Quick Answer
Brazilian universities primarily use a 0–10 numeric scale, where 10 is the highest grade and the minimum passing grade varies by institution — typically 5.0 at most institutions, 6.0 at many federal universities, and 7.0 at some private and graduate programs.
The qualitative descriptors used are: Excelente (Excellent) = 9.0–10.0, Bom (Good) = 7.0–8.9, Regular (Satisfactory) = 5.0–6.9, and Insuficiente (Fail) = below 5.0. However, because there is no nationally standardized grading system, individual institutions have significant autonomy over grading implementation, and the exact boundaries may vary.
Critical distinction: Brazil does not have a single nationally standardized grading scale across all universities. The Ministry of Education (MEC) regulates higher education quality but individual institutions retain autonomy over grading implementation. Grades are expressed as decimal numbers between 0.0 and 10.0, often rounded to the nearest tenth. Some institutions also use letter grades (Conceito system: A, B, C, D, F) alongside the numeric scale.
No official Brazil-to-US GPA conversion exists — US universities and credential evaluators like WES convert grades individually. Simple linear conversion (dividing by 2.5) is not recommended as it undervalues academic achievements in Brazil due to the fairly severe grading culture.
Brazilian Grading Scale at a Glance
- Primary system: 0–10 numeric scale — 10 is the highest, 0 is the lowest
- Minimum passing grade varies: 5.0 (most institutions), 6.0 (many federal universities), 7.0 (some private/graduate programs)
- Qualitative descriptors: Excelente (9.0–10.0), Bom (7.0–8.9), Regular (5.0–6.9), Insuficiente (below 5.0)
- No national standard: Each institution sets its own grading policies and passing thresholds
- Letter grade (Conceito) system: Some universities use A (Excelente), B (Bom), C (Regular), D (Insuficiente), F (Reprovado)
- Grading is fairly severe: Top grades are awarded to relatively few students, and failure rates can be high
- Coeficiente de Rendimento (CR): The weighted average equivalent to GPA, calculated across all courses
- Attendance requirement: Typically 70–75% minimum attendance required to pass
Passing Thresholds
Conceito (Letter Grade) System
Grade Lookup Tool
Why No Single GPA Number
A Real US Conversion Example
WES Conversion
Reporting Your GPA
FAQs
Understanding the Brazilian 0–10 Scale
Brazilian universities primarily use a 0–10 numeric scale for grading. Grades are expressed as decimal numbers between 0.0 and 10.0, often rounded to the nearest tenth. This scale is the dominant grading format across Brazilian higher education, used by over 2,600 institutions enrolling more than 9 million students.
The most common qualitative descriptors used in Brazilian higher education are:
| Brazilian Grade (0–10) | Portuguese | English | Approx. US GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 – 10.0 | Excelente | Excellent | 4.0 |
| 7.0 – 8.9 | Bom | Good | 3.0 – 3.7 |
| 5.0 – 6.9 | Regular | Satisfactory / Pass | 2.0 – 2.7 |
| 0.0 – 4.9 | Insuficiente | Fail | 0.0 |
The descriptor bands above reflect common usage across Brazilian universities, but individual institutions may use slightly different cutoffs. Some institutions use a four-tier system (Excelente, Bom, Regular, Insuficiente) while others use five-tier systems with additional distinctions like “Muito Bom” (Very Good).
Good to know: Brazilian academic culture is characterized by fairly severe grading — top grades (9.0–10.0) are awarded to relatively few students, and failure rates in a given course can be high. This means a grade of 8.0 represents genuinely strong performance, and 9.0+ is exceptional. International evaluators familiar with Brazilian academic standards account for this grading conservatism.
Minimum Passing Grades: Institutional Variations
One of the most important distinctions in the Brazilian grading system is that there is no single national minimum passing grade. The passing threshold varies significantly by institution and program level:
1. 5.0 – Minimum Passing Grade (Most Common)
At most Brazilian institutions, including Universidade de São Paulo (USP) for undergraduate programs and PUC-Rio for undergraduate students, the minimum passing grade is 5.0. Students must also meet a minimum attendance requirement — typically 70% of classes at USP.
