Grades, GPA and percentages – Page 2

Show your grade with a short note on the scale, because many readers outside the Philippines assume a higher number is better. Many Philippine universities use a system where 1.0 is the highest grade and higher numbers are lower grades.

Example: "BS Accountancy, University X, Manila | 2025 | GWA 1.45 (1.0 = highest)"

If you graduated with Latin honours, such as cum laude, include that, as it is widely understood. For local employers, the note is not needed, but it helps for applications in the Gulf and elsewhere.

Write the grade as shown on your certificate and note that 1.0 is the best grade. In the German system, grades usually run from 1.0 (very good) to 4.0 (sufficient), with lower numbers meaning better results.

Example: "BSc Mechanical Engineering, University X, Germany | 2025 | Final grade 1.7 (German scale, 1.0 = best)"

For German employers, the note is not necessary. For employers elsewhere, it prevents confusion with GPA-style scales where higher numbers are better. Do not convert it to another system yourself unless asked.

Write the grade with "/20" and, if you have one, the honour (mention) awarded. French universities and schools commonly grade out of 20.

Example: "Licence en Économie, University X, France | 2025 | 14.2/20 (mention Bien)"

For international employers, keep the "/20" so the scale is obvious, and you can translate the mention, for example "Bien (good)". Do not convert the figure into a GPA or another scale on your own.

Write whichever measure your university uses, with its scale. Many Australian universities report a GPA out of 7 and some also report a WAM (weighted average mark) out of 100.

Examples:

• "Bachelor of Commerce, University X | 2025 | GPA 5.8/7"
• "Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) | 2025 | WAM 76"

If your degree was awarded with honours, such as "Honours Class I", include it. Show the scale clearly when applying outside Australia, because a GPA of 5.8 could be misread.

Write your GPA with the exact scale your university uses. In Canada, scales vary between universities, with some using 4.0, 4.3, 9 or 12 points, or percentages.

Examples:

• "BSc Kinesiology, University X | 2025 | GPA 3.8/4.3"
• "BA Psychology, University Y | 2025 | GPA 8.1/9"

Because scales differ, never write a GPA without its scale. If an employer asks you to convert, ask whether your university provides an official conversion.

Use the one shown on your transcript, and say which it is if both appear. Weighted GPAs give extra points for harder courses, such as AP or honours classes, and can be higher than 4.0; unweighted GPAs usually use a 4.0 scale.

Examples:

• "GPA: 3.8/4.0 (unweighted)"
• "GPA: 4.3 (weighted)"

If an application asks for one specifically, give that one. Once you are at university, replace your high school GPA with your university GPA.

Usually only while you are in high school or in your first year of university, and only if the score is strong or an employer asks for it. Most employers focus on university results and experience.

Some employers in fields such as finance and consulting, mainly in the USA, have been known to ask for test scores on application forms. If a form asks, answer it honestly.

Example: "SAT: 1450 (2024)".

Once you have a university GPA and some experience, remove test scores from your resume.

Include it if it is strong and the employer is likely to recognise the exam, such as for campus placements or roles in India. A strong rank in a competitive entrance exam can signal academic ability.

Examples:

• "JEE Advanced 2021: All India Rank 2,350"
• "CAT 2024: 98.7 percentile"

Include the year and the exact figure from your scorecard. Leave it out when applying outside India, where the exam may not be known, unless you add a short explanation. Remove it once you have more recent achievements.

Only if the score is strong and relevant, such as for finance, consulting or analytics roles that value test results, or if an employer asks. For most jobs, it is not expected.

Example: "GMAT: 710 (2025)".

If you took the test for a master's application and are now applying for jobs, consider whether it adds anything beyond your degree results. If you include it, put it near your education section or in an "Additional information" line.

There is no universal figure. What counts as good depends on your university's scale, how strictly it grades, your field, and what the employer expects.

Practical ways to judge:

• Check the advert for a stated minimum. If you meet it, include your grade.
• Compare with your university's honours bands or Dean's List requirements.
• Ask your careers service what employers in your field usually look for.

If you are unsure whether your grade helps you, ask yourself whether it makes your application stronger than leaving it out. If an employer asks, give it regardless.

Put it in your education section, on the same line as your degree or on the line below. Do not put it in your header or profile, unless an employer specifically asks.

Examples:

• "BSc Finance | University X | 2025 | GPA 3.7/4.0"
• "BSc Finance, University X, Dubai | 2021 – 2025

GPA 3.7/4.0 | Dean's List (5 semesters)"

Keep the format consistent if you list more than one qualification.

Yes, if it is strong and the dissertation relates to the job. A strong dissertation grade can be more relevant than your overall result, because it shows independent research and writing.

Example: "Dissertation: Pricing strategies in UAE budget airlines (Grade: Distinction)" or "(Mark: 74/100)".

