Grading systems in Denmark
The 7-point grading scale
The grading system used in all State-regulated education as from August 2007 is the 7-point grading scale. The grading scale is compatible with the ECTS-grading scale.
Apart from the 7-point grading scale, pass/fail assessment may also
be used.
02 is the minimum grade for passing an exam.
The student's performance must be assessed according to academic targets set for the specific subject or course (absolute grading method). The relative grading method must not be used.
For more information about the 7-point grading scale and conversion of grades from the grading scale of 00 to 13 (see below) see the executive orders on the grading scale:
In English:
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Ministry of Education Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment – Ministerial Order no. 262 of 20 March 2007, concerning primary and secondary school, short- and medium-cycle higher education etc.
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Ministry of Science Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment (pdf) – Ministerial Order no. 250 of 15 March 2007, concerning university education.
In Danish:
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Bekendtgørelse om karakterskala og anden bedømmelse – Ministry of Education institutions – Retsinformation (BEK nr 262 af 20/03/2007) (in Danish).
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Bekendtgørelse om karakterskala og anden bedømmelse ved universitetsuddannelser – Universities – Retsinformation (BEK nr 250 af 15/03/2007) (in Danish).
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Bekendtgørelse om karakterskala og anden bedømmelse ved visse uddannelsesinstitutioner under Kulturministeriet – Ministry of Culture institutions – Retsinformation (BEK nr. 818 af 01/07/2007)
See also:
The grading scale of 00 to 13
The 00-13 grading scale was used until July 2006 in all upper secondary education and until July 2007 in higher education and vocational education and training.
For conversion of grades to the 7-point grading scale see the Ministerial Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment (Ministry of Education).
The maximum mark of 13 was used very seldom and only for an extraordinary performance. The mark of 6 was the lowest pass mark for examinations where a pass mark was required. The marks awarded had to reflect the achievements in terms of standards set by the institution for the specific programme.
For each assessment according to the scale of 00 to 13, the performance or general proficiency is first placed within the following four groups of marks: 1) excellent (13, 11, 10); 2) average (9, 8, 7); 3) the just acceptable (6); 4) hesitant (5, 03, 00).
Apart from the scale of 00 to 13, bestået/ikke bestået (pass/fail) is used in some cases. In higher education, it is possible to use the assessment of pass/fail in tests forming part of the final examination and which cover up to one-third of the study programme.
In the Folkeskole final examinations, no specific mark is set for the level to pass. Grading takes place according to the above scale is used, except for the grade 6, which is given for "the somewhat hesitant, but more or less satisfactory performance".
In upper secondary examinations, students must achieve an average mark of 6.0 in both course work and the final examinations to pass the leaving examinations.
In higher education, until 1971, institutions used no standard marking scheme. Individual faculties and departments used their own marking scale with explanations given on the transcripts of marks. In 1971, the scale of 00 to 13 was introduced as a standard marking scheme.
See also:
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Order on the Marking Scale and Other Forms of Assessment – concerning the scale of 00 to 13.
Vocational education and training (VET)
In addition to the above-mentioned grading scales, "verbal" grades (including distinctions) are used in connection with some vocational and education training programmes.
