How do international credential evaluators like WES convert Philippine grades?

World Education Services (WES) applies an inverted linear formula (US GPA = 5.50 - 1.50 * GWA) for grades between 1.00 and 3.00. A Philippine 1.00 converts to 4.00 US GPA (Grade A), 1.75 converts to approximately 2.88 US GPA (Grade B/B+), and 3.00 converts to 1.00 US GPA (Grade D). Grades of 4.00 and 5.00 receive 0.00 GPA (Grade F).

Philippine University Grade Conversion Matrix

Q: Why does UP use 1.00 as the highest grade while DLSU and Ateneo use 4.00?

The University of the Philippines adopted an inverted numerical scale (1.00 highest to 5.00 failing) influenced by early European and Spanish colonial academic traditions where rank 1 designates the top tier. De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University adopted the American collegiate standard where 4.00 represents grade A and 0.00 represents failure.

Q: How do registrars convert a DLSU 4.0 grade to a UP 1.0 scale when transferring?

Registrars use certified institutional transmutation tables based on CHED Memorandum Order No. 40 series of 2008. A DLSU 4.0 (97-100%) maps to UP 1.00, 3.5 maps to UP 1.25, 3.0 maps to UP 1.75, 2.5 maps to UP 2.00, 2.0 maps to UP 2.25, 1.5 maps to UP 2.75, and 1.0 (passing mark) maps to UP 3.00.

Q: What is the passing percentage in Philippine universities: 60%, 70%, or 75%?

Passing marks vary by institution. The University of the Philippines System historically sets its passing raw baseline at 60%. DLSU, Ateneo de Manila, and Mapua University require 70% for a passing grade (1.0 or D). UST, PUP, and most state universities set their passing standard at 75%.

Q: Does an Ateneo B+ equal a 1.75 or a 1.50 at state universities?

An Ateneo B+ carries 3.50 quality points (87-91%). On the UP and PUP grading scale, an 88-91% raw score corresponds to a 1.75 grade, while a 91-93% corresponds to 1.50. In standard cross-HEI evaluations, an Ateneo B+ maps to 1.75.

Q: Are PE and NSTP grades included in inter-university GWA computations?

Under CHED regulations, NSTP and Physical Education (PE) are mandatory graduation requirements but carry non-academic credit in most university GWA calculations. While they appear on official transcripts with numerical marks, registrars exclude them when calculating cumulative academic GWA for Latin honors and cross-institution credit transfers.

Philippine University Grade Conversion Matrix & Cross-HEI Equivalency Engine

Convert academic grades and General Weighted Averages across the UP 1.0–5.0 scale, DLSU 4.0 system, Ateneo QPI letter grades, UST percentage thresholds, and state university standards.

Official Regulatory Basis: CHED Memorandum Order No. 40 series of 2008 (Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education) and accredited university grading codes for transfer credentials.

Interactive Grade Conversion Selector

1. Select Source University / Scale

2. Enter Grade Value or Mark

Quick Honor & Threshold Presets:

Simultaneous Institutional Equivalencies

High Distinction

UP System

1.25

1.0–5.0 Inverted

DLSU Manila

3.5

0.0–4.0 Scale

Ateneo QPI

A (4.0)

Letter Grade / Points

UST Manila

1.25

94–95% Band

PUP / SUCs

1.25

94–96% Passing 75%

Mapúa Univ

1.25

Continuous Scale

Raw Percentage

94–96.9%

Equivalent Score

US 4.0 GPA (WES)

3.90 (A)

US Letter Grade

Relative Academic Spectrum Position 95.5th Percentile

Fail (5.00 / 0.0) Pass (3.00 / 1.0) Cum Laude (1.75) Magna (1.45) Summa (1.20)

Latin Honor Eligibility Status by University

UP System: Eligible (Cum Laude)

DLSU Manila: Eligible (Cum Laude)

Ateneo de Manila: Eligible (Cum Laude)

UST Manila: Eligible (Cum Laude)

