Korean Letter Grade Calculator - A+/A/B+/B Converter
Table of Contents
Korean Letter Grade Calculator
Convert Percentage to Letter Grade
Your Korean Letter Grade:
Percentage:
Grade Range:
Description:
GPA (4.5 Scale)
GPA (4.3 Scale)
GPA (4.0 Scale)
Status:
Find Percentage Range for Letter Grade
Percentage Required:
Percentage Range:
Minimum Score Needed:
Maximum Score:
Description:
GPA (4.5 Scale)
GPA (4.3 Scale)
GPA (4.0 Scale)
What is Korean Letter Grading System?
The Korean letter grading system is a comprehensive alphabetical performance evaluation framework used by South Korean universities to assess and communicate student academic achievement. This system employs letter grades ranging from A+ (highest) to F (fail), with each letter grade representing a specific percentage range and corresponding quality of performance. The system is characterized by its use of plus and minus modifiers that create 13 distinct grade levels, providing more nuanced evaluation than simple A-B-C-D-F systems used in some other countries.
Developed under the guidance of South Korea's Ministry of Education, the letter grading system serves as a standardized communication tool that allows students, parents, employers, and educational institutions to quickly understand academic performance levels. Each letter grade carries specific meaning: A+ and A grades (95-100% and 90-94%) represent excellent performance and place students in the top tier, making them competitive for prestigious graduate programs and employment opportunities. B+ and B grades (83-85% and 80-82%) indicate good to above-average performance suitable for most career paths and further education.
The system's granularity, with distinctions like A-, B+, and B-, reflects South Korea's highly competitive educational culture where even small performance differences can impact opportunities. This detailed classification emerged from Korean universities' need to differentiate student performance in environments where relative grading policies often cluster many students around similar percentage scores. The letter grade system also facilitates international academic mobility, as Korean letter grades can be more easily interpreted by foreign universities than purely numerical percentage systems.
One distinctive aspect of Korean letter grading is its integration with the 4.5 GPA scale, where each letter grade corresponds to a specific grade point value used for cumulative GPA calculation. For example, A+ = 4.5, A = 4.0, B+ = 3.5, creating a mathematical framework for aggregating performance across multiple courses. This dual representation—both qualitative (letter) and quantitative (GPA)—provides flexibility for different evaluation contexts, from transcript reporting to scholarship eligibility determination to employment screening.
Complete Korean Letter Grade Scale
The following table presents the comprehensive Korean university letter grading system, showing the relationship between percentage scores, letter grades, GPA values across multiple scales, and descriptive interpretations:
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range | GPA (4.5) | GPA (4.3) | GPA (4.0) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 95-100% | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.0 | Excellent, Outstanding |
| A | 90-94% | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | Very Good, Superior |
| A- | 86-89% | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | Good Plus, Above Very Good |
| B+ | 83-85% | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.3 | Good, Commendable |
| B | 80-82% | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | Above Average, Solid |
| B- | 77-79% | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 | Average Plus, Satisfactory Plus |
| C+ | 74-76% | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.3 | Satisfactory, Acceptable |
| C | 70-73% | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | Average, Adequate |
| C- | 67-69% | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | Below Average Plus |
| D+ | 64-66% | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.3 | Below Average, Marginal Pass |
| D | 60-63% | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | Minimum Pass, Barely Passing |
| D- | 57-59% | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | Conditional Pass |
| F | 0-56% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Fail, Unsatisfactory |
Key Points About Korean Letter Grades:
- A Grades (A+, A, A-): Represent exceptional to very good performance. These grades are highly competitive and required for top employment and graduate school opportunities. Under relative grading, only 30-40% of students typically receive A grades.
- B Grades (B+, B, B-): Indicate good to above-average performance. B+ and B are respectable grades that qualify students for most opportunities, though they may be less competitive for elite positions.
- C Grades (C+, C, C-): Represent satisfactory to average performance. While passing, C grades may limit opportunities for scholarships, competitive internships, and top-tier graduate programs.
- D Grades (D+, D, D-): Are minimum passing grades. D- (57-59%) is often considered "conditional pass" and may not count toward major requirements in many programs.
- F Grade: Indicates failure requiring course retake. F grades significantly impact GPA and may appear on transcripts even after successful retakes.
