Grades
Each grade mark at the University of Montana is defined by whether the grade counts as attempted and/or earned as well as how the grade is weighted in a student's grade point average.
This page outlines the definitions of each grade mark as well as explanations for when to assign nontraditional grades, such as incomplete and N grades.
Grade Definitions
Undergraduate Grade Marks
A (Excellent)
- Quality Points
- 4.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
A- (A Minus)
- Quality Points
- 3.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
B (Good)
- Quality Points
- 3.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
B- (B Minus)
- Quality Points
- 2.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C+ (C Plus)
- Quality Points
- 2.3
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C (Satisfactory)
- Quality Points
- 2.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C- (C Minus)
- Quality Points
- 1.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D+ (D Plus)
- Quality Points
- 1.3
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D (Poor)
- Quality Points
- 1.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D- (D Minus)
- Quality Points
- 0.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
F (Failed - Began Attendance)
- Quality Points
- 0.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
NF (Failed - Never Attended)
- Quality Points
- 0.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
CR (Credit Earned)
- Equivalency
- A through D Minus
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Credit/No Credit
NCR (No Credit Earned)
- Equivalency
- F
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Credit/No Credit
AUD (Auditor Registration)
- Attempted Credits
- No
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Audit
I (Incomplete - Extension Given)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
N (Continuing - Reserved for Research, Thesis, Etc.)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
NC (Exceptional Progress But Needs Repeat - WRIT 095 and WRIT 101 Only)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
W (Withdrawn)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
WP (Withdrawn While Passing)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
WF (Withdrawn While Failing)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
MG (Missing Grade)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
Remedial Grade Marks
RA (Excellent)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RA- (A Minus)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RB (Good)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RB- (B Minus)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RC+ (C Plus)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RC (Satisfactory)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RC- (C Minus)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RD+ (D Plus)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RD (Poor)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RD- (D Minus)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RF (Failed - Began Attendance)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RNF (Failed - Never Attended)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
RCR (Credit Earned)
- Equivalency
- A through D Minus
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Credit/No Credit
RNC (No Credit Earned)
- Equivalency
- F
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Credit/No Credit
Graduate Grade Marks
A (Excellent)
- Quality Points
- 4.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
A- (A Minus)
- Quality Points
- 3.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
B (Good)
- Quality Points
- 3.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
B- (B Minus)
- Quality Points
- 2.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C+ (C Plus)
- Quality Points
- 2.3
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C (Satisfactory)
- Quality Points
- 2.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C- (C Minus)
- Quality Points
- 1.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D+ (D Plus)
- Quality Points
- 1.3
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D (Poor)
- Quality Points
- 1.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D- (D Minus)
- Quality Points
- 0.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
F (Failed - Began Attendance)
- Quality Points
- 0.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
NF (Failed - Never Attended)
- Quality Points
- 0.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
CR (Credit Earned)
- Equivalency
- Undefined in relation to traditional letter grades for graduate coursework
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Credit/No Credit
NCR (No Credit Earned)
- Equivalency
- Undefined in relation to traditional letter grades for graduate coursework
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Credit/No Credit
AUD (Auditor Registration)
- Attempted Credits
- No
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Audit
I (Incomplete - Extension Given)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
N (Continuing - Reserved for Research, Thesis, Etc.)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
NC (Exceptional Progress But Needs Repeat - WRIT 095 and WRIT 101 Only)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
W (Withdrawn)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
WP (Withdrawn While Passing)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
WF (Withdrawn While Failing)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
MG (Missing Grade)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