2. 6.0 – Minimum Passing Grade (Federal Universities)
Many federal universities — including Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) and PUC-Rio graduate programs — use 6.0 as the minimum passing grade. At UFSC, students must obtain a final average grade equal to or greater than 6.0 and maintain minimum attendance of 75%.
3. 7.0 – Higher Passing Threshold
Some institutions use 7.0 as the minimum passing grade, particularly for graduate programs and certain private institutions. At Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), a minimum final average grade of 7.0 is required for satisfactory work, though students with 4.0–6.9 may take a makeup examination.
4. Makeup Examinations
Many Brazilian universities offer makeup examinations (exame final) for students who have not achieved the minimum passing grade. For example, at UFC, students who achieve an average grade equal to or higher than 4.0 but below 7.0 are eligible for a makeup examination, after which a new minimum average grade of 5.0 is considered sufficient for course completion.
📌 Important: Because Brazil does not have a nationally standardized passing threshold, you must check your specific university’s grading policy on your transcript or student handbook. The Coeficiente de Rendimento (CR) on your transcript is the weighted average equivalent to GPA and should be the primary number used for international applications.
The Conceito (Letter Grade) System
A smaller number of Brazilian institutions — particularly private universities and some graduate programs — use a Conceito (letter grade) system alongside or instead of the numeric scale. Some programs blend both formats, using the numeric scale for coursework and Conceito grades for thesis evaluation or final assessments.
The Conceito system used at the University of São Paulo (USP) graduate programs includes:
| Conceito | Description | Numeric Equivalent (0–10) | Approx. US GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Excelente (Excellent) | 9.0 – 10.0 | 4.0 |
| B | Bom (Good) | 7.0 – 8.9 | 3.0 – 3.7 |
| C | Regular (Satisfactory) | 5.0 – 6.9 | 2.0 – 2.7 |
| R | Reprovado (Fail) | Below 5.0 | 0.0 |
Source: University of São Paulo Graduate Programs grading system.
At PUC-Rio, the Conceito system for postgraduate programs uses:
| Conceito | Numeric Range |
|---|---|
| A (Excelente) | 9.0 – 10.0 |
| B (Bom) | 8.0 – 8.9 |
| C (Regular) | 6.0 – 7.9 |
| D (Insuficiente) | 0.0 – 5.9 |
Source: PUC-Rio postgraduate grading system.
At PUC-Rio, students must achieve a final grade of at least 6.0 and maintain attendance of at least two-thirds of classes to pass a course.
Brazil Grade Lookup Tool
This tool shows your grade’s Brazilian descriptor and an approximate US GPA equivalent based on commonly accepted conversion standards. It does not generate an official GPA — see the sections below on why that number can’t be produced by a simple formula, and how to get an official conversion.
Why There’s No Single “Correct” US GPA Number
1. No National Standardized Grading System
Brazil does not have a single nationally standardized grading scale across all universities. The Ministry of Education (MEC) regulates higher education quality but individual institutions retain autonomy over grading implementation. The minimum passing grade varies — 5.0, 6.0, or 7.0 depending on the institution.
2. No Official Brazil-to-US Conversion Authority
There is no official Brazil-to-US GPA formula published by the Brazilian government (MEC), the US Department of Education, or any bilateral agreement. The Ministry of Education provides guidelines for domestic grading but does not provide conversion to foreign systems.
3. Simple Linear Conversion Is Not Recommended
A common mistake is trying to convert a Brazilian grade to US GPA using a simple formula like (Brazilian Grade ÷ 10) × 4 or dividing by 2.5. This approach undervalues academic achievements in Brazil due to the fairly severe grading culture, where top grades are awarded to relatively few students and failure rates can be high.
4. Institution-Specific Charts Vary
Some US universities publish their own conversion charts for Brazilian grades. These are real and usable as reference points, but they apply to that institution’s own grading system — not to every US institution.
Real US Conversion Examples
Different sources publish conversion charts for Brazilian grades. Here are three examples — planning references only, not universal standards:
Example 1: PUC-Rio to US Grade Conversion
| Brazilian Grade | US Grade Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 10 | A+ |
| 9.5 | A |
| 9.0 | A- |
| 8.5 | B+ |
| 8.0 | B |
| 7.5 | B- |
| 7.0 | C+ |
| 6.5 | C |
| 6.0 | C- |
| 5.5 | D+ |
| 5.0 | D |
| Below 5.0 | F |
Source: PUC-Rio Brazilian Grade to US Equivalent conversion table.
