Evaluation Process
Cumulative GPA is the average of all grades received in all courses.
How is Cumulative GPA calculated?
- Multiply the credits for each course by the corresponding numerical grade point of the grade you earned.
- Add the total grade points together.
- Add together the number of credits you earned.
- Divide the grade point total by the total number of credits, rounding to the nearest hundredth.
Repeating a Course:
- If a student repeats a course, the highest mark in the course will be used in the calculation of the final average as well as in the calculation of the average for all program requirements, prerequisites and for all other internal purposes where an average is calculated.
- The marks for previous attempts of the course will remain on the student’s permanent record. The number of times a student may take a course is limited to three regardless of prior successes or failures.
Passes:
- A passing numerical grade (50-100) counts in the cumulative GPA
- Note: The passing grade in most courses is 50 per cent. See individual program regulations for passing grade and evaluation information.
- A course repeated more than once (each attempt included a passing grade), the higher grade will count towards the cumulative GPA, however the first attempt will always be awarded credit.
- A “PAS” grade does not count in the cumulative GPA (COVID-19 terms)
Failures:
- A Failed numerical grade (0-49) is calculated in the cumulative GPA until it is replaced with a new passing grade (50-100).
- If a course was failed twice, the highest numerical grade will count in the cumulative GPA until it is replaced with a new passing grade.
Example A:
ABCD-1234 40 0.0 (does NOT count in cumulative GPA)
ABCD-1234 60 3.0 (counts in cumulative GPA)
Example B:
ABCD-1234 60 3.0 (does NOT count in cumulative GPA)
ABCD-1234 80 0.0 (counts in cumulative GPA)
Example C:
ABCD-1234 80 3.0 (counts in cumulative GPA)
ABCD-1234 75 0.0 (does NOT count in cumulative GPA)
Example D:
ABCD-1234 FAI 0.0 (does NOT count in cumulative GPA)
ABCD-1234 PAS 3.0 (does NOT count in cumulative GPA)
Example E:
ABCD-1234 F 0.0 (does NOT count in cumulative GPA)
ABCD-1234 60 3.0 (does count in cumulative GPA)
Within the first week of each course, the instructor shall provide a written description of the evaluation procedure to be employed. All elements that contribute to the final grade in the course along with the percentage proportion assigned to each will be included in the description of the evaluation procedure. The passing grade in most courses is 50 per cent.
Successful Completion of a Course
The passing grade in most courses is 50 percent.
- Note: The passing grade in most courses is 50 per cent. See individual program regulations for passing grade and evaluation information.
Equivalency Key
For the benefit of those receiving institutions that prefer letter grades, or who use a four-point grade point system, the following equivalencies key may be used:
Cape Breton University Percentage Grades Equated to Letter Grades and Grade Points
|
Numerical Grade |
Letter Grade |
Approximate Grade Point Value |
|
90-100% |
A+ |
4.0 |
|
85-89% |
A |
3.9 |
|
80-84% |
A- |
3.7 |
|
77-79% |
B+ |
3.3 |
|
73-76% |
B |
3.0 |
|
70-72% |
B- |
2.7 |
|
67-69% |
C+ |
2.3 |
|
63-66% |
C |
2.0 |
|
60-62% |
C- |
1.7 |
|
57-59% |
D+ |
1.3 |
|
53-56% |
D |
1.0 |
|
50-52% |
D- |
0.7 |
|
0-49% |
F |
0.0 |
Legends Used in Place of Numerical Grades
In certain cases, legends are used in place of numerical grades. Students should familiarize themselves with these legends, since some of them have a direct influence on average and rank.
AUD = Audit
Used to record an audit, where a student is eligible to attend regular classes but ineligible to participate in written assignments or examinations set for the course. No credit is attached to an audit.
PAS = Pass
Used to record credit for a course where no numerical grade is assigned. This legend is not considered in the calculation of averages.
FAI = Failure
Used to record a failure in a course where no numerical grade is assigned. This legend is not considered in the calculation of averages.
INC = Incomplete/Grade
Used as a temporary grade that is granted to a student who has been unable to complete some part of the term work in a course and who has been granted additional time after the course end date to complete the missing course component (s). A final grade must be submitted within six weeks of the end of term. If no grade is submitted in the six weeks after the term ends, the INC will be changed to zero.
NGR = No Grade Report
This legend is used as a mid-term grade for six-credit directed study or honours thesis courses where no formal evaluation has taken place in the first half of the course. It may not be used as a final grade.
F = Failure
Indicates a course drop without a formal withdrawal. This legend is used when a student has registered for a course but has not submitted any course work and counts as a zero in the calculation of the student’s average.
WF = Course Withdrawal – Failure
Indicates a formal course withdrawal after the course penalty date. It counts as a zero in the calculation of the student’s average.
WP = Course Withdrawal Without Penalty
Indicates a formal course withdrawal on or before the course penalty date. The WP legend is not considered in the calculation of the student’s average.
WS = Course Withdrawal in Special Circumstances
Indicates withdrawal without penalty after the course penalty date due to extenuating circumstances. The WS legend is not considered in the calculation of the student’s average.
Aegrotat Standing
Aegrotat standing is the granting of credit for a course or courses based on the course work already completed, where no further assessment (for example, a deferred examination) is considered feasible because of illness or other extenuating circumstances. Aegrotat standing is not noted on the transcript or grade report, and is treated like any other grade. Students may only be granted aegrotat standing with the approval of the dean and the instructor.