- Grade Distribution: Under relative grading policies (상대평가), professors must distribute grades according to predetermined percentiles, making grade cutoffs dynamic based on class performance.
Grade Performance Tiers
Korean letter grades can be grouped into performance tiers that reflect student achievement levels and competitiveness:
- Top Tier (A+, A): 90-100% - Exceptional performers eligible for honors, top scholarships, and competitive graduate programs. These students rank in the top 30-40% under relative grading.
- High Tier (A-, B+): 83-89% - Strong performers with good prospects for graduate school and employment. Competitive for most opportunities though not always for the most elite positions.
- Middle Tier (B, B-): 77-82% - Above-average to solid performers. Acceptable for general employment and less competitive graduate programs.
- Lower-Middle Tier (C+, C, C-): 67-76% - Average to satisfactory performers. Meet minimum requirements but face challenges with competitive opportunities.
- Passing Tier (D+, D, D-): 57-66% - Minimum passing performance. May receive credit but typically need improvement to maintain good academic standing.
- Failing (F): Below 57% - Did not meet minimum standards and must retake the course.
Letter Grade Conversion Formulas
Percentage to Letter Grade Formula
The conversion from percentage scores to Korean letter grades follows a systematic conditional logic structure:
Letter Grade Assignment Formula:
If \( P \geq 95 \) → Grade = A+ (Excellent)
If \( 90 \leq P < 95 \) → Grade = A (Very Good)
If \( 86 \leq P < 90 \) → Grade = A- (Good Plus)
If \( 83 \leq P < 86 \) → Grade = B+ (Good)
If \( 80 \leq P < 83 \) → Grade = B (Above Average)
If \( 77 \leq P < 80 \) → Grade = B- (Average Plus)
If \( 74 \leq P < 77 \) → Grade = C+ (Satisfactory)
If \( 70 \leq P < 74 \) → Grade = C (Average)
If \( 67 \leq P < 70 \) → Grade = C- (Below Average Plus)
If \( 64 \leq P < 67 \) → Grade = D+ (Below Average)
If \( 60 \leq P < 64 \) → Grade = D (Minimum Pass)
If \( 57 \leq P < 60 \) → Grade = D- (Conditional Pass)
If \( P < 57 \) → Grade = F (Fail)
Where \( P \) = Percentage Score (0-100)
Letter Grade to GPA Conversion
Each letter grade corresponds to specific grade point values across different GPA scales:
GPA Conversion Formulas by Scale:
4.5 Scale (Most Common in Korea):
\( \text{GPA}_{4.5}(A+) = 4.5 \)
\( \text{GPA}_{4.5}(A) = 4.0 \)
\( \text{GPA}_{4.5}(B+) = 3.5 \)
\( \text{GPA}_{4.5}(B) = 3.0 \)
\( \text{GPA}_{4.5}(C) = 2.0 \)
\( \text{GPA}_{4.5}(D) = 1.0 \)
\( \text{GPA}_{4.5}(F) = 0.0 \)
Minimum Score Calculation
To determine the minimum percentage needed for a specific letter grade:
Minimum Score Formula:
\[ \text{Minimum Score} = \text{Lower Bound of Grade Range} \]
Examples:
For A+ grade: \( \text{Minimum} = 95\% \)
For B+ grade: \( \text{Minimum} = 83\% \)
For C grade: \( \text{Minimum} = 70\% \)
Strategic Score Planning:
\[ \text{Points Needed} = \text{Target Minimum} - \text{Current Score} \]
If your current score is 82% and you want B+, you need: \( 83 - 82 = 1\% \) more
Grade Boundary Calculation
Grade Range Formula:
\[ \text{Grade Range} = [\text{Lower Bound}, \text{Upper Bound}] \]
For Grade G with lower bound} L \text{ and upper bound } U:
\[ L \leq \text{Score} \leq U \]
Example for A- grade:
\[ 86 \leq \text{Score} \leq 89 \]
Any score within this range = A- grade (3.7 GPA)
Pass/Fail Determination Formula
Pass Status Formula:
If \( P \geq 60 \) → Status = PASS (D or above)
If \( 57 \leq P < 60 \) → Status = CONDITIONAL PASS (D-)
If \( P < 57 \) → Status = FAIL (F)
Note: Some departments require C (70%) or higher for major courses
Grade Point Average Calculation
To calculate cumulative GPA across multiple courses with different letter grades:
Cumulative GPA Formula:
\[ \text{GPA} = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{n} (\text{Grade Point}_i \times \text{Credits}_i)}{\sum_{i=1}^{n} \text{Credits}_i} \]
Where:
• \( n \) = Total number of courses