PUP System: President's Lister

Mapúa University: President's Lister

Raw % Score	UP System	DLSU (4.0)	Ateneo QPI	UST (1.0)	PUP / SUCs	Mapúa	US (WES)	Academic Standing
97.00 – 100%	1.00	4.0	A (4.0)	1.00	1.00	1.00	4.00 (A+)	Excellent / Summa Tier
94.00 – 96.99%	1.25	3.5	A (4.0)	1.25	1.25	1.25	3.90 (A)	Superior / Magna Tier
91.00 – 93.99%	1.50	3.5	B+ (3.5)	1.50	1.50	1.50	3.70 (A-)	Very Good / Magna Tier
88.00 – 90.99%	1.75	3.0	B+ (3.5)	1.75	1.75	1.75	3.30 (B+)	Good / Cum Laude Tier
85.00 – 87.99%	2.00	2.5	B (3.0)	2.00	2.00	2.00	3.00 (B)	Above Average / Good
82.00 – 84.99%	2.25	2.0	C+ (2.5)	2.25	2.25	2.25	2.70 (B-)	Satisfactory / Average
79.00 – 81.99%	2.50	2.0	C+ (2.5)	2.50	2.50	2.50	2.30 (C+)	Fair / Average
76.00 – 78.99%	2.75	1.5	C (2.0)	2.75	2.75	2.75	2.00 (C)	Lowest Passing Average
75.00 – 75.99%	3.00	1.0	D (1.0)	3.00	3.00	3.00	1.00 (D)	Passing Baseline
70.00 – 74.99%	3.00 (Pass in UP)	1.0 (Pass in DLSU)	D (Pass in ADMU)	5.00 (Fail in UST)	5.00 (Fail in PUP)	3.00 (Pass in Mapúa)	1.00 (D) / 0.00	Conditional / Fail in SUCs
60.00 – 69.99%	3.00 (UP Passing)	0.0 (Fail)	F (Fail)	5.00 (Fail)	5.00 (Fail)	5.00 (Fail)	0.00 (F)	Failing Grade (Except UP)
Below 60.00%	5.00 (Fail)	0.0 (Fail)	F (Fail)	5.00 (Fail)	5.00 (Fail)	5.00 (Fail)	0.00 (F)	Absolute Failure

Raw % Score

UP System

DLSU (4.0)

Ateneo QPI

UST (1.0)

PUP / SUCs

Mapúa

US (WES)

Academic Standing

97.00 – 100%

1.00

4.0

A (4.0)

1.00

4.00 (A+)

Excellent / Summa Tier

94.00 – 96.99%

1.25

3.5

A (4.0)

1.25

3.90 (A)

Superior / Magna Tier

91.00 – 93.99%

1.50

3.5

B+ (3.5)

1.50

3.70 (A-)

Very Good / Magna Tier

88.00 – 90.99%

1.75

3.0

B+ (3.5)

1.75

3.30 (B+)

Good / Cum Laude Tier

85.00 – 87.99%

2.00

2.5

B (3.0)

2.00

3.00 (B)

Above Average / Good

82.00 – 84.99%

2.25

2.0

C+ (2.5)

2.25

2.70 (B-)

Satisfactory / Average

79.00 – 81.99%

2.50

2.0

C+ (2.5)

2.50

2.30 (C+)

Fair / Average

76.00 – 78.99%

2.75

1.5

C (2.0)

2.75

2.00 (C)

Lowest Passing Average

75.00 – 75.99%

3.00

1.0

D (1.0)

3.00

1.00 (D)

Passing Baseline

70.00 – 74.99%

3.00 (Pass in UP)

1.0 (Pass in DLSU)

D (Pass in ADMU)

5.00 (Fail in UST)

5.00 (Fail in PUP)

3.00 (Pass in Mapúa)

1.00 (D) / 0.00

Conditional / Fail in SUCs

60.00 – 69.99%

3.00 (UP Passing)

0.0 (Fail)

F (Fail)

5.00 (Fail)

0.00 (F)

Failing Grade (Except UP)

Below 60.00%

5.00 (Fail)

0.0 (Fail)

F (Fail)

5.00 (Fail)

0.00 (F)

Absolute Failure

Evolution and Structure of Philippine Grading Systems

Higher education institutions in the Philippines operate under distinct grading philosophies shaped by historical charter foundations. The University of the Philippines system uses a numerical scale where 1.00 represents the highest possible mark and 3.00 represents the passing threshold. Grades between 3.00 and 5.00 include 4.00 (conditional status requiring a removal examination) and 5.00 (complete course failure).

