The Dutch Grading System Explained (1 to 10 Scale)
The Netherlands uses a 1 to 10 grading scale at secondary and university level. It is decimal and linear, making it straightforward to calculate averages, but the passing threshold and what each grade signals differ from many other systems.
The scale and what each grade signals
- 1 to 4: very poor to poor (failing).
- 5 to 5.4: insufficient (failing, but closer to passing).
- 5.5: borderline pass (minimum passing grade in most contexts).
- 6: satisfactory (commonly the practical minimum for a pass).
- 7: adequate to good.
- 8: good.
- 9: very good.
- 10: exceptional (rarely awarded, typically once or twice per year per institution, if at all).
Passing and failing thresholds
The official passing grade in the Dutch system is 5.5, but in practice many institutions record borderline grades as 6, and some programs require a minimum of 6 for specific courses or components. A 5.4 is a fail. For final exams at secondary level (Eindexamen), a minimum average of 5.5 applies across subjects with certain minimum-per-subject rules.
Weighted averages in Dutch education
Dutch universities and secondary schools often use weighted averages, where certain subjects or exam components count more toward the final grade. The GPA calculator handles weighted Dutch averages directly when you enter each component and its weight.
Converting Dutch grades to other scales
- To a 4.0 GPA scale: a Dutch 6 is roughly 2.0 (C), a 7 is roughly 2.7 to 3.0 (B), an 8 is roughly 3.3 to 3.7 (B+/A-).
- To the German system (1 to 6, inverted): a Dutch 10 is roughly a German 1 (sehr gut), a Dutch 6 is roughly a German 3 to 4 (befriedigend).
- To US letter grades: Dutch 10 is A+, 8 to 9 is A/B+, 7 is B, 6 is C.
- Exact conversions depend on the institution and country; the values above are rough guides.
GradeBuddy calculates your weighted average or GPA in the Dutch system and converts between grading systems. For a broader comparison, see the article on how to convert grades between countries.
Common questions
- What is a good grade in the Dutch system?
- A 7 is a solid, respectable grade. An 8 is good, and 9 or 10 is exceptional. Most students aim for a 7 as a comfortable pass. A 6 passes but signals only minimal proficiency.
- What is the passing grade in Dutch universities?
- Typically 5.5, which is usually rounded to 6 on official transcripts. Some programs require a 6 or higher for specific courses. A 5.4 is a fail.
- How is 5.5 different from 6 in the Dutch system?
- 5.5 is the theoretical minimum pass, but many institutions record it as 6 on transcripts. In practice, most Dutch students treat 6 as the minimum passing grade. A 5.4 is unambiguously a fail.
- How do I convert a Dutch 7 to a GPA?
- Approximately 2.7 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, though the exact conversion varies by institution and program. A GPA calculator that supports Dutch-to-GPA conversion gives a more precise result.