Historical Transcript Legend

Saint Mary’s University has updated its grading system over time to better reflect academic achievement and align with evolving educational standards. As a result, transcripts issued from different time periods may use different grading scales, including variations in letter grades, quality point values and grade descriptors. 

This page outlines the historical transcript legends used during previous grading systems at SMU, with the information provided below and in the attached Saint Mary’s University Historical Transcript Legend (PDF). This information is intended to support individuals who: 

• Received transcripts during previous grading systems and need clarification on letter grade meanings or GPA calculations. 
• Have transcripts spanning multiple grading systems, where academic records may reflect different legends across terms. 
• Are reviewing academic credentials for employment, graduate admissions, or other verification purposes and require context on how grades were recorded. 
• Are part of the new grading system and may need to understand how it differs from prior versions, especially internal comparisons or applications. 

Undergraduate Grading System (Historical)

Letter Grade	Quality Points (pre–1997)	Percentage Equivalents	Quality Points (1997–2019)	Quality Points (2020–2025)	Percentage Equivalents
A+	4.30 *	80-100	4.3	4.3	80-100
A	4	80-100	4	4	80-100
A−	3.67	80-100	3.7	3.7	80-100
B+	3.33	70-79	3.3	3.3	70-79
B	3	70-79	3	3	70-79
B−	2.67	70-79	2.7	2.7	70-79
C+	2.33	60-69	2.3	2.3	60-69
C	2	60-69	2	2	60-69
C−	1.5	60-69	1.7	1.7	60-69
D	1	50-59	1	1	50-59
F	0	0-49	0	0	0-49
P (Pass)	—		—	P (no quality points)
NC (No Cr.)	—		—	0

 Notes:  

• A+ was retroactively assigned 4.30 points back to transcripts from Summer 1988 onward. 
• Pass (P) and No Credit (NC) were introduced in January 2020. 
• The percentage ranges associated with each letter grade were introduced in 1997 and are for reference only (not used in GPA calculations). 

Graduate Grading System (Historical & Current) 

Letter Grade	Quality Points (pre–1994)	Quality Points (1994–2007)	Quality Points (2007–Present)
A+	—	4	4.3
A	4	4	4
A−	—	3.67	3.7
B+	3.5	3.33	3.3
B	3	3	3
B−	—	2.67	2.7
C	2	2	2
F	0	0	0
P (Pass)	—	—	P (no quality points)
NC (No Cr.)	—	—	0

Notes: 

• A+ was introduced in 1994 but increased to 4.30 in the 2007 revision. 
• Descriptors associated with letter grades also changed over time (e.g., “Very Good,” “Exceptional”). 
• Pass (P) and No Credit (NC) notations were added in January 2020. 

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We encourage anyone referencing older transcripts to use the legends provided to interpret grades accurately and with the correct historical context. 

Questions? Concerns? Reach out to student.systems@smu.ca.