NOUN Grading System: Understanding Grades, GPA, and Class of Degree

Meta Description: Complete guide to NOUN grading system. Learn how scores convert to grades, calculate GPA, and understand class of degree requirements.

Understanding the NOUN grading system is crucial for every student at the National Open University of Nigeria. Your grades determine your GPA, CGPA, and ultimately your class of degree at graduation. This comprehensive guide explains exactly how the NOUN grading system works, from score ranges to grade points.

Many NOUN students don't fully understand how their final scores translate to letter grades and grade points. This knowledge gap can affect your academic planning and goal-setting. Whether you're aiming for First Class or working to improve your CGPA, mastering the NOUN grading system is your first step to success.

The NOUN Grading System Explained

Overview of NOUN's 5-Point Scale

The National Open University of Nigeria uses a 5-point grading scale, which is standard across all Nigerian universities. This system converts percentage scores into letter grades and corresponding grade points.

The Complete NOUN Grading Table:

Score Range	Letter Grade	Grade Point	Remark	Status
70-100%	A	5	Excellent	Pass
60-69%	B	4	Very Good	Pass
50-59%	C	3	Good	Pass
45-49%	D	2	Pass	Pass
40-44%	E	1	Marginal Fail	Fail
0-39%	F	0	Fail	Fail

Key Features of the NOUN Grading System

1. Consistent Across All Programs The same grading scale applies to:

All undergraduate programs (100L to 500L)
All faculties (Arts, Sciences, Law, etc.)
All postgraduate programs
All study centres nationwide

2. Based on Final Score Your letter grade is determined by your total final score comprising:

Continuous Assessment (CA): 30%
Final Examination: 70%
Total: 100%

3. Credit Units Matter Each course has assigned credit units (typically 1-4 units):

Higher credit courses impact your CGPA more
Grade points are multiplied by credit units
Formula: Grade Points = Credit Units × Grade Point Value

Understanding Each Grade Level

Grade A (Excellent) - 70-100%

Grade Point: 5 Percentage Range: 70-100%

What This Means:

Outstanding performance
Exceptional understanding of course content
Excellent exam and TMA performance

Impact on CGPA: An A grade significantly boosts your CGPA. For a 3-unit course:

Grade Points Earned: 3 × 5 = 15 points

How to Achieve Grade A:

Score minimum 70% overall
Excel in both TMAs (aim for 25/30 or higher)
Score at least 49/70 in final exam
Example: 26 (CA) + 50 (Exam) = 76% = Grade A

Grade B (Very Good) - 60-69%

Grade Point: 4 Percentage Range: 60-69%

What This Means:

Very good understanding of course content
Strong performance in assessments
Above-average student

Impact on CGPA: B grades are excellent for maintaining high CGPA. For a 3-unit course:

Grade Points Earned: 3 × 4 = 12 points

How to Achieve Grade B:

Score between 60-69% overall
Consistent TMA scores (20-24/30)
Good exam performance (42-48/70)
Example: 23 (CA) + 45 (Exam) = 68% = Grade B

Grade C (Good) - 50-59%

Grade Point: 3 Percentage Range: 50-59%

What This Means:

Good understanding of course basics
Satisfactory performance
Average student performance

Impact on CGPA: C grades are acceptable but limit your chances of First or Second Class Upper. For a 3-unit course:

Grade Points Earned: 3 × 3 = 9 points

How to Achieve Grade C:

Score between 50-59% overall
Moderate TMA scores (15-19/30)
Fair exam performance (35-41/70)
Example: 18 (CA) + 38 (Exam) = 56% = Grade C

Warning: Too many C grades result in CGPA below 3.50 (Second Class Lower territory)

Grade D (Pass) - 45-49%

Grade Point: 2 Percentage Range: 45-49%

What This Means:

Minimal passing grade
Basic understanding of course
Below-average performance

Impact on CGPA: D grades significantly lower your CGPA. For a 3-unit course:

Grade Points Earned: 3 × 2 = 6 points

Consequences:

Counts toward graduation but very low contribution
Too many D grades = Third Class or Pass degree
Some programs require minimum C for progression

How to Avoid Grade D:

Start studying early
Attend facilitation classes
Practice with past questions
Improve TMA scores

Grade E (Marginal Fail) - 40-44%

Grade Point: 1 Percentage Range: 40-44%

What This Means:

Failed the course
Insufficient understanding
Must retake

Impact on CGPA: E grades do NOT count toward your CGPA. They're considered failures.

