Betygsskalaer

Betygsskalaer, or grading scales, are systems used by educational institutions to summarize a student’s performance in a course or program. They translate assessed work into a standardized symbol or number that can be used for progression, admission, and comparison. Scales vary widely between countries, between school levels, and over time.

Common formats include letter grades (for example A, B, C, D, E, F), numeric scales (such as 0–20 or 0–100), and pass/fail variants where a course is simply marked as passed or not. Some systems combine several elements, or use descriptors alongside an overall grade. In international contexts, there are often conversions or equivalencies to aid comparability, though these can be imperfect due to differences in grading culture and course difficulty.

In Sweden, betygsskalaer are used in grundskola, gymnasiet and higher education, and the exact scale can vary by period and reform. In higher education across many European countries, the ECTS grading scale is common, typically using A–F to indicate levels of achievement, with F denoting failure. Other countries rely on numeric scales or locally defined letter systems.

Interpreting and comparing scales requires care. Official transcripts and conversion guidelines help determine how a grade should be understood in another institution or country. Critics note that the variety of scales can complicate cross-border applications and the assessment of learning outcomes, underscoring the importance of clear documentation and context when communicating grades.