Grading and Transcript Keys

Current

The grading keys below reflect grades currently available as well as upcoming changes that have been approved and will take effect as of the term shown.   For questions about specific current or historical grades, or for transcript keys not listed on this page, contact us at registrar@case.edu

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points Notes
A+   4.333  College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
A Excellent 4.000  
A-   3.666 Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
B+   3.333 Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
B Good 3.000  
B-   2.666 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
C+   2.333 Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
C Fair 2.000  
C-   1.666 Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
D+   1.333 Schools of Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
D Passing 1.000 Not applicable for Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Nursing
D-   0.666 Schools of Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
F Failure 0.000  
AD Successful audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
AP Advanced placement n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
AS Advanced subsidiary n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
CCD Commendable with Clinical Distinction n/a School of Medicine only
COM Commendable n/a School of Medicine only
CR Non-graded course, earns credit n/a  
H Honors n/a Schools of Law (L.L.M.) and Medicine only
I Incomplete n/a  
IB International baccalaureate n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
IN Permanent Incomplete n/a School of Graduate Studies only
IP In progress or extends more than one term n/a School of Medicine only
M Met or exceeded expectations n/a School of Medicine only
NC No credit, credit/no credit course n/a School of Law only
NG Unsuccessful audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
NOG Non-graded Course, no credit n/a  
NP No pass n/a  
P Pass n/a  
PR Proficiency n/a  
R In progress or extends > one term n/a  
S Satisfactory n/a Master’s/doctoral theses, Schools of Law, Medicine, School of Dental Medicine (M.S.D.) only
SA Special audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
TR Transfer n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
U Unsatisfactory n/a Master’s/doctoral theses, Schools of Law, Medicine, School of Dental Medicine (M.S.D.) only
W Withdrawal from the class n/a  
WD Withdrawal from all classes n/a  
WF Withdrawn under Academic Regs. 5 & 6 n/a School of Law only

*For a list of programs participating in the College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) plus/minus grading, please visit CAS Graduate Plus-Minus Grading.

School of Medicine Grading System

University Program: Preclinical courses are graded P, NP, M or U through June 2009; from July 2009 - June 2021, graded AE or U; July 2021, M replaces AE. Core clerkships and clinical electives are graded H, COM, S, AE or U until June 2021; beginning July 2021, M replaces AE and CCD is added to clerkship grades.

College Program (Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine): All courses are graded M or U through June 2009. Beginning July 2009 all courses are graded AE or U. Beginning July 2021, all courses are graded M or U. Competencies are used to assess performance. See CCLCM competencies for further description.

Physician Assistant Program: Non-clinical courses are letter graded. Clinical courses are graded H, COM, S or U.

Note: Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) is not applicable to the Doctor of Medicine Program.

Historical

The transcript keys below apply to individual schools that were part of CWRU.  Unless otherwise noted, the transcript key for Case Western Reserve University from 1967 forward applied to all schools.  For more information on the schools that have made up Case Western Reserve University, please see The Schools of CWRU.

Prior to 1973 

Letter Grade Meaning Notes
A Excellent  
B Good  
C Fair  
D Passing  
F Failure  
P Passing (pass/fail option)  
H Honors (pass/fail option) Nursing only
PD Passed with distinction (pass/fail option) School of Mgmt. only
R Satisfactory - credit earned Graduate and professional schools only
U Unsatisfactory - no credit Graduate and professional schools only
I Incomplete  
R Extended incomplete, no credit Undergraduate schools only
AD Audit  
W Withdrew  
WP Withdrew passing  
WF Withdrew failing  
FW Failure assigned by Registrar (undergraduate)  
UW Failure assigned by Registrar (graduate)  
( ) Hours not earned toward degree  

  1973 to 1987 

Letter Grade Meaning Notes
A Excellent  
B Good  
C Fair  
D Passing  
F Failure  
U Unsatisfactory Used in the School of Graduate Studies as punitive through 1990
P Passed  
PD Pass with distinction Mgmt. only
H Honors Nursing only
AD Audit  
I Incomplete  
R Satisfactory Graduate only
R Conditional grade Undergraduate only
W Withdrew  
WP Withdrew passing Case only
WF Withdrew failing Case only
CR Credit Western Reserve College only
( ) Hours not averaged or earned toward degree  

