The Spanish Grading System Explained: 0 to 10 Scale
If you are studying in Spain, converting a Spanish grade to your home system, or reviewing a transcript with Spanish grades, the 0 to 10 scale is straightforward once you know the labels and pass marks.
The grading scale and labels
- 0.0 to 4.9: Suspenso (Fail)
- 5.0 to 6.9: Aprobado (Pass)
- 7.0 to 8.9: Notable (Good)
- 9.0 to 9.9: Sobresaliente (Excellent)
- 10.0: Matricula de Honor (Distinction, capped at roughly 5% of students per course)
The minimum pass mark
A 5.0 out of 10 is the pass threshold at most Spanish universities and secondary schools. Anything below a 5 is a Suspenso, meaning the student must retake the exam or assessment.
How Spanish grades compare internationally
- Sobresaliente (9-10) roughly corresponds to an A or first-class grade.
- Notable (7-8.9) maps approximately to a B or upper-second.
- Aprobado (5-6.9) is a pass, comparable to a C or lower-second.
- Suspenso is a fail across most equivalent systems.
What Matricula de Honor means
Matricula de Honor is a distinction awarded only to the top student or students in a cohort, typically capped by regulation at around 5% per course. It recognizes exceptional performance rather than just a high numerical score.
Converting Spanish grades to GPA or other systems
There is no single universal conversion. Spanish universities typically use WES (World Education Services) tables or official equivalence guides for international applications. The ANECA agency provides reference equivalences for European programs.
GradeBuddy calculates your weighted average from Spanish grades automatically once you enter each subject score and credit weighting. For a broader comparison across countries, see the guide to converting grades between countries.
Common questions
- What is a passing grade in Spain?
- A 5.0 out of 10 is the minimum passing grade at Spanish universities and in secondary education. Scores from 0 to 4.9 are a Suspenso (fail) and typically require a resit.
- What does Matricula de Honor mean on a Spanish transcript?
- It is the highest distinction, awarded to exceptional students in a cohort. It represents a 10 out of 10, but only a limited number can be awarded per course, usually around 5% of enrolled students.
- How do I convert a Spanish grade to a UK or US grade?
- There is no single official conversion table. As a rough guide, Sobresaliente (9-10) maps to a first or A, Notable (7-8.9) to an upper-second or B, and Aprobado (5-6.9) to a pass. WES and individual institutions may use different conversion formulas.