Report cards use a mix of marks, percentages and grades, and the rules vary between boards, schools and classes. Many parents find this confusing. A clear explanation, shared at the start of the session, prevents many questions on results day.
Always follow the latest guidelines of your board. The explanation below covers general concepts.
Marks
Marks are the raw score a student gets out of the maximum, for example 42 out of 50. Marks are the most precise measure, but they are hard to compare across subjects with different maximum marks.
Percentage
The percentage converts marks to a common scale out of 100:
Percentage = (marks obtained ÷ maximum marks) × 100
For example, 42 out of 50 is 84%. Percentages make it easy to compare subjects and exams.
Grades
A grade is a band of percentages represented by a letter, such as A1, A2, B1 and so on. Grades reduce pressure on small differences in marks; a student with 91% and one with 95% may receive the same grade.
Each school or board defines its own grading scale. Share yours with parents in a simple table.
Grade points
Some systems assign a grade point to each grade, which can be averaged to give an overall indicator. If your school uses grade points, explain how they are calculated.
Co-scholastic areas
Many report cards also assess areas like art, physical education, discipline and work habits, often on a simple scale. These are an important part of a child's overall development.
Explaining report cards to parents
- Share the grading scale at the start of the year
- Show an example report card with explanations of each section
- Explain promotion criteria clearly
- Avoid jargon in teacher remarks; be specific about strengths and areas to improve
- Hold PTMs soon after results so parents can ask questions
How school software helps
When the grading scale is set up in your school management system, grades and percentages are calculated automatically and consistently for every student. Parents can view report cards online, along with the grading key.
Summary
Marks show the score, percentages make it comparable, and grades group results into bands. Explaining these clearly helps parents focus on what matters: their child's progress.
Ready to make this part of your school simpler? Talk to the Class Command team and get a free, no-obligation walkthrough.