PUP Grading System | From 1.00 to 5.00 Fully Explained
If you just got accepted to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines or you are already enrolled and still confused about how grades work this guide is for you.
The PUP grading system is straightforward once you understand the basics, but there are a few important rules that every student needs to know before the semester ends.
What Is the PUP Grading System?
PUP uses a numerical grading scale from 1.00 to 5.00, where:
- 1.00 is the highest grade (Excellent)
- 3.00 is the minimum passing grade for undergraduate programs
- 5.00 means Failed
Like most Philippine universities, the lower your number, the better your performance. A student with a 1.50 is doing much better than a student with a 2.75 — even though 2.75 is technically still passing.
🎓 PUP Grading Scale
| 🏅 Grade | 📊 Percentage | 📝 Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00 | 97–100% | 🌟 Excellent |
| 1.25 | 94–96% | 💚 Very Good |
| 1.50 | 91–93% | 👍 Good |
| 1.75 | 88–90% | 💚 Very Good |
| 2.00 | 85–87% | 👍 Good |
| 2.25 | 82–84% | 🌼 Satisfactory |
| 2.50 | 79–81% | 🌤️ Fair |
| 2.75 | 76–78% | 🌤️ Fair |
| 3.00 | 75% | ✅ Passed |
| 5.00 | Below 75% | ❌ Failed |
| INC | — | ⏳ Incomplete |
A grade of 3.00 is the lowest passing mark. Anything below 75% results in a 5.00 (Failed), and the student must retake the subject.
PUP Grading Scale: Graduate Programs
PUP Graduate School follows a stricter grading system. The passing standard is higher for postgraduate students.
Master’s Degree
| 🏅 Grade | 📝 Description |
|---|---|
| 1.00 | 🌟 Excellent |
| 1.25 | 💎 Very Good |
| 1.50 | 👍 Good |
| 1.75 | 🌼 Satisfactory |
| 2.00 | ✅ Passed |
| Below 2.00 | ❌ Failed |
| INC | ⏳ Incomplete |
Doctorate Degree
| 🏅 Grade | 📝 Description |
|---|---|
| 1.00 | 🌟 Excellent |
| 1.25 | 💎 Very Good |
| 1.50 | 👍 Good |
| 1.75 | ✅ Passed |
| Below 1.75 | ❌ Failed |
| INC | ⏳ Incomplete |
For a doctorate degree, the minimum passing grade per subject is 1.75, and the overall graduation average required is also 1.75. For a master’s degree, the minimum is 2.00 per subject and 2.00 overall.
How to Compute Your GWA at PUP
Formula: GWA = Sum of (Grade × Units) ÷ Total Units
GWA = 24.25 ÷ 13 = 1.865 (Very Good)
Always include the number of units for each subject. Major courses carry more weight and have a bigger impact on your GWA.
Grading Periods: Prelim, Midterm, and Finals
PUP grading system divides each semester into three grading periods:
- 🌱Prelim (30%): Covers the first few weeks — sets your baseline
- 🔍Midterm (30%): Midpoint checkpoint — includes exams and quizzes
- 🏁Finals(40%): Heaviest weight — includes final exams, projects, and major outputs
If you perform poorly in the prelim, you can still recover — but it becomes harder as the semester goes on. Start strong from day one.
What Is an INC Grade at PUP?
An INC (Incomplete) grade is given when a student was unable to complete a course requirement — for example, missing the final exam due to illness or a family emergency.
Key rules about INC at PUP:
- You have one year from the semester you received the INC to complete the missing requirement.
- After one year, the INC remains on record with no credit (NC), or you must repeat the course.
- If you have two or more INC grades, you will not be allowed to re-enroll until you clear them.
Failed Grades and Academic Probation
A grade of 5.00 (Failed) means you must retake the subject and pay the corresponding tuition fees. The failed grade stays on your record and affects your GWA.
- A GWA below 2.25 may trigger an academic warning.
- A GWA below 2.00 for two consecutive semesters can result in dismissal.
Latin Honors: What GWA Do You Need?
| 🏆 Honor | 📊 Required GWA | 📋 Additional Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Summa Cum Laude | 1.20 or below | 📌 No grade below 2.00 📜 Thesis required |
| 🥈 Magna Cum Laude | 1.21 – 1.45 | 📌 No grade below 2.25 |
| 🥉 Cum Laude | 1.46 – 1.75 | ⭐ Consistent academic performance |
To be eligible, you must also have no incomplete grades at graduation, completed the minimum required units at PUP, and no disciplinary violations on record.
Find Out: How to Compute GWA in College
PUP vs. Other Philippine Universities
The passing mark of 75% is consistent across all institutions, but the exact percentage for mid-range grades varies. Always verify the grading scale when comparing transcripts.
Tips to Protect and Improve Your GWA at PUP
- 📝Never miss major exams — an absent grade on a final can turn a pass into an INC or 5.00
- ⚡Clear INC grades immediately — procrastinating costs you enrollment eligibility.
- 📊Track your GWA every semester, not just at graduation.
- 🎯Focus on major subjects — they carry more units and have bigger impact.
- 💻Use the SIS (Student Information System) portal to check grades as soon as they are posted.
- 🗣️Talk to your professor early if you are struggling — not after the finals
FAQs
Final Word
The PUP grading system rewards consistent effort. Whether you are aiming for Summa Cum Laude, maintaining a scholarship, or simply trying to pass all your subjects understanding how grades are computed puts you in control of your academic journey.
Check your grades early, clear your Incompletes on time, and keep your GWA moving in the right direction.
