Gradebook · Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian University Grading Scales — ASEAN Comparison
Southeast Asia has some of the most diverse university grading systems in the world. Thailand uses a 0–4 GPA scale. Vietnam grades on 0–10 with MOET performance labels. The Philippines uses an inverted 1.0–5.0 scale where 1.0 is the best grade. Indonesia uses IPK (0–4). Malaysia and Singapore use CGPA/CAP systems broadly similar to the US. This page compares six ASEAN country grading frameworks and explains how OpenEduCat supports multi-country deployment through a single campus-level country selector.
ASEAN Country Grading Scale Comparison
Six Southeast Asian university grading systems compared by scale, top grade, pass threshold, and regional usage.
| Country | Scale | Top Grade | Pass Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 0–4 GPA (8 levels) | A = 4.0 (≥80%) | D = 1.0 (50–54%) | Used at secondary school through university. University admission typically requires GPA ≥2.0. ONET/PAT scores used for national university admission alongside school GPA. |
| Vietnam | 0–10 numeric (converted to A/B/C/D/F for international transcripts) | Xuất sắc (Excellent): 9.0–10 | Trung bình (Average): 5.0 | MOET performance labels applied to numeric averages. University transcripts (Bảng điểm) show both numeric and label. 4.0 scale used for international/AUN-QA reporting. |
| Philippines | 1.0–5.0 (1.0 = Excellent, 3.0 = Pass, 5.0 = Fail) | 1.0 = Excellent (highest) | 3.0 = Pass (minimum) | Inverted scale — lower number is better. Unique to Philippines. Common at CHED-accredited universities (UP, DLSU, Ateneo, UST). INC (Incomplete) and DRP (Dropped) are also grade codes. |
| Indonesia | 0–4 IPK (Indeks Prestasi Kumulatif) | A = 4.0 (≥80% typically) | C = 2.0 (55–59%) | IPK (Cumulative Performance Index) used on Indonesian transcripts. Classification: Cumlaude (IPK ≥3.51, no repeats), Sangat Memuaskan (3.01–3.50), Memuaskan (2.76–3.00). BAN-PT accreditation requirement. |
| Malaysia | 0–4 CGPA (similar to US system) | A = 4.0 (≥80%) | C = 2.0 (50–59%) | Used at public universities (UM, UKM, UPM, UTM, USM) and private universities. Dean's List typically requires CGPA ≥3.5. MQA framework governs quality assurance. |
| Singapore | 0–5 CAP (Cumulative Average Point at NUS/NTU) or 0–4 GPA | A+ = 5.0 at NUS; 4.0 at SMU | D = 1.0 at NUS (C at most others) | NUS and NTU use a 5.0 CAP scale where A+ = 5.0. SMU uses a 4.0 GPA scale. Transcripts show both letter grades and grade points. First Class Honours typically requires CAP ≥4.5 at NUS. |
Grading practices vary between universities within each country. The comparison reflects standard public university conventions.
Why Southeast Asian Grading Systems Differ So Widely
Colonial and Influence Origins
Southeast Asian grading diversity reflects the region's varied colonial and educational influence histories. The Philippines' 1.0–5.0 system reflects American influence from early 20th-century education reform. Vietnam's 0–10 system derives from French educational tradition. Indonesia and Malaysia inherited British-influenced percentage-to-grade-point frameworks, subsequently adapted to local needs. Thailand developed its own 0–4 GPA framework modelled on the US system.
ASEAN Credit Transfer and Harmonisation
The ASEAN Credit Transfer System (ACTS) and AUN-QA (ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance) framework are working toward greater comparability of grades across member states. Vietnam, for example, now reports international transcripts using a 4.0 GPA scale alongside the traditional 0–10 scale. OpenEduCat supports dual-scale reporting for institutions that need to produce both a local-format transcript and an internationally comparable GPA transcript for student mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southeast Asian university grading scale differences.
One platform for all ASEAN grading systems
OpenEduCat's sea_country selector activates the correct grading scale, pass threshold, and transcript format per campus — supporting Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore from a single installation.