Benin Grading System Calculator
Calculate semester GPA on Benin's 0–20 LMD scale. Credit-weighted averages and Mention grades under LMD. Free calculator.
The Republic of Benin follows the LMD (Licence-Master-Doctorat) framework, harmonized across the French-speaking world. The system emphasizes the 20-point scale and credit accumulation aligned with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
The Beninese university system is assessment-heavy, using Contrôles Continus (continuous assessment/mid-terms) and Examens Terminaux (final exams). Each academic year has two semesters. Courses are grouped into Unités d'Enseignement (UE), which may contain one or more Éléments Constitutifs (EC/ECUE).
Transcripts display the mark out of 20 for each course, the credits earned, and the Moyenne du Semestre (Semester Average). Pass mark: 10 / 20. Resits (Rattrapages) are common, usually held after the second semester for failed units. Rounding is typically to two decimal places; faculty-specific rules may vary (e.g. up to next 0.5).
| Main Grading Approach | 20-Point Scale (Numerical average / Moyenne) |
| Typical Grading Scale | 0.00 – 20.00 |
| Local Credit Term | Crédits (aligned with ECTS standards) |
| Credit-Weighted? | Yes. Results are weighted by the number of credits per UE. |
| Pass Mark | 10 / 20 (typically) |
| Resits (Rattrapages) | Common; usually held after the second semester for failed units. |
| Rounding Rules | Usually to two decimal places; specific rounding varies by faculty. |
- Individual UE grade: The grade for a Unité d'Enseignement is usually a weighted average of continuous assessment and final exam:
Note UE = (Note CC × W_CC) + (Note Examen × W_Examen)Common weight: 40% Continuous Assessment (CC) / 60% Final Exam.
- Semester average (Moyenne Semestrielle): Benin uses a credit-weighted average:
Moyenne = Σ(Note UE × Credits UE) / Σ(Credits UE) - Compensation: In many faculties, if the overall average is ≥10/20, the semester is validated even if one UE is slightly below 10 (usually with a floor of 7 or 8/20). A UE "validated by compensation" may not be capitalized the same way in some programs.
- Final degree: The final degree result is the average of all semesters (6 for Licence, 4 for Master). The final Mention is determined by this cumulative average.
| Mark / 20 | French Mention (Official) | English Equivalent | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16.0 – 20.0 | Très Bien | Very Good / Excellent | Pass |
| 14.0 – 15.9 | Bien | Good | Pass |
| 12.0 – 13.9 | Assez Bien | Fairly Good | Pass |
| 10.0 – 11.9 | Passable | Satisfactory / Pass | Pass |
| 0.0 – 9.9 | Ajourné / Insuffisant | Fail | Fail |
Note: 18–20 is technically "Très Bien avec Félicitations du Jury" but is extremely rare in the Beninese system.
| Benin Mark (/20) | US Grade Equivalent | US Grade Point (4.0) |
|---|---|---|
| 14.0 – 20.0 | A | 4.0 |
| 12.0 – 13.9 | B+ | 3.3 – 3.5 |
| 11.0 – 11.9 | B | 3.0 |
| 10.5 – 10.9 | B- | 2.7 |
| 10.0 – 10.4 | C | 2.0 |
| Below 10.0 | F | 0.0 |
| Course (UE) | Credits | Grade (/20) | Weighted Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Droit Constitutionnel | 6 | 12.50 | 75.00 |
| Introduction au Droit | 6 | 11.00 | 66.00 |
| Histoire du Droit | 4 | 14.00 | 56.00 |
| Langue Vivante (Anglais) | 4 | 15.00 | 60.00 |
| Informatique | 4 | 9.00 | 36.00 |
| Méthodologie | 6 | 10.50 | 63.00 |
| TOTAL | 30 | 356.00 |
| University | Grading Approach | Scale | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Université d'Abomey-Calavi (UAC) | Percentage/Average | 0–20 | uac.bj |
| Université de Parakou (UP) | Percentage/Average | 0–20 | univ-parakou.bj |
| UNSTIM (Engineering/Tech) | Percentage/Average | 0–20 | unstim.bj |
| ESM Benin (Private) | Percentage/Average | 0–20 | esm-benin.com |
A Beninese 14/20 is often viewed as an "A" (Excellent) because grading is stricter than the US percentage system. A 10/20 is typically a "C".
Benin's credit system is modeled on ECTS (60 credits/year). Grades map easily to the ECTS grading table (A, B, C, D, E).
Credential evaluators recognize Benin's state-accredited degrees. Students from private "unauthorized" institutions may face rejection—always check the MESRS list of accredited programs.
Basis: UAC FADESP Pedagogical Rules, Government Decree 2010-297 (LMD), Scholaro Benin Profile, University of Parakou guidelines.