The current grading system has been criticized for causing inflation and unfairness, with some schools giving higher grades than they should. The A–F scale has also been questioned because an F has such dramatic consequences. One too many Fs, and the path to a national upper secondary program is closed.
New scale
The plan is instead a new grading system: a 10-point scale without the hard F limit. To be eligible for national upper secondary programs, an average grade of 4 is needed – which means that a student is allowed to be weaker in one subject if they are stronger in another.
"We have almost 20,000 children who finish grade nine without being eligible for national upper secondary education programs. I think it is important that we have a system that ensures that children are not excluded but are supported," says Minister of Education Simona Mohamsson (L) to TT.
Introduced in 2028
The new grading system will also be weighed against the results of national final exams, which were supposed to be rolled out digitally this year. However, the government had to pull the emergency brake last fall because the project was plagued by major technical problems.
How will this major change be implemented when technology does not seem to be on the side of the Swedish National Agency for Education?
"I think many people are feeling frustrated about the problems with the national exams. We have now instructed the National Agency for Education to postpone the introduction so that they have plenty of time to develop a platform that works," says Mohamsson.
The new scale will be introduced in 2028, which is one year later than the grading inquiry suggested. At the same time, the new curricula will come into force.
Ten grading levels without a clear passing score:
1–3 limited skills
4–5 acceptable skills
6–7 good skills
8–9 very good skills
10 excellent skills
An average of 4 provides upper secondary school entrance qualification.
