Is 60% an F or D?
A letter grade of a D is technically considered passing because it not a failure. A D is any percentage between 60-69%, whereas a failure occurs below 60%. Even though a D is a passing grade, it's barely passing. As such, it is not looked at favorably.
A letter grade of a D is technically considered passing because it not a failure. A D is any percentage between 60-69%, whereas a failure occurs below 60%. Even though a D is a passing grade, it's barely passing. As such, it is not looked at favorably.
Letter Grade | Percentage | GPA |
---|---|---|
B | 80–89% | 3.0 |
C | 70–79% | 2.0 |
D | 60–69% | 1.0 |
F | 0–59% | 0.0 |
An F letter grade is equivalent to a 0.0 GPA, or Grade Point Average, on a 4.0 GPA scale, and a percentage grade of 65 or below.
Percent | Letter Grade |
---|---|
67 - 69 | D+ |
63 - 66 | D |
60 - 62 | D- |
< 60 | F |
You'll usually need to receive a letter grade between A and D to pass a class, often the numerical equivalent of 65 percent or higher. Receiving an F—which stands for “fail”—indicates that you did not pass the class. The cutoff to receive an F is usually 64 percent.
At most schools, a D is the lowest passing grade. That means students who earn a D or higher receive credit for the course.
Grade | Quality Points PER CREDIT |
---|---|
C- | 1.7 |
D+ | 1.3 |
D | 1.0 |
F or WF | 0.0 |
On a 4.0 scale, an A equals 4.0, a B equals 3.0, a C equals 2.0, a D equals 1.0, and an F equals 0.0. However, some high schools report student GPAs on a 5.0 scale instead. When schools use a 5.0 scale, a 4.5 GPA on a 5.0 scale is the equivalent of a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Depending on the grading scale of a college or university, anything below 70% is considered failed. However, there are colleges and universities that have different standards and designate grades below 60% as failing.
How good is a 4.0 GPA?
A 4.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) is typically considered a perfect or straight-A average. Since it represents the highest possible grade point average, a 4.0 GPA would place you at the top of your class in terms of academic achievement.
A 1.1 Grade Point Average (GPA) from a possible 4.0 total GPA is equal to a 'D' letter grade.

It indicates that you've gotten grades between B+ and B- for the majority of your classes, giving you a percentile between 83% and 86%. A 3.0 GPA is considered a straight “B” average and makes you a competitive applicant for a number of colleges and universities.
For your high school, a D is passing. You can graduate with Ds, but you cannot go to college with Ds. Colleges will give you ZERO credit for the class, just like you got an F. This is true no matter what the class is, even if it is not a required class.
The grades of A, B, C, D and P are passing grades. Grades of F and U are failing grades.
Grade | Scale | Description |
---|---|---|
75 – 89.99 | B | Very good |
65 – 74.99 | C | Good |
55 – 64.99 | D | Acceptable |
0–54.99 | F | Fail |
At most colleges, a final grade below 60% qualifies as a failing grade. Depending on your college's GPA scale, that can mean anything below a 1.0 or 0.7 GPA counts as a failed class.
Failing a class in college happens to even the best of students, and it's unrealistic to expect that you'll be able to do everything perfectly in college. You messed up. You failed a class. But in most cases, you probably didn't ruin your life or put yourself in some kind of disastrous situation.
Most high school students know that a D in an academic class is a passing grade. That means they get 5 credits towards high school graduation and the course has satisfied the particular category (English, math, etc.).
Letter Grade | Grade Points Per Credit |
---|---|
D+ | 1.3 |
D | 1.0 |
D- | 0.7 |
F | 0.0 |
Is D bad in college?
Technically, a 'D' is passing, but it's a sort of a we-don't-really-mean-it pass. A grudging pass, or perhaps a mercy pass. Or, it can be an “I don't ordinarily fail students, but you're testing my faith” pass. D's make some level of sense if you believe that a 'C' is an average grade.
The best way to gauge how colleges might look at your grades is just to look at your GPA vs. average GPAs for that school. As a rule of thumb, one bad grade won't tank your chances in most places, though a D might substantially lower your GPA because it's adding such a low number to the average.
One C in your transcript will not greatly impact your GPA and if it is a rare occurrence some colleges will just consider it a fluke. Colleges will probably look past it if that is the only class you've ever really struggled with as reflected per your grades.
The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 4.0 is far above average. At many schools, a 4.0 is the absolute highest GPA you can earn.
One B will not hurt your chances, especially because it was in a rigorous AP class. Your B will hardly make a dent in your GPA, and assuming that will be your only B by graduation, your GPA will be in the high 90th percentile even at the most competitive schools.
Letter Grade | Percent Grade | 4.0 Scale |
---|---|---|
C+ | 77-79 | 2.3 |
C | 73-76 | 2.0 |
C- | 70-72 | 1.7 |
D+ | 67-69 | 1.3 |
Bad grades? It happens. But one poor test, month, or quarter doesn't have to sink your GPA. You can still end the semester where you want to be—if you take action now.
The university will calculate your GPA using the new grade, and the failing grade will remain on your transcript with a note that you replaced the grade.
As such, a fail can really cause your GPA to plummet. While your college GPA may not be of utmost importance if you plan to enter the workforce directly upon graduation, it is a big deal for those wanting to go to graduate school.
A transcript is a record of courses taken and grades. You can't remove something from the record. If you can demonstrate inappropriate grading, you could potentially get the grade changed (at an American college or university). There is indeed a permanent record, and you can't do much.
Is a 60 or a 70 failing?
Depending on the grading scale of a college or university, anything below 70% is considered failed. However, there are colleges and universities that have different standards and designate grades below 60% as failing.
The 60% passing mark remains.
Technically, a D+ is a passing grade, but many institutions will not accept that grade for certain degrees.
C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle. C is anywhere between 70% and 79% D - this is still a passing grade, and it's between 59% and 69% F - this is a failing grade.
Percentage | Letter Grade | Grade Points |
---|---|---|
67 – 69.9 Percent | D+ | 1.3 |
64 – 66.9 Percent | D | 1.0 |
60 – 63.9 Percent | D- | 0.7 |
0 – 59.9 Percent | F | 0.0 |
Percentage | Letter Grade |
---|---|
98-100 | A+ |
63-66 | D |
60-62 | D- |
<60 | F |