GPA conversion

Spanish Ministry of Education has implemented a Grade Point Average calculator, application
intended to help students convert their foreign grades into the equivalent Spanish GPA, a
mandatory requirement to participate in a competitive process (admission to graduate studies,
Masters or PhD, scholarships and grants access).1

INTERNATIONAL GRADE CONVERSION GUIDE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Introduction

Nowadays, and even more in the future, the academic records of students who complete their
University studies are more diverse and heterogeneous, away from the uniformity
characteristic of previous years. This reality has been heightened with the increasing mobility
of students between universities in different countries under agreements and exchange
programs. This aspect is particularly relevant in Europe, with the creation in 1999 of the
European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The EHEA is a broad framework that promotes
convergence between national education systems and is characterized, among other things, by
the design of compatible and comparable degrees, by the use of a single measurement system
(European Credit Transfer System, ECTS) and by the mobility of both university students and
teachers. However, although the new degrees developed under this EHEA are compatible and
comparable in terms of credits and subjects, the rating systems of the countries committed to
the Bologna Declaration are distinct, reaching even to the situation in a country that they differ
from one institution to another.

One of the main consequences of the internationalization process of the education is the
mobility of students between education centers of different countries. A key point in the
success of mobility programs is that the work done by a student at any university could be
easily valued equally across all countries.

However, the grade systems established in each country are different. In fact, grade systems
may differ from one institution to another even in the same country. In these cases it is
essential to obtain equivalences between the different grade systems in order to avoid
mismatches in the grades of students involved in mobility programs that could lead to a
serious impact in their final average score. This is crucial in any competitive process in which
one has to compare average scores across all candidates.

This application is meant to obtain equivalences between grades achieved by students in

different evaluation systems. This method is based on the percentile distribution of grades in
the different systems considered. The application calculates equivalences using as reference

1
GPA is a measure of student achievement used both during and on completion of a Programme of
study. Typically with GPA, student work is graded A to D, or F (a fail), and then converted to a grade
point (where A = 4.00 and D = 1.00). In North America, a GPA is then calculated by averaging the grade
points for every course from all years of study (i.e. a straight average). A GPA system gives students
access on a continuous basis to a cumulative average as well as their receiving an end of programme
GPA score.
the grade system established by the Spanish Ministry of Education (Law 1125/2003) which
provides a numerical scale from 0.0 to 10.

In these situation, it is essential to make an equivalence of different rating systems, with the
objective that no disturbances occur in the scores of students participating in mobility
programs and, therefore, in the final average mark of their academic records. The calculation
of this average is especially relevant in any competitive process in which the average is either
the main selection criterion or one of them according to the scale established in each case
(admission to graduate studies, Masters or PhD; scholarships and grants access).

As a consequence, the fair and proper interpretation of the various grading systems is an
important issue for both students returning after a period of study abroad and for university
staff who must assess records of these students. Nowadays, there is a large and varied set of
formulas to calculate equivalences between different rating systems, but they often forget the
complexity characteristic of these processes. As mentioned in G. Haug [1], My main
conclusion is that foreign grades are not just numbers that can be calculated by applying a
mathematical formula, but a message that needs first to be understood in the original system
and in a second stage interpreted by users in their own system. Simple mathematical formulas
with their claim to universality are nothing but a fallacious oversimplification of a reality they
fail to capture.

Grade Point Average Calculator, grade conversions for higher education and grade
conversion tables.

Calculates equivalences between different rating systems, is a tool available for students who
need to make an equivalence of different rating systems for their grades, in order to continue
their studies at Spanish universities. The calculation of this average is especially relevant in any
competitive process in which the average is either the main selection criterion or one of them
(admission to graduate studies, Masters or PhD; scholarships and grants access).