What Happens:

Course appears on transcript as E
You must re-register and retake
New grade replaces E in CGPA calculation
Credit units don't count until you pass

Retake Strategy:

Identify why you failed (exam weak? TMAs poor?)
Focus study on that area
Use course materials and past questions
Attend facilitation for difficult courses

Grade F (Fail) - 0-39%

Grade Point: 0 Percentage Range: 0-39%

What This Means:

Serious failure
Poor understanding of course
Immediate retake required

Impact on CGPA: F grades do NOT count toward your CGPA. Like E, they must be retaken.

Common Reasons for F:

Exam absent or very poor performance
Missing or plagiarized TMAs
Didn't study course materials
Registered wrong course

Recovery Plan:

Retake course next available semester
Study thoroughly from beginning
Submit all TMAs on time
Don't miss final exam

How Scores Are Calculated in NOUN

Understanding the 30-70 Split

Every NOUN course grade comprises two components:

Continuous Assessment (CA) - 30 marks:

Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) - 10 marks
- Usually 3-4 TMAs per course
- Best scores selected
- Submit online via NOUN portal
Online Participation - 10 marks
- Forum discussions
- Virtual class attendance
- Interactive activities
Mid-Term Assessment - 10 marks
- Sometimes a test
- Additional assignment
- Varies by course

Final Examination - 70 marks:

Proctored Online Platform (POP) exam
Usually 2-3 hours duration
Multiple choice and/or essay questions
Written at designated study centre

Score Calculation Examples

Example 1: Getting Grade A

Course: GST101 (2 credit units)

CA Breakdown:

TMA 1: 8/10
TMA 2: 7/10
TMA 3: 9/10
Online participation: 8/10
Total CA: 32/40 (scaled to 26/30)

Final Exam:

Score: 52/70

Total Score:

CA: 26 + Exam: 52 = 78/100
Grade: A (5 points)
Grade Points: 2 units × 5 = 10 points

Example 2: Getting Grade C

Course: MTH101 (3 credit units)

CA Breakdown:

TMAs: 5/10
Online: 5/10
Mid-term: 6/10
Total CA: 16/30

Final Exam:

Score: 38/70

Total Score:

CA: 16 + Exam: 38 = 54/100
Grade: C (3 points)
Grade Points: 3 units × 3 = 9 points

Example 3: Getting Grade F (Must Retake)

Course: ACC201 (4 credit units)

CA Breakdown:

TMAs: 3/10 (submitted late/poor quality)
Online: 2/10 (no participation)
Total CA: 5/30

Final Exam:

Score: 25/70 (poor preparation)

Total Score:

CA: 5 + Exam: 25 = 30/100
Grade: F (0 points)
Must retake course

From Grades to CGPA: The Complete Process

Step 1: Convert Scores to Grades

After each course exam, NOUN converts your percentage score to a letter grade using the grading table.

Step 2: Calculate Grade Points

Formula:

Course Grade Points = Credit Units × Grade Point Value

Example:

Course: ENG201 (2 units)
Score: 65%
Grade: B (4 points)
Grade Points: 2 × 4 = 8 points

Step 3: Calculate Semester GPA

Formula:

GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Units (for that semester)

Example Semester:

Course	Units	Score	Grade	Points	Grade Points
GST201	2	75%	A	5	10
MTH201	3	62%	B	4	12
BUS201	3	54%	C	3	9
ENG201	2	68%	B	4	8
ACC201	4	58%	C	3	12
Total	14				51

Semester GPA = 51 ÷ 14 = 3.64 (Second Class Upper)

Step 4: Calculate Cumulative CGPA

Formula:

CGPA = Total Grade Points (all semesters) ÷ Total Credit Units (all semesters)

Example:

Semester 1: 14 units, 51 grade points
Semester 2: 15 units, 58 grade points
Semester 3: 13 units, 48 grade points
Total: 42 units, 157 grade points
CGPA = 157 ÷ 42 = 3.74 (Second Class Upper)

Use our NOUN CGPA Calculator for automatic calculation!

