Grading Scale - The University Of The West Indies

Under the 2014/2015 Grading Policy, a new passing mark of 50% has been implemented and replaces the previous passing mark of 40%. Students will now be required to earn a minimum mark of 50% to pass a course. While the 2014/2015 Grading Policy introduces a new passing mark, this will not impact the inherent standards for determination of a student’s passing or failure of a course. A student’s course evaluation is based primarily on the skills, competencies and knowledge demonstrated by the student, not on raw scores. It continues to remain each course lecturer’s responsibility to set examinations that fairly evaluate each student’s abilities, and to ensure that the student’s work is fairly assessed. Consequently, a student who demonstrates the minimum skills, competencies and knowledge required in any course will still pass, just as they would have previously done.

As part of the 2014/2015 Grading Policy, the University has also introduced generic Grade Descriptors which define the general level of skills, competencies and knowledge associated with each grade band. These will guide lecturers in setting and marking examinations, and will make the grading process more objective and transparent. Lecturers are also being encouraged to provide their own, more detailed descriptors for the benefit of their students, setting out the specific skills and knowledge required in their courses. With greater insight into the associated requirements underlying the grades and percentage scores that are awarded by lecturers, students will be better able to understand and monitor their own levels of achievement and determine where efforts to improve should be focused, when needed.

Students should also note that no changes will be made to existing marks and grades received under previous GPA regulations. These will remain the same as originally awarded and will be maintained as a part of each student’s historical record. They will therefore be reflected accordingly on transcripts.