Scores, Marks, Points and Grades
2020-07-04
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1This week, we received a question from Eric, a teacher in China.
2I am at a loss about how to use the following words correctly: score, mark, point, and grade.
3For example, if a student answers my question correctly in class, should I say, "I will give you two points for your success" or should I say, "I will give you two marks?"
4 Another question: How should we call the numeral that we put on students' test papers? Is that a mark? Or grade? Or point? Or score?
5And can I say, "In this test, student A's grade is two points higher than student B's"? Or should I use "mark" or maybe "score" instead of "grade" in this situation?
6Eric, China.
7Dear Eric,
8These are good questions.
9It is easy to mix up the many similar words connected to measuring student performance.
10First, I will give the meaning of each word.
11Then, I will answer your individual questions.
12A score is the total number of points that a student earns on a test or other schoolwork.
13For example, suppose you are telling your students about an upcoming test. You could say this:
14Each section is worth 25 points, for a total score of 100.
15You can also use "score" as a verb. In that case, it means to get points:
16Elaine scored well on her science test.
17The word "mark" is generally used in British English for the American word "grade."
18Both mean the same thing: a measure.
19Teachers in the United States are more likely to use the word "grade" for the number or letter that indicates how a student performed in a class or on a test.
20In the U.S., for example, many students get letter grades to represent their numeric score for a single paper or exam, as well as an entire term of study in a subject.
21A point is a numeric unit that is used in tests and other schoolwork.
22We also use this word for classroom activities and games.
23For example, you asked about what to tell a student who has done well in class. I would say,
24I will give you ten points for your correct answer.
25Or you might explain before you ask a question:
26I will give you ten points if you answer this question correctly.
27Now let's go over a few differences.
28The difference between the words "grades" and "points" is that a grade is usually based on the number of points scored.
29For example, if 100 points is the total, and the student got between 90 and 100 points, the student gets an A grade.
30A grade of B would go to scores of 80 to 89, C is for 70 to 79, and so on.
31In the U.S., a grade is almost always represented by a letter, and points by numbers.
32When talking about the difference between two scores we could use a sentence like the one you asked about:
33Your score is five points higher this week than it was on last week's test.
34You will get a good grade for the term.
35Thanks again for the questions, Eric. They were grade A!
36What question do you have about English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
37That's Ask a Teacher for this week.
38I'm Jill Robbins.
1This week, we received a question from Eric, a teacher in China. 2Question: 3I am at a loss about how to use the following words correctly: score, mark, point, and grade. For example, if a student answers my question correctly in class, should I say, "I will give you two points for your success" or should I say, "I will give you two marks?" Another question: How should we call the numeral that we put on students' test papers? Is that a mark? Or grade? Or point? Or score? And can I say, "In this test, student A's grade is two points higher than student B's"? Or should I use "mark" or maybe "score" instead of "grade" in this situation? 4Eric, China. 5Answer: 6Dear Eric, 7These are good questions. It is easy to mix up the many similar words connected to measuring student performance. 8First, I will give the meaning of each word. Then, I will answer your individual questions. 9Scores 10A score is the total number of points that a student earns on a test or other schoolwork. 11For example, suppose you are telling your students about an upcoming test. You could say this: 12Each section is worth 25 points, for a total score of 100. 13You can also use "score" as a verb. In that case, it means to get points: 14Elaine scored well on her science test. 15Marks and grades 16The word "mark" is generally used in British English for the American word "grade." Both mean the same thing: a measure. Teachers in the United States are more likely to use the word "grade" for the number or letter that indicates how a student performed in a class or on a test. In the U.S., for example, many students get letter grades to represent their numeric score for a single paper or exam, as well as an entire term of study in a subject. 17Points 18A point is a numeric unit that is used in tests and other schoolwork. We also use this word for classroom activities and games. 19For example, you asked about what to tell a student who has done well in class. I would say, 20I will give you ten points for your correct answer. 21Or you might explain before you ask a question: 22I will give you ten points if you answer this question correctly. 23Understanding differences 24Now let's go over a few differences. 25The difference between the words "grades" and "points" is that a grade is usually based on the number of points scored. For example, if 100 points is the total, and the student got between 90 and 100 points, the student gets an A grade. A grade of B would go to scores of 80 to 89, C is for 70 to 79, and so on. In the U.S., a grade is almost always represented by a letter, and points by numbers. 26When talking about the difference between two scores we could use a sentence like the one you asked about: 27Your score is five points higher this week than it was on last week's test. You will get a good grade for the term. 28Thanks again for the questions, Eric. They were grade A! 29Your questions 30What question do you have about English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. 31That's Ask a Teacher for this week. 32I'm Jill Robbins. 33Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 34_______________________________________________________________ 35Words in This Story 36point - n. individual credit for a correct answer 37mark - n. in British English, a letter assigned to a range of points 38score - n. the result of combining points; v. to achieve or earn something such as points or a grade 39grade - n. a letter assigned to a range of points 40range - n. a series of numbers that includes the highest and lowest possible amounts 41letter grade - n. a letter assigned to a score or a value; A = excellent, B = good, C = average and so on. 42Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.