Private institutions founded under American academic models, such as De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University, implement ascending scales. DLSU operates a 0.0 to 4.0 numerical grade point average system in 0.5 increments. Ateneo de Manila uses a Quality Point Index (QPI) based on letter marks (A, B+, B, C+, C, D, F). In both institutions, 4.00 indicates outstanding performance and 1.00 or D represents the lowest passing grade.

Passing Threshold Discrepancies Across Philippine Universities

A primary source of confusion during inter-university student transfers is the difference in raw passing baselines:

State University Model (PUP, State Colleges) & UST: The minimum passing grade of 3.00 corresponds to a 75.00% raw score. Any performance below 75.00% results in a failing grade of 5.00.
De La Salle University & Ateneo de Manila University: The minimum passing grade (1.0 or D) corresponds to a 70.00% raw score. Scores below 70.00% receive 0.0 or F.
University of the Philippines System: The statutory passing grade of 3.00 is anchored at a 60.00% raw score. Scores between 55.00% and 59.99% receive a 4.00 conditional grade.

CHED Regulations on Credit Transfers and Transmutation

Under CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 40, series of 2008, receiving institutions must evaluate official transcripts of records (OTR) based on institutional comparability matrices. When a student transfers from a 4.0 system (e.g. DLSU) to a 1.0–5.0 system (e.g. UP or PUP), registrars map numerical grade points to the corresponding percentage intervals before computing the new cumulative GWA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does UP use 1.00 as the highest grade while DLSU and Ateneo use 4.00?

The UP System uses an inverted ranking scale derived from European and Spanish academic traditions where rank 1 represents top achievement. DLSU and Ateneo de Manila follow the standard American four-point grade point average model.

How do registrars convert a DLSU 4.0 grade to a UP 1.0 scale when transferring?

Registrars use CHED-approved transmutation schedules. A DLSU 4.0 (97-100%) maps to UP 1.00, 3.5 maps to UP 1.25, 3.0 maps to UP 1.75, 2.5 maps to UP 2.00, 2.0 maps to UP 2.25, 1.5 maps to UP 2.75, and 1.0 (passing mark) maps to UP 3.00.

What is the passing percentage in Philippine universities: 60%, 70%, or 75%?

State universities and UST require 75% for a passing grade (3.00). DLSU, Ateneo, and Mapua require 70% for a passing grade (1.0 or D). The UP System sets 60% as its statutory passing baseline for a 3.00 mark.

Does an Ateneo B+ equal a 1.75 or a 1.50 at state universities?

An Ateneo B+ represents 3.50 quality points (87-91% raw score). In state university schedules (PUP/SUCs), 88-90% maps directly to 1.75, making 1.75 the standard cross-institutional equivalent.

How do international evaluators like WES convert Philippine grades?

World Education Services uses the formula US GPA = 5.50 - 1.50 * GWA for grades between 1.00 and 3.00. Under this model, GWA 1.00 converts to 4.00 US GPA, GWA 1.75 converts to 2.88 US GPA, and GWA 3.00 converts to 1.00 US GPA.

Are PE and NSTP grades included in inter-university GWA computations?

NSTP and PE are mandatory statutory requirements but carry non-academic credit in cumulative GWA computations at UP, DLSU, Ateneo, and UST for Latin honor rankings and credit transfer evaluations.

Philippine University Grade Conversion Matrix & Cross-HEI Equivalency Engine

Interactive Grade Conversion Selector

Simultaneous Institutional Equivalencies

Latin Honor Eligibility Status by University

Comprehensive 12+ Philippine University Reference Matrix

Evolution and Structure of Philippine Grading Systems

Passing Threshold Discrepancies Across Philippine Universities

CHED Regulations on Credit Transfers and Transmutation

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does UP use 1.00 as the highest grade while DLSU and Ateneo use 4.00?

How do registrars convert a DLSU 4.0 grade to a UP 1.0 scale when transferring?

What is the passing percentage in Philippine universities: 60%, 70%, or 75%?

Does an Ateneo B+ equal a 1.75 or a 1.50 at state universities?

How do international evaluators like WES convert Philippine grades?

Are PE and NSTP grades included in inter-university GWA computations?