If you have ever looked at a WAEC or NECO result, you have seen grades like A1, B2 and C4. Many Nigerian secondary schools copy this scale in their own report cards so pupils get used to it before the external exams. Some primary schools prefer plain letters, and others use percentages.
This post explains the A1 to F9 scale, what each grade means, and how to decide which scale your school should use.
The A1 to F9 scale
The nine-point scale used for the senior secondary school certificate examinations is shown below. Check the current scale published by the examination body before you copy it, because bodies can adjust their scales.
| Grade | Score range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 75 to 100 | Excellent |
| B2 | 70 to 74 | Very good |
| B3 | 65 to 69 | Good |
| C4 | 60 to 64 | Credit |
| C5 | 55 to 59 | Credit |
| C6 | 50 to 54 | Credit |
| D7 | 45 to 49 | Pass |
| E8 | 40 to 44 | Pass |
| F9 | 0 to 39 | Fail |
A few things to notice:
- A "credit" is C6 or better. Many universities and employers ask for credits in English and Mathematics, so these three grades matter a great deal to parents.
- D7 and E8 are passes, not credits. A pupil can pass a subject without having a credit in it.
- F9 is a fail. Nothing below 40 earns a pass.
Why schools use it
- Familiarity. Pupils and parents understand it because it matches the external exams.
- Detail. Nine levels show small differences better than five letters do.
- Preparation. Pupils see where they would stand if the exam were held today.
Why some schools do not
- Too fine for younger pupils. A seven-year-old does not need to know the difference between a C5 and a C6.
- It can discourage. A string of D7 and E8 grades can feel harsh in a lower class.
- Different needs. A nursery school may only want comments such as "Excellent" or "Needs support".
Choosing a scale for your school
Ask these questions:
- Who reads the report card? Parents mostly want to know whether their child is doing well, which a simple scale does clearly.
- Will the pupils sit external exams? If yes, use A1 to F9 in the senior classes, at least.
- Does your school have different levels? Many schools use A1 to F9 in the secondary school, A to F in the primary school and comments in the nursery. This is perfectly normal.
- Will you explain it? Print the scale on the back of the report card. It prevents many questions.
Set the boundaries once, and keep them fixed
Whatever scale you choose, do not change the boundaries halfway through a term to make results look better or worse. Write the scale down, give it to teachers, and apply it the same way for every class. If you must change it, change it at the start of a session and tell parents.
Remember the average, not just the grade
A single subject grade tells part of the story. The overall average and the position in class tell the rest. Make sure your report card shows both, and that you explain how positions are worked out, especially when two pupils have the same average.
How StudyPat handles it
StudyPat has the A1 to F9 scale ready as a one-click preset, so you do not have to type nine rows. If your school uses a different scale, you can set your own grades, ranges and comments, and use a different scale for each class. The grade appears automatically on each report card from the scores, so teachers never have to look it up.
If you are setting up your school now, the grading step takes about a minute.