Gesamtnote

Gesamtnote, literally “overall grade,” is the final grade that summarizes a student’s performance across multiple assessments. In German-speaking education, it is the grade attached to a course, module, degree program, or examination after all required components have been evaluated. The Gesamtnote appears on certificates and transcripts and can determine progression, graduation honors, and eligibility for further study or employment.

Calculation methods vary by country, state, and institution. Typically, a Gesamtnote is formed as a weighted average of individual grades from coursework, tests, practical work, internships, projects, and, in the case of degrees, a thesis or final exam. The specific weights and the grading scale are defined locally; German-speaking systems commonly use a numeric scale where 1.0 is the best grade and higher numbers indicate lower performance, with 4.0 or 4.5 commonly representing a passing threshold and higher values failing.

In secondary education, the Gesamtnote often refers to the final grade that accompanies the school-leaving certificate, combining results from written and oral exams and the course averages, again following jurisdictional rules. In higher education, the Gesamtnote for a degree is the weighted average of all required modules and the final component (such as a thesis or final exam) and is shown on the diploma and transcript.

Overall, the term emphasizes a holistic assessment rather than a single test, serving as the basis for the final evaluation of achievement within a defined program of study.