Academic grading in Hong Kong

Academic work in Hong Kong is graded as follows:

Universities

In Hong Kong, the system of grade point average (GPA)^[1] is used in universities.

A+	4.30	B+	3.30	C+	2.30	D+	1.30
A	4.00	B	3.00	C	2.00	D	1.00	F	0.00
A-	3.70	B-	2.70	C-	1.70

Some universities do not include A+ in the grades,^[2] or set the grade point of A+ to be 4.00,^[3] so that the maximum GPA attainable is 4.00 instead of 4.30. Some universities use a 12-point based system called "CGA" instead.^[4] Some universities do not include minus grades (i.e., no A−, B−, C−) and the grade point of A+, B+, C+, D+ is 4.5, 3.5, 2.5, 1.5 respectively.^[5] Yet, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University caps all GPA values at 4.0.

Definitions

Grade A: Excellent
Grade B: Good
Grade C: Adequate
Grade D: Marginal pass
Grade E: Conditional fail (rare)
Grade F: Fail

Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination

Results of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) were expressed in terms of six grades A to F, of which grade A is the highest and F the lowest. Results below grade F were designated as unclassified (UNCL).^[6]^[7] HKCEE and HKALE have been completely replaced by the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination in 2013. The last HKCEE were held in 2012 and the last HKALE were held in 2013 for private candidates only.

Common grade definition of HKCEE and HKALE recognized by the Government and Institutes

Grade A: Distinction or GCSE/GCE A* equivalent
Grade B: Credit or GCSE/GCE A*/A equivalent
Grade C: Credit or GCSE/GCE A equivalent
Grade D: Pass or GCSE/GCE B equivalent
Grade E: Pass or GCSE/GCE C equivalent
Grade F: Failed
UNCL: Unclassified

Notes:

Grade C or above in a HKCEE subject is recognised as equivalent to an O-level pass (grade C or better) in an overseas GCE examination. But Grade E in HKCEE is commonly recognized as a pass for most employers and education institutes in Hong Kong.
Grade E or above in HKALE subject is recognised as equivalent to a pass (Grade E or above) in a British overseas GCE examination.
Since 2007, HKCEE and HKALE grades could be regarded as 2 grades higher than their IGCSE and UK A-Levels counterparts (e.g. a C in HKALE is comparable to an A in GCE A-levels), except English and Chinese as they are subject to a different comparison standard of grading from level 1 to 5.^[8]

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination

For Category A subjects (Senior Secondary Subjects) in the HKDSE, results are expressed in terms of five levels, of which level 5 is the highest and level 1 the lowest. Distinction levels 5** and 5* will be awarded to two best-performing groups of candidates attaining Level 5, with level 5** being awarded to the highest-achieving 10% and level 5* being awarded to the next highest-achieving 30%. ^[9]^[10]

For Category B subjects (Applied Learning Subjects), results awarded are divided into three grades, "Attained", "Attained with Distinction (I)" and "Attained with Distinction (II)". The grade "Attained with Distinction (I)" is comparable to a level 3 of the Category A subjects while "Attained with Distinction (II)" is comparable to level 4 or above. The subject of Applied Learning Chinese however only has the grades “Attained” and “Attained with Distinction”, which the grade “Attained with Distinction” is comparable to level 3 or above of the Category A subjects . Performance below the grade “Attained” is designated as “Unattained” and will not be reflected on the certificate.^[9]