Examinations and Grades
6.2.1 Grading Policy
Effective January 1, 2003, Athabasca University adopted the province-wide alpha/4.0 grading system to report undergraduate final grades. Courses with start dates of January 1, 2003, and later use an alpha grading scale. For courses with start dates before January 1, 2003, the percentage grading scale is used.
For individual courses, the alpha scale uses letter grades ranging from A+ through F to reflect a student’s performance and knowledge of the materials covered. Overall academic performance is reported using the 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) scale. A grade point is a value between 0 and 4.00 that is assigned to a grade (alpha or percentage). The grade-point average is a weighted average of all the courses a student has taken with Athabasca University.
The passing grade for Athabasca University undergraduate courses taken before December 31, 2002, is 50 per cent unless stipulated otherwise in the course outline/syllabus. For courses started January 1, 2003, and later, the passing grade is the equivalent to a D unless stipulated otherwise in the course outline/syllabus.
6.2.1.1 Grade-Point Average
A grade-point average is calculated for all Athabasca University undergraduate transcripts. All courses listed on your transcript have a grade and are included in the cumulative grade-point average calculation.
For each course taken, the transcript will display the course grade (percentage or alpha) as well as its corresponding 4-point grade value. All failing grades, excluding WF (Withdrawal Failure) and U (Failure: in courses using pass/fail grade mode), are calculated into the cumulative average. For courses started before December 31, 2002, the actual percentage grade earned by a student for a failed course is also shown on the transcript. For courses started before September 1989, the passing grade is 60 per cent unless stipulated otherwise. Grades for courses using the pass/fail grade mode are not included in the GPA calculation.
6.2.1.2 Notification of Marks and Grades
The marks for your assignments and examinations should be available to you approximately five to seven business days after Athabasca University receives them from the marker. Unofficial final grades should be available 10 business days after Athabasca University receives the marks from your last assignment or examination. Neither timeline includes mailing times.
For each course you complete, the Office of the Registrar will provide a statement of the final grade that you achieved and the credits you earned.
If you are transferring your courses to another institution, please determine the receiving institution’s deadlines and ensure you allow adequate time for your grades to be processed and sent.
6.2.1.3 Questions Regarding Marks
Questions about your midterm marks may be directed to your Academic Centre or tutor. You must identify yourself before University staff will release unofficial marks or grades over the telephone. Marks and grades released over the telephone have no official standing.
The Office of the Registrar provides statements of your composite grade (final grade) achieved in courses and the credits earned for each course completed. Your course composite grade cannot be calculated until all the course requirements (e.g., labs, assignments, essays, tests, quizzes, and examinations) have been completed, submitted, and marked.
We recommend that you write your examination and complete and submit all your assignments at least four to six weeks before the date your final grade is required.
If you are transferring your courses to another institution, please ask about the receiving institution’s deadlines and ensure that you allow adequate time for your grades to be processed and sent.
6.2.1.5 Incomplete Course Work
Before December 31, 2002, students who were unable to complete a course by the course contract end date and did not request a course extension or a course withdrawal were awarded a grade of 0F (Zero Failure).
After January 1, 2003, students who are unable to complete their course by the course contract end date and do not request a course extension or a course withdrawal are awarded a grade of F (Failure) or U (Failure: for courses using pass/fail grade mode).
For courses that have mandatory components (e.g., quizzes, assignments, or minimum grades on all assignments or quizzes), these components must be completed to pass the course. A mark of zero on such a component may result in a failing grade being assigned to the course. You are strongly advised to read the course syllabus carefully.
Some courses, especially those with lab components, are offered only at specific times of the year and are exempt from this policy. For more information, contact the Academic Centre that offers the course.
Information effective Sept. 1, 2010 to Aug. 31, 2011.
Updated December 09, 2011
