German Grading System to GPA: Conversion Table & Formula

The German grading system uses a scale from 1.0 to 5.0 (or 6.0), with 1.0 being the best (excellent) and 5.0 (or 6.0) being the lowest (fail). Most universities use a 1.0 to 5.0 scale, and grades are often given in decimals (e.g., 1.3, 2.5). Unlike in many other countries, where a higher score means a better grade, in Germany, a lower grade is better.

German universities grade students' academic performance using a point system of 1 to 6 (or 5). 6 represents poor performance, while 1 represents excellent performance.

So, if you’re applying to a German university, you’ll need to convert your CGPA or percentage into this grading system. Since German universities don’t follow a uniform conversion method, some use the Modified Bavarian Formula to calculate your German GPA.

Now, to let you know, Germany has two common grading scales - one that goes from 1.0 to 6.0, and another from 1.0 to 5.0.

German University Grading System (1-6 Scale)

German University Grading System (1-5 Scale)

Note from Yocket - Every university might have slight variations in how they interpret grades, so it’s always a good idea to check with your target university’s grading policy.

Suggested: MS in Germany

The German grading system applies at different educational levels, from primary school to doctoral studies. But the way grades are given varies depending on the level of education.

For example, primary and secondary schools use a 1-6 scale, while universities mainly use a 1-5 scale. 

Let’s break it down in detail for better understanding.

Primary and Secondary Education (School Level)

At the school level (Grundschule, Realschule, Gymnasium), Germany uses a 1-6 grading scale, where 1 is the best and 6 is a fail. At the Abitur (high school final exams) stage, the final grade is calculated based on coursework and exam scores. A score closer to 1.0 is considered excellent, while a score above 4.0 means the student has failed.

University Level (Undergraduate and Postgraduate)

Universities in Germany follow a 1.0 - 5.0 grading system, where 1.0 is the best score and 5.0 means fail. Most public universities in Germany have a strict grading system. To get into top master’s programmes, students typically need a GPA between 1.0 - 2.5.

Doctoral (PhD) Level Grading

At the doctoral level, German universities use a different grading system based on distinction levels. Unlike bachelor’s or master’s programmes, PhD candidates are rarely graded with numbers. Instead, they are awarded honours based on the quality of their dissertation and defence.

The Indian grading system uses percentages (out of 100%) or CGPA (out of 10), while the German grading system follows a 1.0 - 5.0 scale, where 1.0 is the highest grade, and 5.0 is a fail.

In simpler terms, the key difference is: Unlike India, a lower German GPA means a better grade. For example, an Indian student with 85% might expect a 3.5 GPA in the US, but in Germany, they would get around 1.7, which is considered very good.

Here’s how Indian percentages compare to the German GPA scale:

German universities don’t use a fixed conversion chart. Instead, they follow the Modified Bavarian Formula, which calculates your German GPA based on your Indian marks.

Here is the formula,

German GPA = 1 + (3 × (Max Grade - Your Grade) / (Max Grade - Min Passing Grade))

Example Calculation:

If your Indian university considers 100% as the highest grade and 70% as the minimum passing grade, and you scored 85%, then:

German GPA = 1 + (3 × (100 - 85) / (100 - 70))
= 1 + (3 × 15 / 30)
= 1 + (45 / 30)
= 1 + 1.5
= 2.5

So, if you scored 85% in India, your equivalent German GPA would be 2.5.

Now that you understand how the German grading system works, the next step is converting your Indian percentage or CGPA into the German GPA system. This is important because German universities usually require your grades in their format.

Now you must be thinking - how does the conversion work?

Well, most German universities use the Modified Bavarian Formula for this. Here’s how it looks:

German GPA = 1 + (3 × (Max Grade - Your Grade) / (Max Grade - Min Passing Grade))

Example Calculation:

Let’s assume:

• Max Grade (Nmax) = 100% (highest possible score)

• Min Passing Grade (Nmin) = 50% (some universities use 40% or 70%, so check yours!)

• Your Score (Nd) = 85%

Applying the formula:

German GPA = 1 + (3 × (100 - 85) / (100 - 50))
= 1 + (3 × 15 / 50)
= 1 + (45 / 50)
= 1 + 0.9
= 1.9

So, if your university follows a minimum passing grade of 50%, your German GPA would be 1.9 (which falls under the "Good" category).

To convert your Indian percentage or Indian CGPA to a German GPA, follow this formula. Nevertheless, depending on your university's criteria, using an online German Grading System Calculator tool would be a simpler option.

An important note: Some universities may use 40% or 70% as the minimum passing grade, which slightly changes the final GPA. Always check with the university you're applying to!

ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. It’s pretty simple to understand.

According to the European Commission, over 1.3 million students have used ECTS credits for smoother transfers and degree recognition across European universities. You can think of ECTS as a standard tool that helps European universities understand and compare students' grades across different countries. It’s like a universal report card used by most EU nations. 

German universities mainly use their own 1.0 to 5.0 scale to grade students. But for international applications or when students are transferring credits, ECTS grades (A to E) help make sense of academic performance across borders.

The following table serves as a GPA calculator for German universities by displaying grades from higher education in Germany together with their corresponding ECTS scores.

Most public universities in Germany require a minimum German GPA between 2.5 and 3.0. But for competitive or high-profile programmes like engineering, business, or computer science, you’ll usually need a GPA of 2.0 or better.

According to DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), applicants to competitive master's programmes are typically admitted with a GPA between 1.5 and 2.5, depending on the course and university.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand how universities in Germany assess your GPA:

• GPA of 1.0 - 2.0: Very good to excellent. You’ll be eligible for most high-demand courses and top universities.

• GPA of 2.1 - 2.5: Good. You can still apply to great universities but might face more competition.

• GPA of 2.6 - 3.0: Satisfactory. You're eligible for moderate-demand programmes.

• GPA above 3.0: It may get difficult to qualify for most public universities. You may want to target private universities or look into foundation/bridge programmes.

Yocket Tip: If your GPA seems borderline, focus on a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP), relevant work experience, and good IELTS or TOEFL scores to boost your application. These things really help.

P.S. And remember, always check the university’s official website. GPA cut-offs can change slightly based on the programme, intake, or total number of applicants.

It's crucial to comprehend German academic grading, but it's also necessary to remember that your GPA isn't everything. Numerous variables, such as the caliber of your application and your enthusiasm and aptitude for the subject, are considered when granting admission to German institutions.

Nevertheless, having a strong GPA alongside the above-listed characteristics is unquestionably the cherry on top. Yocket Premium has helped thousands of students like you to land their admissions to top German universities. Would you like to know more, or gain assistance with everything studying abroad? Speak with a Yocket Counsellor today via a personalized one-on-one call!