The Dutch grading system (1–10), explained
The Netherlands grades on a 1-to-10 scale (cijfer), and the quirk everyone notices is that the top marks are almost never used. 6 is a pass, an 8 is very good, and a 9 or 10 is exceptional — many students never see one. A 5.5 usually rounds up to a pass.
The grades and what they mean
| Cijfer | Meaning | Pass? | ≈ US GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Outstanding (almost never given) | Pass | 4.0 |
| 9 | Excellent | Pass | 4.0 |
| 8 | Very good | Pass | 3.7 |
| 7 | More than satisfactory | Pass | 3.3 |
| 6 | Satisfactory — pass | Pass | 2.7–3.0 |
| 5 | Almost satisfactory | Fail | 1.7 |
| ≤4 | Insufficient | Fail | 0.0 |
The pass mark
6 (voldoende) is a pass; 5 and below is a fail (onvoldoende). A final mark of 5.5 is normally rounded up to 6. The 9–10 range is reserved for near-perfect work, so an 8 is genuinely excellent.
Because the top of the scale is barely used, a Dutch 7 or 8 is stronger than the numbers suggest to outsiders.
Converting Dutch grades to a US GPA
A common guide: 8+ ≈ 3.7–4.0, 7 ≈ 3.3, 6 ≈ 2.7–3.0 (pass). Institutions differ, so check the official table.
Why 9 and 10 are so rare
Dutch marking treats 10 as flawless and 9 as near-flawless, so teachers reserve them for truly exceptional work. This compresses most real grades into the 6–8 band.
Bekijk je cijfer meteen
Paste your assignment into GradeCheck, choose the Netherlands, and get an estimated cijfer (1–10) in seconds — free, no account needed.
Grade my work freeFrequently asked questions
- Is 6 a pass in the Netherlands?
- Yes. 6 is the pass mark (voldoende); 5 and below is a fail. A 5.5 normally rounds up to 6.
- What is a good Dutch grade?
- A 7 is solid, an 8 is very good, and a 9 or 10 is exceptional and rarely awarded.
- Why don't Dutch students get 10s?
- 10 is treated as perfect and 9 as near-perfect, so they're reserved for outstanding work — most grades fall between 6 and 8.
Related guides: German grades to GPA · Finnish grading system