French Grading System: Understanding the 20-Point Scale

France uses a distinctive 20-point grading scale across all educational levels. This comprehensive guide explains the French grading system, including university grades, the Baccalauréat, and international equivalencies.

Key Takeaways

  • 20-point scale used throughout education system
  • 10/20 is typically the passing grade
  • Grades above 16/20 are rare
  • Baccalauréat uses coefficient-weighted scoring
  • Different standards for different academic disciplines

The 20-Point Grading Scale

French GradeDescriptionUS Grade EquivalentPerformance Level
16-20Très Bien (Very Good)A+Exceptional
14-15.9Bien (Good)AExcellent
12-13.9Assez Bien (Quite Good)BGood
10-11.9Passable (Pass)CSatisfactory
8-9.9Insuffisant (Insufficient)DBelow Average
0-7.9Très Insuffisant (Very Insufficient)FFail

Baccalauréat Scoring System

The French Baccalauréat (often called "le bac") uses a coefficient-weighted system. Use our Grade Calculator to compute weighted averages.

Final ScoreMention (Honors)Description
16/20 or higherTrès bien avec félicitationsHighest Honors
14-15.9/20Très bienHigh Honors
12-13.9/20BienHonors
10-11.9/20Assez bienPass with Merit
8-9.9/20Rattrapage possibleOral Exam Opportunity
Below 8/20AjournéFail

Higher Education Grading

French universities maintain high standards, and it's rare to achieve perfect scores. Use our Grade Converter to convert between different systems.

Understanding French University Grades

  • Grades above 16 are extremely rare
  • 10-12 is considered a good performance
  • Each semester requires a general average of 10
  • Compensation between courses is often possible

International Grade Equivalency

French GradeUS GPAECTS GradeUK Grade
15-204.0AFirst Class
13-143.7B2:1
11-123.0C2:2
102.0DThird Class

Frequently Asked Questions