The service for the Grade Point Average Calculator procedure url :

http://www.mecd.gob.es/mecd/servicios-al-ciudadano-mecd/catalogo/general/educacion/203615/ficha.html

One of the main consequences of the internationalization process of the education is the
mobility of students between education centers of different countries. A key point in the
success of mobility programs is that the work done by a student at any university could be
easily valued equally across all countries.

However, the grade systems established in each country are different. In fact, grade systems
may differ from one institution to another even in the same country. In these cases it is
essential to obtain equivalences between the different grade systems in order to avoid
mismatches in the grades of students involved in mobility programs that could lead to a
serious impact in their final average score. This is crucial in any competitive process in which
one has to compare average scores across all candidates.
DOCUMENTATION:

Requirements for studies outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA):

a) Document proving identity and nationality of the applicant.

b) Certificate of grades and subjects.
c) Official translation into Spanish if required.
d) Certificate legalized through diplomatic channels or through the Apostille of the Hague
Convention.
e) The title, if applicable.

Requirements for studies in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA):

a) Document proving identity and nationality of the applicant (ID, Passport).

b) Certificate of grades and subjects.
c) Official translation into Spanish.
d) European Diploma Supplement.

The official language, for all administrative procedures, handled by the General Administration
of the State, is Spanish, in accordance with the Law 30/1992, of November 26, Legal Regime of
Public Administrations and Common Administrative Procedure, in the wording given by the
law 39/2015, on 1 October. The documents presented in another language must be
accompanied by the official translation.

Official Translators Services

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Documents/3%20de%20octubre%20de%202016.pdf

The procedure is implemented in the following steps:

1) The Grade Point Average Calculator form must be filled in with the academic record
information. The applicant must select the rating scale which corresponds with the one used in
the studies. Then you must add the grades obtained in the original scale. The form
automatically calculates the final average grade of academic record.

2) Once completed this process, you can print the Grade Point Average Calculator form to
submit it to the entity which has required it (admission to studies, announcements, contests,
etc.

3) The Grade Point Average Calculator form must be reviewed by university staff that must
assess records of these students involved in mobility programs or competitive processes. They
must verify the data entered in the Declaration to asses its validation. It shall have effect only if
the official academic certificate, either original or certified copy, accompanies it and, if needed,
the corresponding official translation.
Legal references:

Resolucin de 21 de marzo de 2016

Anexo I. Escalas de calificacin de pases extranjeros
Anexo II. Tablas de equivalencias por pases

Resolucin de 21 de julio de 2016

Anexo I. Relacin complementaria de escalas
Anexo II. Tablas de equivalencias por paises

Anexo III. Instrucciones para declaracin de equivalencias de nota media

para estudios en centros extranjeros

Grade Point Average Calculator Grade conversion scales

The grading scales applied are published in the Annexes I and II

Numerical scales:

First number = minimum passing grade followed by (1st);

Second number = is the maximum rating, followed by the number of possible qualifications.
Taking into account if you use integer, one decimal, two decimal places, etc.

Numerical scale examples:

- 5 (1st) - 10 (6th) for a scale with passing grade of 5 and maximum of 10, no decimals;
- 5.0 (1st) - 10, 0 (51st) for a scale with passing grade of 5 and maximum of 10, with one
decimal place;
- 5.00 (1st) - 10, 00 (501) for a scale with passing grade of 5 and maximum of 10, to two
decimal places;

grading scale Italy 18(1)-30L(14)

In the case of Italy, the minimum grade required to pass is 18, and the maximum rating is 30L
( L indicates Honor Laureate). This is a scale that includes 14 possible values.

grading scale Colombia 3,0(1)-5,0(21)

In the case of Colombia, the grading scale is also numerical, this is a scale that includes 21
possible values, from 3.00 (lowest score with a pass) to 5.00 (highest rating).

Alphabetical scales:

In the case of alphabetic characters, rating systems will apply the same criteria

First letter designates the minimum passing score, followed by the numeric value.
Second letter indicates the maximum score, followed by the numeric value of the maximum
mark.