• Grade Point\(_i\) = GPA value for course \( i \)'s letter grade
• Credits\(_i\) = Credit hours for course \( i \)
Example Calculation:
Course 1: A+ (4.5) × 3 credits = 13.5 grade points
Course 2: B+ (3.5) × 4 credits = 14.0 grade points
Course 3: A (4.0) × 3 credits = 12.0 grade points
\[ \text{GPA} = \frac{13.5 + 14.0 + 12.0}{3 + 4 + 3} = \frac{39.5}{10} = 3.95 \]
Final GPA: 3.95 / 4.5 (Excellent standing)
How This Calculator Works
Calculation Methodology
This Korean Letter Grade Calculator implements a bidirectional conversion system that processes both percentage-to-grade and grade-to-percentage calculations using the official Korean university grading standards established by the Ministry of Education. The calculator employs two distinct algorithmic approaches depending on the selected conversion mode:
Percentage to Letter Grade Conversion Mode
- Input Validation: The system first validates that the entered percentage falls within the acceptable range of 0-100. Invalid inputs (negative numbers, values exceeding 100, or non-numeric entries) trigger error messages prompting users to enter valid data. The calculator accepts decimal precision (e.g., 87.5%) for accurate grade determination at boundary points.
- Range Identification Algorithm: Once validated, the calculator applies a cascading conditional structure that compares the input percentage against 13 predefined grade thresholds. Starting from the highest grade (A+ at 95%), the system sequentially checks if the percentage falls within each grade's range until a match is found. This ensures accurate grade assignment even for scores at exact boundary points (e.g., exactly 90% correctly assigns A, not A-).
- Letter Grade Assignment: Based on the identified range, the calculator assigns the appropriate letter grade with its modifier (plus, standard, or minus). For example, a score of 84% falls within the 83-85% range and receives a B+ designation.
- Multi-Scale GPA Calculation: Simultaneously with letter grade assignment, the calculator retrieves corresponding GPA values across all three Korean scales (4.5, 4.3, and 4.0). This uses a lookup table that maps each letter grade to its standardized grade point values, allowing students to see how their grade translates across different institutional scales.
- Descriptive Interpretation Generation: Each letter grade is associated with standardized descriptive text (e.g., "Excellent," "Good," "Above Average") based on official Korean educational terminology. These descriptions provide qualitative context beyond the numerical and letter representations.
- Pass/Fail Status Determination: The system evaluates whether the grade meets passing standards by checking if the percentage is at or above 60% (D grade threshold). Scores between 57-59% receive "Conditional Pass" status for D- grades, while scores below 57% are designated as "Fail."
Letter Grade to Percentage Range Mode
- Grade Selection Processing: When users select a target letter grade from the dropdown menu, the calculator retrieves the predefined percentage boundaries associated with that grade from its internal mapping table.
- Range Boundary Calculation: The system identifies both the minimum (lower bound) and maximum (upper bound) percentage values for the selected grade. For example, selecting B+ retrieves the range 83-85%, where 83% is the minimum needed and 85% is the maximum within that grade bracket.
- Strategic Planning Information: The calculator emphasizes the minimum score needed, as this represents the threshold students must achieve to secure that grade. This is particularly valuable for students planning their study strategies or calculating what they need on final exams to achieve target grades.
- Associated Data Display: Along with the percentage range, the calculator displays the corresponding GPA values across all scales and the descriptive interpretation, providing comprehensive information about what achieving that letter grade means academically.
