France uses a 0-20 grading scale where 20 is theoretically perfect but rarely given. A 16 or above is considered excellent. A 14 in France is closer to a US A- or B+ despite looking low on an American scale. This converter maps French grades to US GPA using standard credential evaluation equivalencies.
| French Grade | Mention | US GPA |
|---|---|---|
| 18-20 | Très Bien | 4.0 |
| 16-17 | Bien | 3.7 |
| 14-15 | Assez Bien | 3.3 |
| 12-13 | Passable (high) | 3.0 |
| 10-11 | Passable (low) | 2.3 |
| Below 10 | Échec | 0.0 |
The French grading system is known for its "notation sévère" (strict grading). Professors rarely award grades above 16/20, and a perfect 20/20 is almost never given. A student scoring 14/20 in France is performing at a level comparable to a strong B+ or A- in the US system. The "mention" system (Très Bien, Bien, Assez Bien, Passable) is what appears on French diplomas and is the primary reference point for international grade conversion.
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Instantly converted to the 4.0 scale.
Based on standard credential evaluation mappings.
Full conversion table included.
Explains how the grading system works.
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