In Nigeria, the academic grading system scales from A (First class) to F (fail). Below is the grading system of Nigerian schools.
Nigeria offers six years of basic education, three years of junior secondary education, and three years of senior secondary education. If a student chooses to continue higher education this is then four years of tertiary/university education.
Mathematics and English language are compulsory for all students in Nigeria although maths may not be required for some courses in higher institutions - this is dependent on admissions criteria.
University Grades in Nigeria PercentageGrade (Global)0 - 4%A60 - 69%B50 - 59%C45 - 49%D40 - 44%E0 - 100%F
Most Common Grade ScaleGrade DescriptionUS/EU Grade EquivalentA70.00 - 100.00First Class Honours (5)AAB70.00 - 100.00AB60.00 - 69.99Second Class Honours, Upper (4)B+BC60.00 - 69.99B+C50.00 - 59.99Second Class Honours, Lower (3)BCD50.00 - 59.99BD45.00 - 49.99Third Class (2)C+E40.00 - 44.99Pass (1)CF0.00 - 39.99F 5-point University (Example - University of Lagos) GradeScaleScale 2US/EU Grade EquivalentA70.00 - 100.005.00AB60.00 - 69.004.00ABC50.00 - 59.003.00BD45.00 - 49.002.00BCE40.00 - 44.001.00CF0.00 - 39.000.00F Postgraduate
Not all universities use merit score - often pass 40%+ or distinction 70% grade given GradeUS/EU EquivalentDistinction70%+Merit/Credit 60%+Pass40%+ (typically 50%)Fail0 - 39% Note that NUC (Nigeria University Commission) has expressed strong recommendation to upgrade passing scores in Nigeria universities to 45 which by implication would phase out 40 as pass mark for undergraduate studies. Additionally, to discontinue awarding degrees below 3rd class (if all universities ultimately comply).
Also, at post graduate level, the minimum pass mark for course works is usually 50 (rather than 40).
International Baccalaureate (IB), Advance Placement (AP) Courses, SATs Whilst some international universities recognise West African Examinations Council (WAEC), many others ask Nigerian students for International Baccalaureate (IB) exams or for students to take five or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or possibly the first year of an undergraduate degree at a university known as a foundation (course or diploma) if they gain admission with WAEC.
In Nigeria many students who intend to take international exams do entry exams on top of their WAEC. There are arguments against making Nigerian students who clearly qualify to take an additional admission exam. However many top American and EU universities require choice of IB, SAT or ACT and SAT Math 1 or 2 and a science subject test and letters of recommendation depending on the course the student wishes to take.
Joint Admissions and Matriculations (JAMB) The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) is a Nigerian entrance examination board for tertiary-level institutions. Every year, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board conducts an examination that determines if a student will be admitted to higher education. All of these candidates must have obtained the West Africa School Certificate, now West African Examinations Council, WAEC, or its equivalent National Examination Council (Nigeria), NECO. Range of UTME ScoresMarks400-38160378-38059 - -283-30043 - -246-25033 - -196-20023191-19522186-19021180-18520
West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) / WAEC A Levels, GCE West African School Certificate (WAEC) replaced the West African General Certificate of Education Ordinary and Advanced levels (GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels) in 1989 and is equivalent to high school / upper secondary passout grades in their 6th year of basic education for admission into Colleges. Many students can use this for direct entry into university in Nigeria, Africa and internationally depending on admissions criteria. GradeScaleGrade DescriptionUS/EU EquivalentA11.00 - 1.99ExcellentA+B22.00 - 2.99Very GoodAB33.00 - 3.99GoodBC44.00 - 4.99CreditBC55.00 - 5.99CreditCC66.00 - 6.99CreditCD77.00 - 7.99PassDE88.00 - 8.99PassDF99.00FailF
General Certificate of Education (GCE) GradeUS/EU Grade ComparisonAABBCBDCEC
National Examination Council (NECO) This is another Nigeria's awarding body school in Nigeria at GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels. The National Common Entrance Examination is administered to pupils in their 6th year of basic education for admission into Colleges. Two examinations are held annually. Students take an exam on Mathematics, General Science and English and various including Social Studies. GradeGrade DescriptionUS GradeA1ExcellentA+B2Very GoodAB3GoodBC4CreditBC5CreditCC6CreditCD7PassDD/E8PassDF9FailF References
External links https://allafrica.com/stories/201811010293.html https://www.naijaonlinebiz.com/newly-approved-grading-system-for-nigerian-universities/ https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Grading-of-JAMB-UTME-score-Total-Marks-60_tbl2_338311460 https://www.qmul.ac.uk/international-students/countries/nigeria/ https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/nigeria
See also Nigeria Federal government of Nigeria Grading in education