Philippine Normal University (PNU) Grading System & Academic Policies Explained
Understand PNU's official grading scale, Latin honors, Dean's List, and essential registrar rules. Learn how grades impact your academic standing at PNU.
Official PNU Grading System Explained
The Philippine Normal University (PNU), as the National Center for Teacher Education, maintains rigorous academic standards. PNU uses a numerical grading system where 1.00 is the highest possible grade and 5.00 signifies a failing mark. The minimum passing grade for any course is 3.00.
| Grade | Percentage Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00 - 1.24 | 97.00 - 100.00% | A (Very Outstanding/Excellent) |
| 1.25 - 1.49 | 94.00 - 96.99% | A- (Outstanding/Excellent) |
| 1.50 - 1.74 | 91.00 - 93.99% | B+ (Very Satisfactory/Very Good) |
| 1.75 - 1.99 | 88.00 - 90.99% | B (Moderate Satisfactory/Very Good) |
| 2.00 - 2.24 | 85.00 - 87.99% | B- (Satisfactory/Good) |
| 2.25 - 2.49 | 82.00 - 84.99% | C+ (Satisfactory/Good) |
| 2.50 - 2.74 | 79.00 - 81.99% | C (Fair/Satisfactory) |
| 2.75 - 2.99 | 76.00 - 78.99% | C (Satisfactory) |
| 3.00 | 75.00% | C (Passing) |
| 4.00 | 65.00 - 74.99% | Conditional Failure |
| 5.00 | 0.00 - 74.99% (below 65%) | F (Failed) |
| INC | - | Incomplete |
| W | - | Withdrawn (Official Withdrawal) |
The General Weighted Average (GWA) calculates a student's overall scholastic standing. It uses grades in all courses with credit units from the first to the fourth year.
PNU Latin Honors Requirements
PNU awards Latin honors for academic excellence. Eligibility depends on a student's General Point Average (GPA) for all courses and major courses. Grades from the first year to the fourth year are included in the computation.
| Honor | GWA/GPA Range | Major Course Grade Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors) | 1.0 to 1.125 | 1.25 or better |
| Magna Cum Laude (High Honors) | 1.126 to 1.375 | 1.5 or better |
| Cum Laude (Honors) | 1.376 to 1.625 | 1.75 or better |
General guidelines apply to honor students. Students must have taken all courses at Philippine Normal University. Courses taken in consortium institutions may be considered with University Registrar approval.
Important for Honor Candidacy:
- No failing grades (5.0), unauthorized withdrawals, or incomplete grades in any course, including NSTP, throughout the entire program.
- A student should have carried a regular load as prescribed in the curriculum. Underloading due to justifiable causes (e.g., health reasons, unavailability of subjects, being a working student) may be considered, but requires proper documentation submitted to the Office of the University Registrar during the semester of underloading.
Dean's List Criteria
PNU awards Certificates of Recognition to students who qualify for the Dean's List every semester/term. The criteria are:
- A rating of 1.75 or better (or 90% or better in older guidelines) in each of at least four (4) courses taken in the preceding semester/term.
- No grade lower than 2.0 (or 88% in older guidelines).
- No unauthorized withdrawal, incomplete, or failing grade in any course, including NSTP.
- Had a regular load as prescribed in the curriculum enrolled in.
Essential Registrar Rules & Policies
Understanding PNU's strict registrar policies is vital for academic progression.
Underloading Policies
Undergraduate students are generally limited to a maximum academic load of eighteen (18) non-laboratory units or twenty-one (21) units including laboratory. Graduating students with excellent academic records may carry a heavier load in their last year.
During summer sessions, the normal load is six (6) units, but up to nine (9) units may be allowed in justifiable cases with Dean's approval.
Warning: Honor Student Load Requirements
Candidates for graduation with honors must take not less than fifteen (15) units of credit or the normal load prescribed in the curriculum each semester/trimester/quarter. Lighter loads are justified only by reasons such as health, unavailability of subjects, or being a working student. Required documents must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar during the semester of underloading.
Failing Grades (5.0) Policy
A grade of 5.0 indicates a failing mark in a course.
Crucial: Dismissal from the University
A student receiving a failing grade in three (3) subjects within a semester/term, or five (5) cumulative failing grades (including unauthorized withdrawals) at the end of any semester/term, will be dismissed from the University. The University Registrar issues a warning for a single failing grade and refers the student to the Office of Student Affairs and Student Services for guidance.
Dropping Courses
Students may be dropped from a class roll after missing 20% of the total number of contact hours (in-person and synchronous online sessions). Students can generally drop a course on or before the 6th week in the trimestral scheme or 9th week in the semestral scheme, unless deemed meritorious by the faculty, SASO/SASU, University Health Services Unit, and the University Registrar.
Warning: Unauthorized Dropping
A student who drops a subject without filing a dropping form and securing the approval of the University Registrar will automatically receive a grade of 5.0 (failure) in the subject.
Incomplete (INC) Grades
An incomplete grade ("INC") must be completed within one semester/term.
Crucial: INC Completion Deadline
Failure to complete an incomplete grade within the specified period will automatically result in a failing mark (5.0). Students with incomplete grades may only enroll after settling their academic deficiencies.
PNU Honors Grade Estimator
Input your completed units and current GWA to see the average grade you need in your remaining units to hit your target honor range.
Please enter valid numeric values.