Grading method
Grades will be evaluated according to the subject matter as follows.
A grade of "Fail (D)" or "Fail (F)"will not be granted.
Five-step evaluation
| Definition and Letter Grade | Evaluation Criteria | Criteria out of 100 points |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent (S) | Achieved learning outcomes with exceptionally high grade. | 90 points or more |
| Very good (A) | Achieved learning outcomes with high grade. | 80 points or more |
| Good (B) | Achieved learning outcomes with good grade. | 70 points or more |
| Fair (C) | Achieved learning outcomes. | 60 Points or more |
| Fail (D) | Did not achieve learning outcomes. | less than 60 points |
Two-step evaluation
| Definition and Letter Grade | Evaluation Criteria | Criteria out of 100 points |
|---|---|---|
| Pass (P) | Reached the academic level for this course. | Not Applicable |
| Fail (F) | Did not reach the academic level for this course. | Not Applicable |
Courses under the credit transfer system
| Definition and Letter Grade | Evaluation Criteria | Criteria out of 100 points |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited (N) | Considered as completed as studied in an academic course at this university. | Not Applicable |
The GPA [Grade Point Average] system
In order to promote the internationalization of future education and increase the transparency of the grading system, we have introduced a GPA system beginning with the students who entered in the 2018 school year. The GPA system will indicate a student's relative standing both within and beyond the University. By calculating a GPA, it can become an index for current learning and achievement; we expect this to help students grasp their academic achievement more objectively and utilize it to create their learning plans.
System Overview
The GPA system is a common method used in European and American universities to evaluate academic grades. Students receive grade evaluations after course completion and it is converted into Grade Points (GP) with the student's overall average computed as a single value.
Calculation Method
There are five levels of Grade Points (S, A, B, C, D) as shown below.
| GP | Definition and Letter Grade | Evaluation Criteria | Criteria out of 100 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Excellent (S) | Achieved learning outcomes with exceptionally high grade. | 90 points or more |
| 3 | Very good (A) | Achieved learning outcomes with high grade. | 80 points or more |
| 2 | Good (B) | Achieved learning outcomes with good grade. | 70 points or more |
| 1 | Fair (C) | Achieved learning outcomes. | 60 points or more |
| 0 | Fail (D) | Did not achieve learning outcomes. | less than 60 points |
(For Reference)
| GP | Definition and Letter Grade | Evaluation Criteria | Criteria out of 100 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Applicable | Accredited (N) | Considered as completed as studied in an academic course at this university. | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | Pass (P) | Reached the academic level for this course. | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | Fail (F) | Did not reach the academic level for this course. | Not Applicable |
Targeted Students
The students who begin the Master's Course in the 2018 school year and all subsequent years.
*The GPA system is not used for the doctoral courses.
Targeted Subjects
All subjects that count towards completion of the Master's Course in the subject categories shown below. However, if a subject cannot be evaluated by the five-level grading scheme due to the nature of the subject, it will be excluded from the GPA calculation.
◇ General Subjects
◇ Basic Subjects
◇ Specialized Subjects
Types of GPAs and Calculation Method
- There is a GPA for the academic year (annual GPA) and a GPA for the entire program (cumulative GPA).
- Calculation of an Annual GPA
Annual GPA = The sum for all subjects of (the number of credits for a registered subject for the year × GP of the subject)/The total number of credits for the year's subjects. - Calculation of Cumulative GPA
Cumulative GPA = The sum for all subjects of (the number of credits for a registered subject for the program × GP of the subject)/The total number of credits for the program. - For any inquiries please contact
- Academic Affairs Section, Educational Affairs Division
E-mail: g-gakumu[at]ad.naist.jp
Here are the calculation methods for annual and cumulative GPAs. (Round off to two decimal digits in calculating a GPA.)
How to Treat Retake Subjects
If a student retakes a subject which he/she has failed, and receives a passing grade or another failed grade as a result, the earlier result and credits are excluded from GPA. (The data before the retake will be excluded.)
Treatment on Academic Record
Both the annual GPA and the cumulative GPA will appear on the academic record.
Notification of completed grade evaluation
Grades will be reported within three weeks after the completion of the course by the lecturer in charge and will be posted on "UNIVERSAL PASSPORT" (Educational Affairs Portal Systems).
Students can confirm the subject registration status and academic performance by means of academic records which can be obtained from the automatic certificate issuing machine in the entrance lobby of the NAIST Library.