Class of Degree Requirements

Understanding Degree Classifications

Your final CGPA determines your class of degree at graduation:

First Class Honours (4.50 - 5.00)

CGPA Range: 4.50 - 5.00 Average Grade Required: Between A and B

What It Means:

Highest academic achievement
Exceptional performance throughout
Elite student category

Benefits:

Automatic admission to postgraduate programs
Scholarship opportunities
Premium job prospects
Academic prestige

How to Achieve:

Aim for minimum 70% in all courses
Target all A's and few B's
Retake any course with C or below
Consistently excellent TMA scores

Example CGPA Calculation:

120 credit units total
Need minimum 540 grade points
Average grade point: 4.5 per unit
Translation: Mostly A grades, few B grades

Second Class Upper (3.50 - 4.49)

CGPA Range: 3.50 - 4.49 Average Grade Required: B (with some A's and C's)

What It Means:

Very good academic performance
Above-average student
Competitive for jobs and further studies

Benefits:

Qualifies for most postgraduate programs
Good employment prospects
Scholarship eligibility (many programs)
Respectable academic standing

How to Achieve:

Aim for 60-75% in most courses
Mix of A's and B's acceptable
Limit C grades
Avoid D, E, F grades

Example:

120 credit units
Need 420-539 grade points
Average: 3.5-4.4 points per unit

Second Class Lower (2.50 - 3.49)

CGPA Range: 2.50 - 3.49 Average Grade Required: C (with some B's and D's)

What It Means:

Average academic performance
Acceptable pass
Room for improvement

Limitations:

Some postgraduate programs won't accept
Fewer scholarship opportunities
May need work experience for premium jobs

How to Improve:

Retake courses with low grades
Focus on difficult courses
Improve study habits
Use available resources

Third Class Honours (1.50 - 2.49)

CGPA Range: 1.50 - 2.49 Average Grade Required: Mostly C's and D's

What It Means:

Below-average performance
Minimum acceptable standard
Limited academic opportunities

Consequences:

Most postgraduate programs won't accept
Reduced job prospects
No scholarship eligibility
May need additional certifications

Recovery Options:

Focus on professional certifications
Gain work experience
Consider part-time postgraduate after work experience

Pass (1.00 - 1.49)

CGPA Range: 1.00 - 1.49 Average Grade Required: Many D grades

What It Means:

Barely passed degree requirements
Minimum graduation standard
Significant limitations

Limitations:

No postgraduate admission
Limited job opportunities
No honours classification
Certificate shows "Pass" only

Tips to Excel in NOUN's Grading System

Strategy 1: Master the CA Component (30%)

Why CA Matters:

Guaranteed marks before exam
More controllable than exam performance
Can secure 25-30 marks easily

How to Maximize CA:

TMAs (10 marks):

Start assignments immediately when released
Use course materials for references
Original answers (no copy-paste)
Proofread before submission
Submit 2-3 days before deadline

Online Participation (10 marks):

Join course forums weekly
Post meaningful contributions
Ask and answer questions
Attend virtual sessions

Mid-Term (10 marks):

Prepare like mini-exam
Review course outline
Practice similar questions

Target: 24-28/30 CA score

Strategy 2: Excel in Final Exams (70%)

Preparation Timeline:

8 Weeks Before:

Download all course materials
Create study schedule
Join study group

4 Weeks Before:

Intensive reading
Practice with past questions
Attend revision classes

1 Week Before:

Review notes
Focus on weak topics
Mock exam practice

Exam Day:

Arrive early
Read instructions carefully
Time management (allocate minutes per question)
Answer confidently

Target: 50-60/70 exam score

Strategy 3: Focus on High-Credit Courses

Not all courses affect your CGPA equally:

High-Impact Courses (4 credit units):

One grade point difference = 4 grade points
Example: Getting A (5 points) vs. B (4 points)
- A: 4 × 5 = 20 grade points
- B: 4 × 4 = 16 grade points
- Difference: 4 grade points

Strategy:

Prioritize studying 4-unit courses
Ensure you don't fail high-credit courses
Retake failed high-credit courses first

Strategy 4: Retake Strategically

When to Retake:

Any E or F grade (compulsory)
D grades (if targeting First or Second Upper)
C grades (only if targeting First Class)

Retake Impact Example:

Original:

Course: ACC301 (4 units)
First attempt: 52% (Grade C, 3 points)
Grade points: 4 × 3 = 12

After Retake:

Second attempt: 72% (Grade A, 5 points)
Grade points: 4 × 5 = 20
Improvement: +8 grade points

Impact on CGPA:

If you have 120 total units
8 points ÷ 120 = 0.067 CGPA increase
Could move you from 3.48 to 3.55 (Second Lower to Second Upper!)