Law Grade Marks
A (Excellent)
- Quality Points
- 4.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
A- (A Minus)
- Quality Points
- 3.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
B (Good)
- Quality Points
- 3.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
B- (B Minus)
- Quality Points
- 2.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C+ (C Plus)
- Quality Points
- 2.3
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C (Satisfactory)
- Quality Points
- 2.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
C- (C Minus)
- Quality Points
- 1.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D+ (D Plus)
- Quality Points
- 1.3
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D (Poor)
- Quality Points
- 1.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
D- (D Minus)
- Quality Points
- 0.7
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
F (Failed - Began Attendance)
- Quality Points
- 0.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
NF (Failed - Never Attended)
- Quality Points
- 0.0
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- Yes
- Grade Mode
- Traditional
CR (Credit Earned)
- Equivalency
- Undefined in relation to traditional letter grades for graduate coursework
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- Yes
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Credit/No Credit
NCR (No Credit Earned)
- Equivalency
- Undefined in relation to traditional letter grades for graduate coursework
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
- Grade Mode
- Credit/No Credit
HC (High Competent)
- Grade Mode
- Competent/No Credit
CM (Competent)
- Grade Mode
- Competent/No Credit
I (Incomplete - Extension Given)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
N (Continuing - Reserved for Research, Thesis, Etc.)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
W (Withdrawn)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
WP (Withdrawn While Passing)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
WF (Withdrawn While Failing)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
MG (Missing Grade)
- Attempted Credits
- Yes
- Earned Credits
- No
- Included in GPA
- No
Nontraditional Grades
Incomplete Versus N
Rule of thumb:
- Incomplete = Extension
- N = Multi-semester work
I (Incomplete) is appropriate when a student has been in regular attendance and passing for a majority of the class meeting, but is unable to finish within the semester for reasons acceptable to you. An I will remain on the transcript, preceding the final grade (i.e. IA-, IC, ICR, IF, etc.) as an indicator that the student finished work after the semester. If you wish to assign an incomplete and the alternate grade is not an F, see above for directions.
N (In Progress) is appropriate when the nature of the course requires more than one semester for completion, such as thesis, dissertation, or research. An N disappears once the final grade is posted. Practicums, clinicals, internships, independent studies, ongoing certifications, or classes that culminate in group travel experiences after the semester may also report N's until complete. In general, instructors should not assign N grades for regular undergraduate courses.
Further, an N may be assigned if alleged academic misconduct occurs at or after the conclusion of a course. The N grade will stand until a final resolution is reached. Academic misconduct procedures are detailed in Article IV of the Student Code of Conduct.
Neither grade affects a student’s GPA or total credits earned, though they may have different impacts on a student's federal financial aid eligibility.
Credit Versus No Credit
CR is the grade for credit. CR is assigned for work judged D- or above for undergraduates.
NCR is the grade for No Credit. For undergraduates NCR must be assigned for work equal to F in quality.
Grades of CR/NCR may only be assigned if the course is set up with a credit/no credit grade mode or if the course has an open grade mode and the student opted into credit/no credit before the final instructional day.
Credit/no credit equivalencies are not defined for graduate-level coursework.
NC (different than NCR) is a no credit, non-punitive grade allowed only for students in WRIT 095 or WRIT 101 who have made significant improvements in writing but have not achieved passing work and must repeat the course.
F Versus NF
Grades of F are assigned when a student fails a course and began attendance or academic engagement in the class.
NF should be assigned instead if the student never attended class or submitted coursework.
The assumption of the NF grade is that a registration error occurred and the F grade is not earned. The NF grade enables the student to correct a registration error.
Assigning an NF when the student did in fact begin attendance may detrimentally impact the student's financial aid. Please only use if the student never attended.
Drops and Semester Withdrawals
When entering final grades, W, WP, and WF will already appear in the grade column and read as "NOT GRADABLE” if the student has officially dropped or withdrawn.
If you believe the student planned to withdraw, but still appears on your roster to grade, please assign the grade they earned. If the student’s drop request is still being processed, the Registrar’s Office will correct the grade.
Covid-19 Grade Policy
The University of Montana adapted certain academic processes in Spring Semester 2020 to address the Covid-19 pandemic. This option was introduced due to the sudden change to remote learning in the middle of the semester.
This adaptation is briefly noted on the transcripts of every student who was enrolled for that semester.