The grade point average (GPA) system, which is also used in many American high schools, is a staple of the college grading policy. Many colleges use the 4.0 grading scale, in which a 4.0 is considered a perfect grade point average. For every A a student receives, she gets a 4.0, for every B a 3.0, for every C a 2.0, for every D a 1.0 and for every F a 0. After each semester and before graduation the points are totaled, resulting in the cumulative GPA.
The plus/minus system of grading is another common part of many colleges' grading policies. This system allows for students to receive grades that are more specific to the grade they earned. For example, if a student earned an 89 percent in a class, many grading scales would call this a B and the student would receive a 3.0 for that course. On the plus/minus system, the same student with an 89 percent would receive a slightly higher grade of a B-plus, resulting in a 3.33 score instead of a 3.0.
The pass/fail grading policy is another common system that many colleges have adopted. Students can elect to take a specific course for a grade of either passing or failing. If the student passes the class, which means getting a D-minus or above, her transcript will only read passing and the grade will not count toward her cumulative grade point average. If a student fails the course, however, his transcript will read failing and the score will contribute to his total grade point average.
Many colleges allow their students to appeal a grade if they believe that they were graded unfairly. The appeal process usually requires that students wait a certain amount of days, usually a month, before filing for the appeal. This helps to ensure that emotions are not brought into the case. Then, the student makes his case to the college's academic board, who in turn decides whether or not the student's grade will be upheld.