Academic grading in Austria
In Austria, academic grades use a 5-point grading scale, where:
- 1 ("Sehr gut" - "very good") is the best possible grade and indicates outstanding performance with minor errors.
- 2 ("Gut" - "good") is the next-highest grade and is given for performance that is above-average standard but with some errors.
- 3 ("Befriedigend" - "satisfactory") indicates generally sound work with a number of notable errors.
- 4 ("Genügend" - "adequate") is the lowest passing grade and is given if the standard has been met but with a significant number of shortcomings.
- 5 ("Nicht genügend" - "unsatisfactory") is the lowest possible grade and the only failing grade (earned for less than 50% of the maximum achievable credit).
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Details of the Austrian system
The Austrian grading system offers a range of five different grades (1 to 5), with 1 ("Sehr gut") being the highest and 5 ("Nicht genügend") the lowest grade. Students must be evaluated according to objective standards and need to earn at least a grade of 4 ("Genügend") in order to pass a course. Usually, the top 10% of successful students in class earn a 1 ("Sehr gut"). However, all passing grades (1 to 4) permit for further studies at university.
The GPA is commonly used to measure academic success and has become increasingly important for application purposes. Nowadays, most employers ask for your last school certificate when applying for an apprenticeship. The Austrian system is similar to the German system.