Harvard Chan School Grading System

The Harvard Chan School offers ordinal (letter), pass-fail, and audit grading options for degree candidates.

Harvard Chan School does not have a policy on the equivalence between grad percentages and letter grades. For example, the distinction between an A and an A- is determined for each class by the instructor.

Grading Option
Grade Definition
Grade Point Average
Ordinal A-C, F Grading Scale Calculated in Final G.P.A.
Pass/Fail P=Pass

F=Fail

Not Calculated in G.P.A.

Calculated in G.P.A.

Audit Not Graded Not Calculated in G.P.A.

The table below reflects the grades used and their corresponding grade point values.

A = 4.00 (Excellent) F = 0.00 (Failing/ordinal)
A- = 3.70 WD* = Withdrawn
B+ = 3.30 (Good) P* = Passing
B

B-

=

=

3.00

2.70 (Satisfactory)

F

INC*

=

=

Failing (Pass/Fail)

Incomplete (pending completion of work)

C+ = 2.30 INP* = Permanent Incomplete
C = 2.00 (Poor) ABS* = Absent from Exam
C- = 1.70 IP* = In Progress
AU* = Audit WDA* = Withdrawn Auditor

UA* Unassigned
*Does not calculate into GPA

To calculate the term grade point average:
For each course, multiply the number of credits by the numerical value of the ordinal grade received. (Number of credits) x (Numerical value of the ordinal grade) = grade points

 Example: 2.5 credits x 3.30 for a B+ = 8.25 grade points
5.0 credits x 2.70 for a B- = 13.50 grade points
2.5 credits x 3.00 for a B   = 7.50 grade points
2.5 credits x 3.30 for a B+ = 8.25 grade points
2.5 credits x 3.30 for a B+ = 8.25 grade points

Then, calculate the term grade point average by dividing the sum of grade points by the sum of the credits.

2.5 credits 8.25
5.0 credits 13.50
2.5 credits 7.50
2.5 credits 8.25
 

Totals

+2.5 credits

15.0 credits

 + 8.25

45.75 grade points

45.75 grade points ÷ 15.0 credits = 3.05 term cumulative average

Grades of Pass, Incomplete, Absent from Exam, In Progress, or Not Satisfactory are not calculated into the grade point average. Certain grades received from Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School (I, II, III and Excellent), and Harvard Medical School (Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory) are not calculated into the grade point average, although they will appear on the transcript and will count toward degree credits. Harvard Business School grades count as ordinal credit.