If your overall grade is weaker, a strong dissertation grade can help balance it. Use the exact grade shown on your transcript.

Only for a few strong grades in modules relevant to the job. Listing every module grade takes space and invites attention to weaker results.

Example: "Relevant modules: Financial Accounting (A), Corporate Finance (A-), Taxation (B+)"

This works well when your overall grade is average but your relevant modules are strong. If you do this, make sure the grades match your transcript exactly.

Usually no, unless the course is relevant to the job. A pass/fail course does not show a grade, so it adds little to your grade information.

If the course is relevant, list it among your modules without a grade, for example "Introduction to Python (pass/fail)" or simply "Introduction to Python". You do not need to explain why it was pass/fail.

Keep it short and forward-looking, and only mention it if it is likely to be noticed or asked about. One or two sentences are enough.

Example: "My overall grade was affected by a difficult second year, but my final-year modules in data analysis, where I earned distinctions, show the skills I would bring to this role."

Avoid long explanations, excuses or blaming others. Focus on what you learned and what you have achieved since. You do not need to share private details.

You can, but you do not have to, and your resume is not the place for it. If you choose to explain, a brief line in a cover letter or a conversation with the employer is better.

Things to know:

• Some graduate employers have a process for applicants to share extenuating circumstances; look on their website.
• You do not need to give private medical or family details.
• If your university formally recognised extenuating circumstances, you can mention that.

Example: "My second-year results were affected by a serious family illness; my final-year average reflects my usual standard."

If you have an overall result, such as a final classification, average or GPA on your transcript, use that. If you only have letter grades by course, show a few strong relevant ones rather than inventing an overall figure.

Examples:

• "Relevant modules: Marketing Strategy (A), Consumer Behaviour (A)"
• "Final result: Distinction"

Do not calculate your own GPA unless your university gives a clear official method. If an employer needs an overall figure, ask your university for an official statement.

An applicant tracking system can only screen by GPA if the employer sets it up to do so, often through questions on the application form, such as "Do you have a GPA of at least X?". Systems and employer settings differ.

What you can do:

• Answer screening questions honestly.
• Read the requirements before applying.
• Where a minimum is preferred rather than required, make the rest of your application strong.

Your resume layout itself does not cause GPA filtering; the employer's settings and your answers do.

Only if the employer asks for it. Most employers ask for transcripts later in the process, if at all.

If a transcript is requested:

• Send the official version, or a clear scan of it, in PDF format.
• Make sure it matches the grades on your resume.
• Name the file clearly, such as "Ali-Hassan-Transcript.pdf".

Some campus placement processes and graduate schemes request transcripts at the application stage, so read instructions carefully.

Show it if it is strong or the employer asks for it; otherwise your master's result is usually enough. Employers mostly look at your highest and most recent qualification.

Examples:

• "MSc Data Analytics | Distinction | 2025"
• "BSc Mathematics | 2:1 | 2024"

If your bachelor's result is weaker than your master's, you can leave the bachelor's grade out. If an application form asks for both, give both honestly.

Write the class as it appears on your certificate, after your degree. Nigerian universities commonly award First Class, Second Class Upper Division, Second Class Lower Division, Third Class and Pass.

Examples:

• "BSc Accounting, University X, Lagos | 2025 | Second Class Upper Division"
• "BEng Electrical Engineering | First Class Honours"

You can add your CGPA with its scale if it helps, for example "CGPA 4.1/5.0". Use the official wording on your documents.

Show a grade for each degree where it helps you, each with its own scale. You can choose to show one and not the other, unless the employer asks for both.

Example:
"MBA, University X | 2025 | GPA 3.8/4.0
B.Com, University Y | 2022 | CGPA 7.4/10"

Keep the format consistent so readers can see each scale clearly. Never mix up scales or combine grades into one figure.

Use the figure on your official transcript, because that is what employers will check. Portals sometimes show unofficial or in-progress figures that differ from final results.

If the difference is significant, or you are not sure which is official, ask your university's registrar or exams office. Keep a copy of your official transcript ready in case the employer asks to verify your grade.

Yes, if it is the official result on your certificate, such as "Excellent", "Very Good", "Distinction" or "First Class". It is accurate and easy to read.

Adding the number can help international employers, though. Example: "General Grade: Excellent (GPA 3.7/4.0)".

Do not use descriptive words that are not your official grade, such as "excellent academic record", unless you can support them with specific results.

There is no single method. Employers may compare grades using their own experience, guidance from credential evaluation services, or the grading information provided by universities. Practices differ widely.

To make your grades easy to understand:

• Always show the scale (for example "/4.0", "/10" or "/20").
• Add a short note if the scale is unusual, such as "1.0 = best".
• Include an official honour or classification if you have one.
• Follow any instructions on the application form.

If an employer requires an evaluation, it will usually say so and explain how to provide it.