Are grades overrated?
It is clear that grades are overrated in life. Yes, while they do impact your life and future to some degree, they are not all that defines a person. But earning good grades does not mean you're focused on learning. They do not measure how hard a student works in school, their work ethic or effort level.
A letter grade of a D is technically considered passing because it not a failure. A D is any percentage between 60-69%, whereas a failure occurs below 60%.
Grades matter for college
Even for intended students, grades don't determine your worth, but they do matter. Grades help measure your progress toward your full potential. That motivation can set students on the path to grading success, even if their postsecondary goals don't involve academics.
C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle. C is anywhere between 70% and 79% D - this is still a passing grade, and it's between 59% and 69% F - this is a failing grade.
Grades force students to memorize those details necessary to pass a test, often disregarding true comprehension of the subject matter. In this process, the student's personal development is becoming a footnote, overshadowed by the imperative significance of grades.
Research shows that many gifted students actually do better with older peers. A meta-analysis on grade-skipping by Karen Rogers, a professor of gifted education, reported grade-skipping had positive effects on social skills and maturity.
For example, an A/A- is numerically (95+91.25)/2=93.125, which is an A slightly lower than 95/A. A frequent complaint is that you "lose 5 points" for a 95=A. But I treat 100 as more like an A++. So the few students who achieved a perfect score in all 7 quizzes deserve 100.
Education system – People's Republic of China
In general, most Chinese transcripts use a grading system with either marks or grades (letters or words) on a scale of 0-100, where the pass mark/grade is usually 60 or C/D or Pass.
Score | Notice of Academic Record (MyWaseda) | Pass or Fail |
---|---|---|
80-89 | A | pass |
70-79 | B | |
60-69 | C | |
45-59 | F | fail |
Those numbers on your transcripts aren't labels on your forehead. You are so much more. However, good grades are important because they give people an idea of your academic strengths, interests, and ability to learn new things.
Why you shouldn't skip a grade?
Students may find it challenging to maintain their excellent academic performance. The student may fall behind in a higher grade despite excelling in their previous class. This transition might discourage students, causing them to lose interest in learning and stop putting in the effort.
Your grades can help you plan for your future. In fact, you can use your GPA a lot like your GPS to determine where you are and where you are going. The more you know about your strengths and opportunities for improvement, the better you'll know where you need to apply yourself more.

That is, grades serve as a motivating force because students desire favorable evaluations and are willing to work hard and try their best to gain approval.
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