Strategy 5: Use Available Tools

NOUN CGPA Calculator:

Track progress every semester
Project future CGPA
Identify courses to retake → Use Calculator

Past Questions:

Understand exam format
Practice time management
Identify frequent topics → Access Past Questions

Course Materials:

Study from correct sources
Free downloads
No need to buy physical copies → Download Materials

Common Grading System Questions

Q: Can I improve my CGPA after graduation? A: No. CGPA is final at graduation. Plan improvements during your program.

Q: If I retake a course, which grade counts? A: The better grade replaces the lower one in CGPA calculation. Both attempts appear on transcript.

Q: Do all courses count toward CGPA? A: Only courses with grades D and above (45%+) count. E and F don't contribute.

Q: What's the difference between GPA and CGPA? A: GPA is one semester average. CGPA is cumulative average of all semesters.

Q: Can I graduate with CGPA below 1.00? A: No. Minimum CGPA for graduation is 1.00.

Q: How many times can I retake a course? A: Unlimited, but consult academic advisor if failing repeatedly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the NOUN grading system? A: NOUN uses a 5-point grading system where scores are converted to letter grades (A-F) and grade points (5-0). A=5 points (70-100%), B=4 points (60-69%), C=3 points (50-59%), D=2 points (45-49%), E=1 point (40-44%), F=0 points (0-39%).

Q: How does NOUN calculate final grades? A: Final grade = Continuous Assessment (30%) + Final Examination (70%). CA includes TMAs, online participation, and mid-term assessments.

Q: What grade do I need to pass a course at NOUN? A: Minimum passing grade is D (45-49%). Grades E and F are failures requiring retake.

Q: How is CGPA calculated at NOUN? A: CGPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Units. Use our CGPA calculator for automatic calculation.

Q: What CGPA is required for First Class at NOUN? A: First Class requires CGPA between 4.50 and 5.00. This means maintaining average grades between A and B throughout your program.

Q: Can I improve my class of degree at NOUN? A: Yes, by retaking courses with low grades (C, D, or failed courses). The new grade replaces the old one in CGPA calculation.

Q: Does NOUN's grading system differ from other Nigerian universities? A: No, NOUN uses the standard 5-point scale used by most Nigerian universities, ensuring compatibility for transfers and further studies.

Q: What happens if I fail a course at NOUN? A: Failed courses (E or F) don't count toward your CGPA. You must re-register and retake them. The new passing grade replaces the failure.

Your Next Steps

Track Your Academic Performance

Don't wait until graduation to know your standing:

Calculate CGPA: Use our NOUN CGPA Calculator
Set Target: Decide on desired class of degree
Plan Strategy: Identify courses to retake or focus areas
Monitor Progress: Recalculate after each semester

→ Calculate Your CGPA Now

Additional Resources

Complete Student Guide: NOUN Student Success Guide
Fee Calculator: Calculate Your School Fees
Past Questions: Practice Exam Questions
Course Materials: Download Free E-Courseware
Study Centres: Find Centres Near You

Conclusion: Master the System, Excel Academically

Understanding the NOUN grading system is fundamental to academic success at the National Open University of Nigeria. By knowing how scores convert to grades, grades to grade points, and grade points to CGPA, you can strategically plan your path to your desired class of degree.

Key Takeaways: ✅ NOUN uses 5-point scale: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1, F=0 ✅ Final score = CA (30%) + Exam (70%) ✅ Only D and above contribute to CGPA ✅ First Class requires CGPA 4.50-5.00 ✅ Retaking courses can improve your CGPA

Remember: Your class of degree affects job prospects, postgraduate admission, and professional opportunities. Start tracking your CGPA today and work toward your target!

Ready to calculate your CGPA? Use Free NOUN CGPA Calculator →

Sources

NOUN Academic Regulations - Official grading policies and degree requirements
NOUN Student Handbook 2024/2025 - Comprehensive academic guidelines
NOUN Examination Guidelines - Assessment and grading procedures
NUC Academic Standards - Nigerian university grading benchmarks
NOUN Course Registration Guide - Credit units and course information

Last Updated: December 3, 2025 Category: Academic Policies Tags: NOUN grading system, GPA calculation, class of degree, CGPA, academic performance

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