Technical Implementation Details
The calculator uses client-side JavaScript processing, meaning all calculations occur instantly in the user's browser without requiring server communication. This ensures:
- Complete Privacy: No student data is transmitted, stored, or recorded
- Instant Results: Calculations process in milliseconds without network latency
- Offline Capability: Once loaded, the page functions without internet connection
- Accuracy: All conversion tables and formulas match official Korean Ministry of Education standards and are used by major universities including Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University
The calculator's design prioritizes both accuracy and usability, with clear visual feedback, color-coded grade displays, and comprehensive result presentations that include all relevant information students need for academic planning, scholarship applications, and career preparation.
Uses of Korean Letter Grade Calculator
The Korean Letter Grade Calculator serves diverse practical purposes for various users in the Korean educational ecosystem:
For Current University Students
- Real-Time Grade Prediction: Students can convert their raw percentage scores from quizzes, midterms, and assignments into letter grades, helping them understand their current standing in each course. This is especially valuable in Korean universities where professors often release only percentage scores until final grades are submitted.
- Final Exam Strategy Planning: By knowing what percentage translates to desired letter grades, students can calculate exactly how they need to perform on finals to achieve target grades. For example, if a student has 82% (B) and wants B+, they know they need to reach 83%—just 1 percentage point more.
- Scholarship Requirement Checking: Many Korean scholarships require specific letter grade minimums (e.g., B+ average or higher). Students can verify whether their current percentages meet these thresholds before application deadlines.
- Course Drop Decision Making: Understanding the letter grade implications of current percentage scores helps students decide whether to continue struggling courses or drop them before deadlines to protect their GPA.
- Academic Goal Setting: Students can set realistic targets by understanding what percentage ranges correspond to their desired letter grades, making abstract goals ("I want an A") concrete ("I need to score 90% or higher").
For International Students
- Korean Grading System Orientation: International students unfamiliar with Korean letter grades can use the calculator to understand how percentage-based performance translates to the letter system used on official transcripts.
- Home Country Grade Comparison: Students from countries using different grading systems can see how Korean letter grades (with their specific percentage ranges) compare to their familiar systems, facilitating self-assessment and performance evaluation.
- Study Abroad Credit Transfer Planning: Exchange students can estimate how their Korean letter grades will convert when transferred to their home institutions, helping them plan academic strategies during their time in Korea.
- Cultural Academic Adjustment: Understanding that Korean B+ (83-85%) might represent different levels of difficulty and competitiveness than B+ grades in other countries helps international students calibrate their expectations and study approaches.
For Prospective Students
- University Application Planning: High school students can understand what letter grades they need to maintain competitive profiles for university admissions, as many programs publish minimum grade requirements.
- Scholarship Eligibility Research: Prospective students researching scholarship opportunities can determine what percentage performance levels correspond to grade requirements stated in scholarship criteria (often "B+ average or higher").
- Academic Expectations Setting: Students preparing to enter Korean universities can familiarize themselves with the grading system, understanding that achieving top grades requires scoring in the 90%+ range.
For Graduate School Applicants
- Transcript Interpretation: Graduate school applicants can verify letter grades on their transcripts align with the percentage scores they remember earning, identifying any discrepancies that might need clarification.
- GPA Calculation Verification: Applicants can use letter grade to GPA conversions to manually verify the cumulative GPA calculations on their transcripts, ensuring accuracy before submitting applications.
- Competitive Assessment: Understanding that competitive graduate programs typically require A- (3.7) or higher helps applicants assess whether their letter grades make them competitive candidates.
- International Application Preparation: Korean students applying to foreign graduate programs can explain their letter grades to international admission committees by showing the corresponding percentage ranges and competitive context.
For Employers and HR Professionals
- Transcript Evaluation: HR professionals reviewing Korean transcripts can use the calculator to understand what letter grades mean in terms of actual performance levels (percentage ranges) and competitiveness.
- Applicant Screening: Companies with GPA cutoffs can verify that applicants' letter grades meet minimum requirements by checking corresponding GPA values across different scales.
- Fair Candidate Comparison: When comparing candidates from universities using different GPA scales (4.5 vs. 4.0), employers can use standardized letter grade interpretations to ensure equitable evaluation.
For Parents and Guardians
- Academic Progress Understanding: Parents can translate their children's percentage scores into letter grades to better understand academic performance in terms familiar from official transcripts and report cards.
