Comparing grading systems is like comparing apples, pears, bananas and shoelaces

How should grades be converted from one system to the other? And do students suffer or benefit from the conversion?

Freddy Jacobsen, former MSc-student:

The TU should be aware of the grading difference. I graduated with a 7. In Holland, that’s okay, nothing to be ashamed of. But in Norway, it’s pretty bad, and this low grade could be a problem if I look for a job in Norway. If you’re depending on your grades to get a job, it’s not wise to study at the TU: that’s what I’ll tell people who are considering TU Delft. In Holland, grades don’t matter so much, but in America and Norway they do.

Dr. Annemarie Rima, director of the International Office:

I’ve never heard of this problem. I don’t think it’s so easy to get an A in other countries. I did my MBA in England and they hardly ever gave an A. Of course there are differences between universities, but I can’t imagine you get an A easily at MIT.

Deborah Hauptman, asst. professor of architectural theory:

The TU does have a lower grading standard. 10’s are hardly ever given. The real range then is between 5.5 and 9, with 7 being respectable, above average. In America, a 7 is the minimum score for passing a core course, so, indeed, when an American sees a Dutch 7, they might think it’s the lowest grade possible.

Jacobsen:

A few of my fellow MSc-students had the same problems; they wanted to do their PhD in America, but because of their ‘low’ grades, they didn’t get scholarships.

G.K. Berghuijs, senior admissions officer at the Student Advisory Office: Comparing grading systems is like comparing apples, pears, bananas and shoelaces. If students encounter problems, we can help. We’ve got a document describing the Dutch educating system, including grades. They can send this document, with their CV’s, to future employers, so there shouldn’t be a problem. We’ve also got American and English books that compare different grading systems. Grades don’t mean so much. In Eastern Europe, high grades are given. If someone has an 8 it looks good, whereas the rest will have 10s. In Morroco, they grade from 0 to 20, but 12 is really good, better than a Dutch 7. Every year a few students come to me with questions about grading differences.

Prof. Brian Scarlett:

The Dutch grading system is realistic. There are differences between the Holland and the US, but must the Dutch system change?We have good, very good, and excellent students here. Our intention is to identify the few exceptions. Only 5% of Dutch students have an 8.2% average, so a ‘7’ is respectable. The US uses statistics in a competitive way. The Dutch grade rigorously. In terms of creating an international standard, the TU enjoys a fine international reputation and can afford to make haste slowly. Attending the TU, like MIT, is a mark of quality, regardless of the final numerical grade.

Jacobsen:

In the end, my grade didn’t harm me. I got a job at IBM before they saw my grades. If you stay in Holland, grading won’t be a problem. When I return to Norway, I’ll have enough experience to make up for my 7. Most MSc-students here have a TU scholarship. They didn’t have a choice in university. But, if students don’t have a TU scholarship and can freely choose, Delft should know that grading scales could matter and this might affect a student’s choice.

In Holland, grades range from 1 to 10. In America, letters are used: an A is excellent and an ‘F’ means failure. Europe uses various grading systems. How should grades be converted from one system to the other? And do students suffer or benefit from the conversion?

Freddy Jacobsen, former MSc-student:

The TU should be aware of the grading difference. I graduated with a 7. In Holland, that’s okay, nothing to be ashamed of. But in Norway, it’s pretty bad, and this low grade could be a problem if I look for a job in Norway. If you’re depending on your grades to get a job, it’s not wise to study at the TU: that’s what I’ll tell people who are considering TU Delft. In Holland, grades don’t matter so much, but in America and Norway they do.

Dr. Annemarie Rima, director of the International Office:

I’ve never heard of this problem. I don’t think it’s so easy to get an A in other countries. I did my MBA in England and they hardly ever gave an A. Of course there are differences between universities, but I can’t imagine you get an A easily at MIT.

Deborah Hauptman, asst. professor of architectural theory:

The TU does have a lower grading standard. 10’s are hardly ever given. The real range then is between 5.5 and 9, with 7 being respectable, above average. In America, a 7 is the minimum score for passing a core course, so, indeed, when an American sees a Dutch 7, they might think it’s the lowest grade possible.

Jacobsen:

A few of my fellow MSc-students had the same problems; they wanted to do their PhD in America, but because of their ‘low’ grades, they didn’t get scholarships.

G.K. Berghuijs, senior admissions officer at the Student Advisory Office: Comparing grading systems is like comparing apples, pears, bananas and shoelaces. If students encounter problems, we can help. We’ve got a document describing the Dutch educating system, including grades. They can send this document, with their CV’s, to future employers, so there shouldn’t be a problem. We’ve also got American and English books that compare different grading systems. Grades don’t mean so much. In Eastern Europe, high grades are given. If someone has an 8 it looks good, whereas the rest will have 10s. In Morroco, they grade from 0 to 20, but 12 is really good, better than a Dutch 7. Every year a few students come to me with questions about grading differences.

Prof. Brian Scarlett:

The Dutch grading system is realistic. There are differences between the Holland and the US, but must the Dutch system change?We have good, very good, and excellent students here. Our intention is to identify the few exceptions. Only 5% of Dutch students have an 8.2% average, so a ‘7’ is respectable. The US uses statistics in a competitive way. The Dutch grade rigorously. In terms of creating an international standard, the TU enjoys a fine international reputation and can afford to make haste slowly. Attending the TU, like MIT, is a mark of quality, regardless of the final numerical grade.

Jacobsen:

In the end, my grade didn’t harm me. I got a job at IBM before they saw my grades. If you stay in Holland, grading won’t be a problem. When I return to Norway, I’ll have enough experience to make up for my 7. Most MSc-students here have a TU scholarship. They didn’t have a choice in university. But, if students don’t have a TU scholarship and can freely choose, Delft should know that grading scales could matter and this might affect a student’s choice.