Key Takeaway
Despite the ongoing debate about whether or not grades should be used, they are still important in high school. While they don’t represent the whole picture of who you are, they do play a role in what classes you’re placed in, what colleges accept you, and how much financial aid you may receive. If you receive a low grade, don’t let it affect your confidence—know that there are always ways to raise your overall grade. Try your best, ask for help, and utilize free resources.
We all know how satisfying it is when we earn a good grade after working so hard to get it. But what does it mean when you get an exam (or two) back and your grade is less than ideal? Besides affecting your self-esteem, can it bring your overall grade or GPA down? What does that mean for colleges?
Here’s the good news—your grades don’t define you. But, they do matter. “How much do they matter,” you ask? Great question, let’s get into it.
The History of Grading
The first official record of a grading system surfaces in 1785 at Yale, where seniors were graded into four categories. Grades then became scale-based in the early 1900s, with a more unified system across universities. By the 1940s, the A-F grading system emerged as the dominant grading scale, along with the 4.0 GPA and 100 percent system. This is the one many of us are familiar with today.
What Are Grades?
Grades reflect your overall progress in a class. The grading system was designed to help measure and evaluate the progress of students in a unified way across the country. In a sense, they tell teachers, parents, and students what their strengths are and areas that need improving. You’ll typically see grades represented alphabetically (A – F) or numerically (like 90%, 75%, etc.)
How Much Do Grades Really Matter?
Since grading has been around, there has been a debate surrounding their merit. But even with this ongoing debate among educators, parents, and students, grades still matter quite a bit. However, that doesn’t mean they have to define you or even your intelligence.
They simply give a good reference point for your skills. The most important thing is that you try your best. You don’t necessarily have to earn straight A’s or a 4.0, but they are used by schools and colleges to determine where you should be placed in classes and whether or not you’re accepted by the college.
Why Are Grades Important?
It’s important to understand why grades are important, from what classes you’ll be placed in, to what colleges accept you, and even how much financial aid you may receive.
- Placement in AP Classes: Your grades can dictate the classes you’re placed in and the opportunities you have for electives in high school. If your grades are lower, you likely won’t be able to take many AP or college-level courses throughout high school.
- College Admissions: If you are trying to get into a competitive college, lower grades and a lack of high-level courses could very well impact your chances of getting that acceptance letter. This, in turn, could affect your career options, major, and other aspects of your life and education.
- Scholarships and Grants: Many scholarships and grants are merit-based, requiring a certain GPA for eligibility. If your GPA is lower than you’re capable of, you could miss out on some quick and easy cash for college!
Grades Do Become More Important as Time Goes On
It’s worth noting that grades become more important as you continue your education. While earning a C in your 3rd-grade math class won’t have a major impact on your high school experience, the grades you earn later on can affect where you are placed in high school.
For example, getting B’s and A’s in 5th grade can lead to advanced or honors classes in middle school, and then advanced classes in high school. Higher grades in high school can open the door to more possibilities after graduation.
The Negative Impact of Grades
Where grades are seen as a reflection of academic abilities and play a role in the college admission process, many have argued against grades for years for quite a few reasons:
- They’re Subjective and Inconsistent: Grading can vary from teacher to teacher and from school to school. Some students may also excel in ways that aren’t captured by standard grading systems.
- They Place Immense Stress and Pressure on Students: Grades can impact confidence and stress levels, especially those who place too much emphasis on grades. This low self-esteem can impact students not just academically, but personally.
- They Neglect Other Skills: Many believe that grades may not accurately reflect a student’s full potential, as they only focus on academic performance and not other skills. For this reason, many colleges focus on the whole picture of who a student is, rather than just grades when looking at applications.
How Can You Raise Your Grades?
All students learn and test differently – and all teachers teach differently. You might do well in 9th-grade English, but be struggling in 11th grade. Grades can sometimes give a false picture of where your skills lie.
However, that doesn’t mean that because you’re failing to flourish in your 10th-grade math class, you should just accept that the class’s approach doesn’t work for you and give up. There are plenty of ways you can improve your skills and raise your grades outside the classroom.
Studying is a good start, but you can also take advantage of other resources and approaches including:
- Finding a study group with classmates or friends
- Working with a tutor
- Asking your parents for help
- Using free online resources such as videos on YouTube or Khan Academy
- Be more active in class
- Ask the teacher for assistance
- Take breaks during your studying
If you are having a hard time in the classroom and the teacher isn’t offering much help, talk to your guidance counselor as soon as possible for advice. Waiting can mean your grade might not be salvaged.
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Are There Other Ways To Measure Academic Success?
Absolutely! In recent years, many schools have started to adopt alternative ways to measure success in the classroom. Some teachers may assign project-based assessments that focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, while others may use portfolios that compile a student’s best work over time. These alternative ways are designed to present a holistic view of a student’s capabilities, including both academic and creative achievements.
Will My Grades Matter in College?
Yes! Your grades will still matter in college. For one, if your grades are consistently lower and not meeting the academic standards of the school, you may be put on a probationary period. If your grades do not improve the following semester, you could even be dismissed from school.
Your grades do not represent the whole picture of you – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. They can influence your class, college, scholarship, and career opportunities. Always try your best and don’t be afraid to ask for help from teachers, counselors, or peers. Focus on your personal growth rather than just the final grade. It’s important to find a balance between striving for good grades and maintaining a healthy mindset about your academic performance.
Wondering which colleges you might have the highest chance of getting accepted to? You can use College Raptor’s College Match tool to see your estimated admissions chances at a particular college!