- Educational Goal Setting: Families can set specific, measurable academic goals by identifying what percentage ranges correspond to target letter grades needed for scholarships or graduate school admission.
- Performance Contextualization: Parents can understand that a B+ grade (83-85%) represents good performance in Korea's competitive academic environment, helping them provide appropriate encouragement or support.
For Academic Advisors and Counselors
- Student Advising Support: Advisors can use the calculator during counseling sessions to show students exactly what percentage improvements translate to higher letter grades, making academic planning more concrete and motivating.
- Intervention Identification: Counselors can quickly identify students whose percentage scores place them near grade boundaries, providing targeted support to help them reach the next letter grade tier.
- Study Abroad Counseling: International education advisors can help students understand how their Korean letter grades will be interpreted abroad using the percentage context and GPA conversions.
How to Use This Calculator
This Korean Letter Grade Calculator offers two conversion modes to serve different needs. Follow these instructions for each mode:
Mode 1: Convert Percentage to Letter Grade
Use this mode when you have a percentage score and want to know which letter grade it corresponds to.
- Select the Percentage → Grade Tab: Ensure the "Percentage → Grade" tab at the top of the calculator is selected (it's the default mode). This tab should appear highlighted in blue.
- Enter Your Percentage Score: In the input field labeled "Enter Your Percentage Score (0-100)," type your numerical percentage. You can enter:
- Whole numbers (e.g., 88, 92, 76)
- Decimal values for precision (e.g., 87.5, 93.2, 84.75)
- Any value from 0 to 100
- Click "Calculate Letter Grade": Press the blue "Calculate Letter Grade" button. The calculator will instantly process your input.
- Review Your Results: The results panel displays:
- Letter Grade: Your Korean letter grade (A+, A, A-, B+, B, etc.) displayed prominently
- Percentage: Your entered score for reference
- Grade Range: The full percentage range for your letter grade (e.g., "83-85%" for B+)
- Description: Qualitative interpretation (Excellent, Good, Above Average, etc.)
- GPA Values: Your grade's equivalent on 4.5, 4.3, and 4.0 scales
- Pass Status: Whether the grade represents passing, conditional pass, or failing performance
- Calculate Additional Scores: To check another percentage, simply enter a new value and click "Calculate Letter Grade" again. To clear all fields, click the "Reset" button.
Mode 2: Find Percentage Range for Target Grade
Use this mode when you want to know what percentage you need to achieve a specific letter grade.
- Select the Grade → Percentage Tab: Click the "Grade → Percentage" tab at the top of the calculator. This tab will highlight in blue when selected.
- Select Your Target Letter Grade: From the dropdown menu labeled "Select Your Target Letter Grade," choose the letter grade you're aiming for. Options include all 13 Korean letter grades from A+ down to F.
- Click "Show Percentage Range": Press the blue "Show Percentage Range" button.
- Review Percentage Requirements: The results panel displays:
- Selected Grade: The letter grade you selected, displayed prominently
- Percentage Range: The complete range of percentages that earn this grade (e.g., "90-94%" for A grade)
- Minimum Score Needed: The threshold percentage you must reach to earn this grade (e.g., 90% for A)
- Maximum Score: The highest percentage still classified within this grade (e.g., 94% for A)
- Description: What this grade level represents qualitatively
- GPA Values: The grade's equivalent across all three scales
- Check Other Grades: Select different letter grades from the dropdown to compare percentage requirements. Click "Reset" to clear the selection and start over.
Best Practices and Tips
- Verify Your University's Scale: While this calculator uses the standard Korean system adopted by most universities, always confirm your specific institution's grading policy in case of any variations.
- Use Decimal Precision for Boundary Scores: If your percentage is very close to a grade boundary (e.g., 82.8%), enter the full decimal value to ensure accurate grade determination.
- Consider Relative Grading Context: Remember that in courses using relative grading (상대평가), your final percentage might be adjusted based on class performance before letter grade assignment. This calculator shows the standard conversion; your actual grade may depend on class ranking.
- Plan Strategically: Use Mode 2 (Grade → Percentage) to identify realistic grade targets. If you currently have 81% and want B+, you know you need 2 more percentage points (83% minimum for B+).