Example 2: SmartCGPA Conversion Reference
| Brazilian Grade | Descriptor | US GPA | US Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 – 10.0 | Excelente | 4.0 | A |
| 8.5 – 8.9 | Otimo | 3.7 | A- |
| 8.0 – 8.4 | Bom Superior | 3.3 | B+ |
| 7.5 – 7.9 | Bom | 3.0 | B |
| 7.0 – 7.4 | Satisfatorio Superior | 2.7 | B- |
| 6.5 – 6.9 | Satisfatorio | 2.3 | C+ |
| 6.0 – 6.4 | Regular | 2.0 | C |
| Below 6.0 | Insuficiente | 0.0 | F |
Source: SmartCGPA Brazil GPA Converter.
Example 3: GradeAtlas Conversion Reference
| Brazilian Grade | Descriptor | Planning GPA |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 – 10.0 | SS (Superior) | 4.0 (A) |
| 7.0 – 8.9 | MS (Médio Superior) | 3.0 – 3.9 (B) |
| 5.0 – 6.9 | MM (Médio) | 2.0 – 2.9 (C) |
| 3.0 – 4.9 | MI (Médio Inferior) | 1.0 – 1.9 (D) |
| 0.0 – 2.9 | II (Inferior) | 0.0 (F) |
Source: GradeAtlas Brazil Grading System.
How WES Converts Brazilian Grades
Most US universities, scholarship programs, and immigration processes that require a numeric GPA from a Brazilian transcript point applicants to a NACES-accredited credential evaluation service, most commonly World Education Services (WES). WES evaluates Brazilian credentials by converting each grade individually and weighting the results by credit hours to produce a final GPA.
Key point: WES does not simply copy your university GPA. They re-evaluate based on academic rigor, grading scale, and institutional standards. For Brazilian transcripts, WES considers that the grading scale goes from 0 to 10, with 6 as the minimum passing grade in many institutions, and that 7–8.9 is often considered a “B” and 9–10 considered an “A”.
- Report type: A “Course-by-Course” evaluation — not a basic “Document-by-Document” report — is what produces a converted GPA. Confirm which type your target program requires.
- WES uses the grading scale on your official transcript — whether numeric (0–10) or Conceito (letter grades) — and converts each grade individually.
- Institutional recognition: MEC accreditation and recognition status are primary criteria in WES evaluation.
- Severe grading adjustment: WES evaluators familiar with Brazilian academic standards account for the severe grading culture when reviewing Brazilian transcripts.
- Cost and timeline change over time — check wes.org directly for current pricing rather than relying on a fixed figure.
- Apostille/authentication: Brazil is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so Brazilian academic documents can generally be apostilled if a program requires authenticated copies.
- The result from any pre-evaluation calculator, including the one on this page, is a planning estimate only — not an official evaluation.
How to Report Your Brazilian GPA on US Applications
1. Report Your Original Grades First
Don’t self-convert to a 4.0 scale unless the application specifically asks for a US-equivalent GPA. Report your grades exactly as they appear on your transcript — including the grading scale used (0–10 numeric or Conceito letter grades).
2. Include Your Grading Scale Explanation
Brazilian transcripts (histórico escolar) often include the grading scale key on the academic record. Include this key or the official grading scale explanation wherever the application allows supporting documents. Clearly indicate your institution’s minimum passing grade (5.0, 6.0, or 7.0) as this varies significantly.
3. Get a Formal Evaluation If Required
Many US graduate programs and scholarships — including some competitive, merit-based ones — require a WES or equivalent NACES-member evaluation rather than a self-reported conversion. Submit sealed official transcripts and include grading scale documentation.
4. Don’t Round Up
If your evaluated GPA falls in a range, report the figure your evaluator actually gives you — not the top of the band.
Converting other grading systems? See these guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my Brazilian grade to a single, official US GPA number?
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Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education, GPA systems, and study-abroad guidance for international students.Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.