Grading System

Istanbul is a very rich city; it is rich in history, rich in culture, and last but not least, rich in universities. There are 57 universities in addition to the vocational schools in the city which is the home of +15 million people. All universities in Turkey are under the direct control of the Council of Higher Education in Turkey regardless of the fact that whether they are public or private universities. Even though their tails are tied to the Council of Higher Education in Turkey, the universities have pseudo autonomy in their academic approaches. That is why some universities are different than others in minor subjects like grading.

published: 14 July 2022 / updated: 7 March 2024

In Turkey, the grading system generally consists of a grading scale between 0 and 100. The highest score in an exam is 100, and it is the numerical equivalent of the letter grade “A.” The difference between the universities takes place in their grading system through letters. While some universities use “A,” others use grades like “AA” or “BA” for detailed grading. Any mark below 50 in exams counts as failure (F) in higher education. However, some universities employ a method of “conditional pass.” In this method, if the GPA of the student is sufficient for graduation, the student does not need to take the course again. But if the GPA is not sufficient, the student is expected to retake the failed course.

The conditional pass method can be seen in Istanbul Technical University, for example, in which notes between 40-45 and 45-50 result in “DD” and “DC” successively, meaning a conditional pass. The GPA is calculated by dividing the outcome of the grades and credits on a scale of 0-100 into 25. The most successful students in universities are generally those who achieve a GPA of over 3,4 (85/100), which is quite possible through hard work thanks to the competent education provided by the universities.

Highlights

Detailed grading system.
Interinstitutional relations.
Student-friendly grading systems that enable graduation without retaking failed courses.
International equivalents of grades.
Helpful ambition through minute grading.

The universities of Istanbul appear to be unique at first glance. However, they have at least two features in common: their successes and the fact that they operate under a governmental body called the Council of Higher Education in Turkey. The universities are directly supervised by this governmental body, and their grading systems have their shares in the hierarchy. Because the Council of Higher Education in Turkey’s control, the universities have pseudo-autonomy, that is why there are some changes in their grading systems but their outcome is treated the same.

While one university uses a two-letter grading system like “AA,” for example, another may use “A+” or similar symbols. Though the symbol changes, the ultimate grading is conducted through the points the student takes in an exam between 0 and 100. In most universities, any number below 50 means fail directly, but some universities use a method of “conditional pass” for students to have an easier education period for them to focus on their other courses better

Frequently Asked Question

What is the general grading system of universities in Istanbul?

The main grading system is a numeral scale between 0 and 100 with 100 as the highest point and below 50 as a fail.

Do universities in Istanbul use letters as a part of the grading system?

Yes, all universities in Istanbul use letters as a part of the grading system. However, the university has its own set of rules for the minute detailing of the grading system.

How is the GPA of the student calculated in the numeral grading system?

The GPA is calculated by dividing the outcome of the grades and credits on a scale of 0-100 into 25.