- Account for Rounding Policies: Some professors round percentages before assigning letter grades (e.g., 89.5% might round to 90% for A). Check your course syllabus for specific rounding rules.
- Use for Multiple Courses: Calculate letter grades for all your courses to get a complete picture of your academic standing and identify where improvements would have the most impact.
Example Calculation Walkthrough
Scenario: You're taking Korean Literature and currently have 87.5% after your midterm. You want to know your current letter grade and what you need for an A.
Step 1 - Find Current Grade:
- Select "Percentage → Grade" tab
- Enter "87.5" in the percentage field
- Click "Calculate Letter Grade"
- Result: A- grade (3.7 GPA), range 86-89%, "Good Plus" description
Step 2 - Find Target Grade Requirement:
- Switch to "Grade → Percentage" tab
- Select "A" from the dropdown
- Click "Show Percentage Range"
- Result: Need 90-94%, minimum score 90%
Analysis: You currently have an A- (87.5%) and need to reach 90% for a full A grade. That's 2.5 percentage points more. If the final exam is worth 50% of your grade, you'd need to calculate whether achieving 90% overall is realistic based on your remaining assessments. This strategic information helps you decide whether to aim for A or accept A- while focusing energy on other courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between A+ and A grades in Korea?
In the Korean grading system, A+ (95-100%) and A (90-94%) both represent excellent performance, but A+ is the highest possible grade indicating truly outstanding achievement. The 5-percentage-point difference is significant in Korea's competitive academic environment. A+ grades are often rare even among top students due to relative grading policies that may limit the number of students who can receive this grade. For GPA calculation, A+ = 4.5 (on 4.5 scale) while A = 4.0, making A+ grades particularly valuable for cumulative GPA. Employers and graduate schools view both as excellent, though A+ can distinguish truly exceptional candidates in highly competitive selection processes.
Is B+ a good grade in Korean universities?
Yes, B+ is considered a good grade in South Korean universities, representing solid performance in the 83-85% range. While not in the top tier (A grades), B+ indicates you've mastered course material well and performed above average. In the context of Korea's rigorous academic standards and widespread relative grading, earning B+ places you comfortably in the middle-to-upper performance range. B+ is generally sufficient for most employment opportunities, satisfactory academic standing, and many scholarship programs. However, for highly competitive graduate programs (especially at top universities like SKY) or elite corporate positions (chae bol companies), you may need higher grades (A- or better) to be most competitive.
Can I get an A grade with 89.5%?
It depends on your professor's rounding policy. Under the standard Korean grading scale, 89% falls in the A- range (86-89%), not A. However, many professors round percentages before assigning letter grades. If your professor rounds 89.5% to 90%, you would receive an A grade. Some professors use strict cutoffs without rounding, meaning 89.99% would still be A-. Check your course syllabus for specific grading policies. If the syllabus doesn't specify, it's appropriate to politely ask your professor about rounding policies. In relative grading courses, the cutoff might be dynamic based on class performance rather than fixed at 90%, so 89.5% could potentially receive A if it falls within the top percentage of students designated for A grades.
What percentage do I need to pass in Korea?
The minimum passing score in most Korean universities is 60% (D grade), which earns 1.0 grade points. Scores from 60-63% receive D grade and allow you to receive course credit. Some universities also recognize D- (57-59%) as a "conditional pass" worth 0.7 grade points, though this may not count toward major requirements. Anything below 57% results in an F (fail), requiring course retake. Important caveat: Many departments set higher passing thresholds for major courses, commonly requiring C grade (70%) or above. For example, a computer science major might need 70%+ in programming courses even though 60% is the general university minimum. Always check your program's specific requirements for major-required courses.
How do Korean letter grades compare to US grades?
While both systems use letters (A, B, C, D, F), the percentage ranges differ significantly. Korean A grades (90-100%) roughly correspond to US A grades, but Korean grading is generally considered more rigorous. Korean B+ (83-85%) might equate to US A-/B+ due to stricter grading standards and widespread relative grading. A key difference: Korean universities use a 4.5 GPA scale where A+ = 4.5, while most US institutions use 4.0 where A/A+ = 4.0. When converting for US applications, Korean 3.5/4.5 (B+ average) is often viewed as comparable to US 3.3-3.5/4.0. Professional credential evaluation services like WES account for these differences when converting Korean transcripts for US graduate programs, often adjusting GPAs upward to reflect Korea's more competitive grading environment.