  1987 to 2008   

Letter Grade Meaning Notes
A+   Law School only, prior to fall 1994
A Excellent  
A-   Law School, Dental School only
B+   Law School, Dental School only
B Good  
B-   Law School, Dental School only
C+   Law School, Dental School only
C Fair  
C-   Law School, Dental School only
D+   Law School, Dental School only
D Passing Not awarded at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and School of Nursing; considered a poor grade for students in the School of Graduate Studies or any professional school
F Failure  
I Incomplete  
IN Incomplete Graduate and professional schools only, beginning fall 1989
R Satisfactory For undergraduate courses which extend more than one semester; final grade issued at conclusion of course
AD Successful audit  
NG Unsuccessful audit Graduate and professional schools prior to fall 1998
P Passing Pass/fail course only
NP Not passing Pass/fail course only
H Honor Law School LL.M. USLS
H High Honors Pass/fail course only; School of Nursing
RPT Repeated course Undergraduates only, available until Summer 2006
S Satisfactory Master/doctoral thesis (also may be used in research courses)
U Unsatisfactory Used in the School of Graduate Studies as punitive through 1990
W Withdrew from the class  
WD Withdrew from all classes Beginning fall 1989
WF Withdrew under Academic Regs. 5&6 Law School only
WU Withdrew from all classes Prior to fall 1989
Z Instructor did not turn in grade  

Fall 2008 to Spring 2016

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points Notes
A Excellent 4.000  
A-   3.666 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
B+   3.333 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
B Good 3.000  
B-   2.666 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
C+   2.333 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
C Fair 2.000  
C-   1.666 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
D+   1.333 Schools of Dental Medicine, Law only
D Passing 1.000 Not applicable for Schools of Applied Social Science, Nursing
D-   0.666 Schools of Dental Medicine, Law only
F Failure 0.000  
AD Successful audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
AE Achieves or exceeds competencies n/a School of Medicine only
AP Advanced placement n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
AS Advanced subsidiary n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
COM Commendable n/a School of Medicine only
CR Non-graded course, earns credit n/a  
H Honors n/a Schools of Law (L.L.M.) and Medicine only
I Incomplete n/a  
IB International baccalaureate n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
IP In progress or extends more than one term n/a School of Medicine only
M Met or exceeded expectations n/a School of Medicine only
NC No credit, credit/no credit course n/a School of Law only
NG Unsuccessful audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
NOG Non-graded Course, no credit n/a  
NP No pass n/a  
P Pass n/a  
PR Proficiency n/a  
R In progress or extends > one term n/a  
S Satisfactory n/a Master’s/doctoral theses, Schools of Law, Medicine, School of Dental Medicine (M.S.D.) only
SA Special audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
TR Transfer n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
U Unsatisfactory n/a Master’s/doctoral theses, Schools of Law, Medicine, School of Dental Medicine (M.S.D.) only
W Withdrawal from the class n/a  
WD Withdrawal from all classes n/a  
WF Withdrawn under Academic Regs. 5 & 6 n/a School of Law only
1 - 69 Nonpassing grade n/a School of Dental Medicine only; not included in GPA
70 - 100 Passing grade n/a School of Dental Medicine only; not included in GPA

Summer 2016

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points Notes
A Excellent 4.000  
A-   3.666 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
B+   3.333 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
B Good 3.000  
B-   2.666 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
C+   2.333 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
C Fair 2.000  
C-   1.666 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law only
D+   1.333 Schools of Dental Medicine, Law only
D Passing 1.000 Not applicable for Schools of Applied Social Science, Nursing
D-   0.666 Schools of Dental Medicine, Law only
F Failure 0.000  
AD Successful audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
AE Achieves or exceeds competencies n/a School of Medicine only
AP Advanced placement n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
AS Advanced subsidiary n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
COM Commendable n/a School of Medicine only
CR Non-graded course, earns credit n/a  
H Honors n/a Schools of Law (L.L.M.) and Medicine only
I Incomplete n/a  
IB International baccalaureate n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
IP In progress or extends more than one term n/a School of Medicine only
M Met or exceeded expectations n/a School of Medicine only
NC No credit, credit/no credit course n/a School of Law only
NG Unsuccessful audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
NOG Non-graded Course, no credit n/a  
NP No pass n/a  
P Pass n/a  
PR Proficiency n/a  
R In progress or extends > one term n/a  
S Satisfactory n/a Master’s/doctoral theses, Schools of Law, Medicine, School of Dental Medicine (M.S.D.) only
SA Special audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
TR Transfer n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
U Unsatisfactory n/a Master’s/doctoral theses, Schools of Law, Medicine, School of Dental Medicine (M.S.D.) only
W Withdrawal from the class n/a  
WD Withdrawal from all classes n/a  
WF Withdrawn under Academic Regs. 5 & 6 n/a School of Law only

