By Cyril KimbiComparing academic results across countries is harder than it looks, because the scales are not just numerically different — they carry different distributions. A mark that is routine in one system is exceptional in another, and applicants who translate naively either undersell themselves or make a claim that collapses on verification.
The main systems
| System | Scale | Strong result | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 0-4.0 GPA | 3.5+ | 2.0 |
| United Kingdom | Degree classification | First or 2:1 | Third / Pass |
| France, Cameroon (LMD) | 0-20 | 14+ (Bien) | 10 |
| ECTS | A-F, by rank | A or B | E |
| Cameroon (anglophone universities) | Letter grades, CGPA | B+ and above | D or C depending on institution |
Why a mark out of 20 confuses committees
This is the single most important point for Cameroonian and francophone applicants, and it works in your favour once understood.
In the French tradition, 20/20 is essentially unattainable and is not expected to be attained. Marks above 16 are rare, and a 14 is a genuinely strong result. Someone reading that as 70 percent — a middling figure in a percentage system — has misread it substantially.
The consequence: never present a mark out of 20 as a bare number to an audience unfamiliar with it, and never convert it to a percentage yourself. Present it as your institution reports it, with the scale and, where possible, the class rank:
“Licence, 14.6/20, mention Bien — ranked 7th of 118.”
The rank is the part that transcends every scale. A committee that cannot interpret 14.6 understands 7th of 118 immediately.
The British classification
Britain grades on a classification rather than an average, and the bands are narrow at the top:
- First-class honours — 70% and above. In British marking, 70 is excellent, not merely good.
- Upper second (2:1) — 60-69%. The threshold most graduate programmes and employers set.
- Lower second (2:2) — 50-59%.
- Third — 40-49%.
The trap for anyone used to percentage marking: a 75% British result is a high First and genuinely outstanding, while 75% in a system where 90s are common is unremarkable. The number is identical; the meaning is not.
ECTS grades are relative, not absolute
The ECTS grading scale was designed to be rank-based rather than mark-based: A for roughly the top tenth of passing students, B for the next quarter, and so on. It describes where you sit in the cohort rather than what percentage you scored.
This is why ECTS grades transfer more cleanly than raw marks, and it is worth requesting a rank or percentile from your institution if you have one available. Rank is the most portable single fact on any transcript.
What to do on an application
- Report exactly what your transcript says. Same number, same scale, same wording.
- State the scale explicitly — “out of 20”, “cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale”.
- Add rank or percentile if your institution provides it. This is the strongest single addition you can make.
- Never convert your own grades. A self-calculated figure that disagrees with the evaluator’s creates a discrepancy on your file.
- Let the credential evaluator do the mapping. That is what the service exists for, and receiving institutions trust its output rather than yours.
The mechanics of getting the document itself are covered in the transcript guide, and the arithmetic behind the American scale in the GPA guide.
Secondary-school results
At secondary level the picture is simpler, because the qualifications are known quantities. GCE Board Ordinary and Advanced Level results are reported as letter grades and are read directly by admissions offices, which are broadly familiar with the qualification. The Baccalaureat is likewise recognised, with its mention carrying the same meaning as in the French system.
There is nothing to convert at this level. What matters is that the subjects match the entry requirements of the programme, and that the name on the certificate matches every other document exactly.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA is a 2:1?
Broadly 3.3 or above, though the mapping is approximate and institutions apply their own tables.
Is 14/20 a good mark?
Yes. It corresponds to mention Bien and is a genuinely strong result in the French and LMD tradition.
How do I convert my average to a GPA?
You should not. Report it in its original form with the scale, and let a credential evaluation service convert it.
Why is a 70 percent a First in Britain?
Because British marking uses the upper range sparingly. Marks above 80 are uncommon even for excellent work.
What is the most portable thing on my transcript?
Your rank in the cohort. It means the same thing in every system.