What is relative grading (상대평가) in Korea?
Relative grading is a Korean university policy where grade distributions are predetermined by percentile rankings rather than absolute scores. Under this system, professors can only award A grades (A+, A, A-) to the top 30-40% of students, B grades to the next 30-40%, and so on, regardless of actual performance levels. This means even if everyone scores above 90%, only 30-40% can receive A grades, with others receiving lower grades despite strong absolute performance. Relative grading creates intense competition as students compete directly against classmates rather than just meeting standards. Not all courses use relative grading—small seminars, major courses, and graduate courses often use absolute grading where your grade depends solely on your percentage score. The grade boundaries in relative grading courses vary by semester based on class performance, so the calculator shows standard cutoffs, but actual cutoffs in relative grading courses may differ.
Do minus grades (A-, B-, C-) exist in all Korean universities?
Not all Korean universities use minus grades. Most major universities including SKY (Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei) do use the full 13-level system with plus and minus modifiers (A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, etc.). However, some institutions simplify to 9 or 10 levels without all minus grades, using only A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D, F. Some universities don't use A- and B-, creating larger grade brackets (A covers 90-94%, B covers 80-89%). A few institutions don't use plus grades either, using only A, B, C, D, F. Check your university's academic regulations to see which system applies. The presence or absence of minus grades significantly affects grade boundaries—without A-, the A grade range expands from 90-94% to potentially 85-94% or wider.
Can I calculate my GPA from letter grades?
Yes, you can calculate your cumulative GPA using letter grades and course credits. Use the formula: GPA = Σ(Grade Points × Credits) ÷ Σ(Credits). Convert each letter grade to its grade point value (A+ = 4.5, A = 4.0, B+ = 3.5, etc. on the 4.5 scale), multiply by that course's credit hours, sum all these products, then divide by total credits. Example: If you took Korean Literature (A+, 4.5, 3 credits), Math (B+, 3.5, 3 credits), and English (A, 4.0, 4 credits), your GPA = [(4.5×3) + (3.5×3) + (4.0×4)] ÷ (3+3+4) = 40 ÷ 10 = 4.0. While this calculator focuses on individual grade conversions, you can use the GPA values it provides for each letter grade to manually calculate your cumulative GPA across multiple courses.
What letter grade do I need for scholarships in Korea?
Scholarship GPA requirements vary by program, but general guidelines apply. The National Scholarship (국가장학금) typically requires minimum 1.75-2.0/4.5 (approximately B-/C+) to maintain eligibility. University merit scholarships often require 3.0-3.5+/4.5 (B to B+/A- average). Competitive scholarships like Presidential Science Scholarship or top private scholarships usually require 3.7+/4.5 (A- average or higher). For each semester, maintaining B+ (3.5) or higher keeps you eligible for most merit-based awards. Grade requirements often vary by year level—freshmen may have more lenient requirements (1.75) while upperclassmen need higher GPAs (2.0-2.5) to maintain funding. Always check specific scholarship program requirements as they update annually and may have additional criteria beyond just letter grades or GPA.
Official Sources and References
This calculator and guide are based on official South Korean educational standards and authoritative institutional sources:
- Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea - Official Korean government ministry establishing national grading standards and educational policies
- Korea Academic Recognition Information Center (KARI-C) - Official authority for academic credential evaluation and grading system documentation
- Scholaro: South Korea Grading System - Professional credential evaluation service with comprehensive Korean grade conversion tables
- Yonsei University Academic Information - Representative Korean university grading policies from one of Korea's top institutions
- Wikipedia: Academic Grading in South Korea - Comprehensive overview with cited sources on Korean grading at all education levels
Disclaimer: While this calculator uses standardized Korean letter grading scales recognized by the Ministry of Education and adopted by most universities, individual institutions may have specific variations in grade boundaries, use of plus/minus modifiers, relative grading implementations, or passing requirements. Always consult your university's official academic regulations, student handbook, or registrar's office for precise grading criteria applicable to your specific situation. This calculator is designed for estimation and planning purposes to help students understand the Korean letter grading system.