Fall 2018 to Summer 2021

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points Notes
A+   4.333  College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
A Excellent 4.000  
A-   3.666 Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
B+   3.333 Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
B Good 3.000  
B-   2.666 Schools of Applied Social Science, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
C+   2.333 Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
C Fair 2.000  
C-   1.666 Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
D+   1.333 Schools of Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
D Passing 1.000 Not applicable for Schools of Applied Social Sciences, Nursing
D-   0.666 Schools of Dental Medicine, Law, and College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) only*
F Failure 0.000  
AD Successful audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
AE Achieves or exceeds competencies n/a School of Medicine only
AP Advanced placement n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
AS Advanced subsidiary n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
COM Commendable n/a School of Medicine only
CR Non-graded course, earns credit n/a  
H Honors n/a Schools of Law (L.L.M.) and Medicine only
I Incomplete n/a  
IB International baccalaureate n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
IN Permanent Incomplete n/a School of Graduate Studies only
IP In progress or extends more than one term n/a School of Medicine only
M Met or exceeded expectations n/a School of Medicine only
NC No credit, credit/no credit course n/a School of Law only
NG Unsuccessful audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
NOG Non-graded Course, no credit n/a  
NP No pass n/a  
P Pass n/a  
PR Proficiency n/a  
R In progress or extends > one term n/a  
S Satisfactory n/a Master’s/doctoral theses, Schools of Law, Medicine, School of Dental Medicine (M.S.D.) only
SA Special audit n/a Included in hours attempted, but not in hours earned or GPA
TR Transfer n/a Test credit or transfer credit only
U Unsatisfactory n/a Master’s/doctoral theses, Schools of Law, Medicine, School of Dental Medicine (M.S.D.) only
W Withdrawal from the class n/a  
WD Withdrawal from all classes n/a  
WF Withdrawn under Academic Regs. 5 & 6 n/a School of Law only

*For a list of programs participating in the College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate) plus/minus grading, please visit CAS Graduate Plus-Minus Grading.

School of Medicine Grading System

University Program: Core clerkship and clinical electives are graded H, COM, S, AE or U. Preclinical electives are graded P, NP, M or U though June 2009. Beginning July 2009 preclinical courses are graded AE or U.

College Program (Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine): All courses graded M or U through June 2009. Beginning July 2009 all courses graded AE or U. Competencies are used to assess performance and are described here: CCLCM competencies

Physician Assistant Program:  Non-clinical courses are letter graded.  Clinical courses are graded H, COM, S or U.

Note: Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) is not applicable to the Doctor of Medicine Program. 

 Prior to September 1939 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

E

Excellent

3

G

Good

2

F

Fair

1

P

Passing

0

X

Failure

0

September 1939 to September 1952 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

3

B

Good

2

C

Fair

1

D

Passing

0

F

Failure

0

I

Incomplete

0

W

Withdrawn without grade

0

WP

Withdrawn, passing

0

WF

Withdrawn, failing

0

September 1952 to 1971 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

4

B

Good

3

C

Fair

2

D

Passing

1

F

Failure

0

I

Incomplete

0

W

Withdrawn

0

S

Audit

0

Prior to September 1941 

Letter Grade Meaning

E

Excellent

G

Good

F

Fair

P

Pass

X

Failure

Inc.

Incomplete

September 1941 to September 1947 

Letter Grade Meaning

A

90-100

B

80-89

C

70-79

D

60-69

F

Failure

Inc.

Incomplete

September 1947 to September 1955 

Letter Grade Meaning

H

Honors

Cr.

Credit

N.C.

No credit

Inc.

Incomplete

September 1955 - 1988 

Letter Grade Meaning

A

Excellent

B

Good

C

Poor (minimum passing)

F

Failure

W

Withdrew without grade

WP

Withdrew passing

WF

Withdrew failing

Inc.

Incomplete

Prior to September 1938 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

E

Excellent

4

G

Good

3

F

Fair

2

P

Passed, subject to quality rules

1

D

Deficient, conditioned

0

X

Failed, repeat course

0

September 1938 to September 1947 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

4

B

Good

3

C

Fair

2

D

Passing

1

E

Condition with privilege of re-examination

0

F

Failure

0

I

Incomplete

0

W

Withdrawn

0

September 1947 - 1953 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

4

B

Good

3

C

Fair

2

D

Passing

1

F

Failure

0

I

Incomplete

0

W

Withdrawn

0

Undergraduate - Prior to September 1962 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

3

B

Good

2

C

Satisfactory

1

D

Passing

0

F

Failure

-2

Conditional Grades    

I

Incomplete

 

P Passing  
L Audit  
W Withdrew  
WF

Withdrew failing

 
WP Withdrew passing

 

EX Excused  

Undergraduate - September 1962 - 1987 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

4

B

Good

3

C

Satisfactory

2

D

Passing

1

F

Failure

0

Conditional Grades    

I

Incomplete

 

P Passing  
L Audit  
W Withdrew  
WF

Withdrew failing

 
WP Withdrew passing

 

EX Excused  

Graduate - Prior to September 1963 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

3

B

Good

2

C

Satisfactory

1

D

Unsatisfactory

0

F

Unsatisfactory

-2*

Conditional Grades    

I

Incomplete

 

P Passing  
L Audit  
W Withdrew  
WF

Withdrew failing

 
WP Withdrew passing

 

