class which factors in the incomplete coursework as a zero, along with a grade comment of INF (Incomplete Failure) if a failing grade. In the case where the instructor has indicated in the course outline that failure to complete the required coursework will result in failure in the course, and the student has a computed passing percentile grade, a final grade of 49% will be submitted along with a grade comment of INF (Incomplete Failure).
If an extension is granted and the required assignment is submitted within the allotted time, or if a deferred examination is granted and written in the case of absence from the final examination, the instructor will submit a revised computed final percentage grade. The grade change will replace the previous grade and any grade comment of INF (Incomplete Failure) will be removed.
Complete examination regulations are published on the University Secretary's website
Average Calculations
Each college is responsible for assigning credit values to courses within its academic jurisdiction.
To distinguish whether these averages have been computed for the work performed by the student in a session, or in a year, or for his/her total program, the terms Sessional Weighted (S.W.A.), Annual Weighted, and Cumulative Weighted (C.W.A.), respectively, are frequently used. Sessional Weighted Averages are calculated from courses taken in Fall and Winter Terms, Annual Weighted Averages are calculated from all courses taken in a year, and Cumulative Weighted Averages are calculated from all courses taken at the University.
Weighted Averages
Weighted averages are calculated by multiplying the grade achieved in each class by the number of credit units in the class. The sum of the individual calculations is then divided by the total number of credit units to produce the weighted average, subject to the University Council Regulations on Examinations. Students should consult with their college for policies on repeating classes and non-numeric grade conversion.
Example:
| Course | Grade | Credit Units | Weighted Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 100.6 | 73 | 6 | 438.00 |
| DRAM 104.6 | 67 | 6 | 402.00 |
| PSY 110.6 | 68 | 6 | 408.00 |
| CHEM 112.3 | 73 | 3 | 219.00 |
| MUS 140.3 | 71 | 3 | 213.00 |
| HIST 151.3 | 69 | 3 | 207.00 |
| GEOG 120.3 | 74 | 3 | 222.00 |
| TOTAL | 30 | 2109.00 |
Weighted Average (2109/30) = 70.30%
Academic Grading Standards
College regulations govern grading, promotion and graduation standards. Students should refer to the appropriate college sections of theCalendar for specific requirements.
Former Grading Practices
Percentage Grades (prior to Sept. 1982)
| Grade | Division | Equivalent |
| 80-100% | 1 (I) | A |
| 70-79% | 2 (II) | B |
| 60-69% | 3 (III) | C |
| 50-59% | 4 (IV) | D |
| 0-49% | (Failure) | F |
Eight Point Grades (Sept. 1982 to Aug. 1986)
| Point | Description |
U of S Percentage Equivalents Guideline |
| 8 | Exceptional | 90% |
| 7 | Excellent | 83% |
| 6 | Very Good | 78% |
| 5 | Good | 73% |
| 4 | Satisfactory | 68% |
| 3 | Adequate | 63% |
| 2 | Barely Acceptable | 58% |
| 1 | Minimal Pass | 53% |
| OS | Near Pass | 45% |
| 0 | Failure | 40% |
