toetscijfers

Toetscijfers are numerical marks assigned to assessments in education. They indicate a student’s performance on a test, assignment, or examination and are recorded in the student dossier. Scales differ by country and institution; in many Dutch schools the common scale is 1-10, often with decimals (for example 6,5). In other systems, grades may be given as percentages or on a 0-20 scale. The minimum passing grade also varies by policy; in the Netherlands many schools use around 6 as the passing mark, but this is not universal.

Toetscijfers are typically used to determine a course grade and to track progress. They are usually weighted with other components such as homework, projects, participation, and presentations to form the final course result. They can influence eligibility for exams, standing within a program, and the awarding of credits or diplomas.

Institutions often publish marking criteria or rubrics to clarify expectations. In international contexts, some schools use different systems, such as letter grades (A–F) or percentages, which can affect comparability.

Criticism notes that toetscijfers may reflect only part of a student’s abilities and can be influenced by exam conditions, marking variability, or grade inflation. Therefore many schools supplement numerical grades with qualitative feedback, portfolios, or formative assessments to provide a fuller picture of learning.