EX Excused  

* Except during period September 1961 - September 1963 where F=0 quality points

Graduate - September 1963 - 1987 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

4

B

Good

3

C

Satisfactory

2

D

Unsatisfactory

0

F

Unsatisfactory

0

I

Incomplete

 

P Passing  
L Audit  
W Withdrew  
WF

Withdrew failing

 
WP Withdrew passing

 

EX Excused  

Prior to September 1939 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

3

B

Good

2

C

Fair

1

D

Passing

0

E

Failure

1

I

Incomplete

1

W Withdrawn 1
abs Absent from final examination

1

September 1939 to September 1968 

Grade Meaning Quality Points - Prior to Sept. 1952 Quality Points - Sept. 1952 - Sept. 1968

A

Excellent

3

4

B

Good

2

3

C

Fair

1

2

D

Passing

0

1

F

Failure

1

0

I

Incomplete

1

0

W

Withdrawn

1

0

S

Audit

 

0

September 1968 - 1971 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

4

B

Good

3

C

Fair

2

D

Passing

1

F

Failure

0

P

Pass/Fail

0

I

Incomplete

0

W

Withdrawn

0

L Audit 0

 Prior to September 1939 

Letter Grade Meaning

E

Excellent

G

Good

F

Fair

P

Passing

D

Failure

Inc.

Incomplete

W Withdrawn

September 1939 - 1945

Letter Grade Meaning

A

Excellent

B

Good

C

Fair

D

Passing

F

Failure

Inc.

Incomplete

Wd.

Withdrawn

Prior to September 1939 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

E

Excellent

3

G

Good

2

F

Fair

1

P

Pass

0

D

Deficient

0

X

Deficient without privilege of re-examination

-1

September 1939 to September 1945 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

3

B

Good

2

C

Fair

1

D

Passing

0

E

Deficient

-1

F

Deficient without privilege of re-examination

-1

 September 1945 - 1971 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points - Prior to Sept. 1952 Quality Points - Sept. 1952 - 1971

A

Excellent

3

4

B

Good

2

3

C

Fair

1

2

D

Passing

0

1

F

Failure

-1

0

I

Incomplete

-1

0

W Withdrawn    
S Audit   0

 Prior to September 1941 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points - Undergraduate Only

E

Excellent

4

G

Good

3

F

Fair

2

P

Passing

1

X

Failure

0

W

Withdrawn

0

 

 September 1941 to February 1954 

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points - Undergraduate Only

A

Excellent

4

B

Good

3

C

Fair

2

D

Passing

1

E

Condition

 

F

Failure

0

W Withdrawn 0
I Incomplete 0
S Audit 0

Since February 1954 - 1967 (for grading system in effect after 1967, see Case Western Reserve University in the listing above.

Undergraduate

Letter Grade Meaning Quality Points

A

Excellent

4

B

Good

3

C

Fair

2

D

Passing

1

F

Failure

0

W

Withdrawn

0

I Incomplete 0
S Audit 0

Graduate

Letter Grade Meaning

A

Excellent

B

Good

C

Fair

F

Failure

W

Withdrawn without grade

WP

Withdrawn, passing

WF Withdrawn, failing
I Incomplete
S Audit

Prior to September 1939  

Letter Grade Meaning

Cr.

Credit (good or excellent)

U

Undergraduate credit

N.C.

No credit

H or A

Auditor

W

Withdrew

Inc

Incomplete

September 1939 to February 1942 

Letter Grade Meaning

A

Excellent

B

Good

C

Fair

D

Pass

F

Failure

W

Withdrew

Aud Auditor
Inc Incomplete

February 1942 to September 1948 

Letter Grade Meaning

H

Honors

Cr.

Credit

N.C.

No Credit

Aud

Auditor

W Withdrew
Inc Incomplete
U Undergraduate

September 1948 - 1967 

Letter Grade Meaning

A

Excellent

B

Good

C

Passing

F

Failure

W

Withdrew without grade

WP

Withdrew passing

WF

Withdrew failing

Aud

Auditor

Inc Incomplete
U Undergraduate
L or S Audit

Prior to September 1939 

Letter Grade Meaning

E

Excellent

G

Good

F

Fair

P

Pass

D

Deficient

Cr.

Credit

Aud. Audit
Inc. Incomplete

 September 1939 to September 1948 

Letter Grade Meaning

A

Excellent

B

Good

C

Fair

D

Pass

E

Deficient

Cr.

Credit

Aud. Audit
Inc.

Incomplete

September 1948 - 1981 

Letter Grade Meaning

A

Excellent

B

Good

C

Passing

F

Failure

W

Withdrew without grade

WP

Withdrew passing

WF Withdrew failing
Cr. Credit
Aud. Audit

See current grading system for information on the School of Medicine grading system.