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Academic grading in Italy

This article is about the grading used in Italy.

In Italian primary school, a 5-point grading scale is used, where:

• Ottimo (excellent)
• Distinto (good)
• Buono (average)
• Sufficiente (pass)
• Non Sufficiente (non pass)

In high school a 10-point scale is used , being 6 the minimum grade for passing. Specifications such as + and -, half grades, and grades like 6/7 are often used. Note that the grades used in primary school are derived from this scale, with Non Sufficiente meaning "5 and under", and the other grades standing respectively for 7, 8, 9, 10. A 10 is very rare to score, as well as a 1. An 8 is usually considered an excellent grade. The average grade goes between 6 and 7.

Universities in Italy use a 30-point scale simply divided in two, non passing (0 to 17 points), and passing grades (18 to 30 points), for ordinary exams, and a 110-point scale for the final dissertation, divided in two as well, being 66 the minimum grade for passing. For outstanding results the Lode "praise", is added at the maximum grade.

To someone familiar with both the Italian and the U.S. college systems, Italian grades are best translated into American grades (and vice versa) according to the following table: