The DepEd Grading System refers to the official method of computing a learner’s academic performance, as prescribed by the Department of Education. Both public and private schools registered under the department must follow this computation. The grading system uses a standards-based approach, where teachers evaluate learners using preset criteria to determine if they meet the target competencies. The grading system consists of three (3) main components: written works, performance tasks, and the quarterly assessment. On this page, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to the DepEd Grading System based on DepEd Order 15 (s. 2026), including the official Grade Transmutation Table.
The Department of Education uses a uniform and competency-based grading scheme in its Matatag Curriculum. The Department will employ a floor grade, which is the lowest possible grade that can appear on a learner’s report card, for these rules. In each term, the three grading components are used to grade learners in Grades 1 to 12. The new grading system, based on DepEd Order 15 (s. 2026), focuses on the learner-centered approach. Furthermore, learners’ grades must be based on authentic assessments that provide meaningful feedback and accurate reporting.
DepEd assigns different percentage weights to these three components depending on the nature of the subject matter. After you compute all the learners’ raw scores, DepEd requires you to convert the raw grades into their equivalent transmuted grades. If you find it difficult to do this manually, you can use our Automated Grading Sheets or E-Class Record (ECR). An individual learning area’s passing raw grade is 70, which is converted to 75 on the report card.
Kindergarten and Key Stage 1 Shift to Descriptive Grading
One of the major changes in the new policy is the use of a Descriptive Grading System for Kindergarten and Key Stage 1 learners.
The Kindergarten Descriptive Grading System uses three levels to describe a learner’s progress in developing and demonstrating expected skills. A learner who receives CO (Consistent) regularly shows the required competencies. The learner actively participates in classroom activities, works independently, and may even perform beyond expectations.
Meanwhile, a learner with DV (Developing) is making progress in learning the expected skills. However, the learner does not yet demonstrate these competencies consistently and still needs guidance and additional practice.
On the other hand, a learner who receives BG (Beginning) is still in the early stage of skill development. The learner requires close supervision, continuous support, and regular guidance to strengthen and improve the expected competencies. These descriptive ratings help teachers and parents better understand a learner’s development and provide the appropriate support needed for continuous growth and improvement.
Grade 1 to 3 uses a descriptive grading system with five levels to assess a learner’s progress and skill mastery. Each level shows how well a learner understands and applies what they learn.
Learners at the Advancing (A) level consistently show skills, understanding, and values that go beyond expectations. They complete tasks with confidence, accuracy, and independence. Meanwhile, Benchmarking (B) learners meet grade-level expectations. They perform tasks correctly and consistently without help. Connecting (C) learners show basic understanding. They can apply what they learned in familiar situations, but they still need minimal guidance.
On the other hand, Developing (D) learners show partial understanding. Their performance is still inconsistent, so they need regular practice and targeted support to improve. Finally, Emerging (E) learners are just starting to build basic skills. They need close supervision and strong guidance to help them progress.
In cases where numerical grades are required for Grades 1 to 3, such as when learners transfer to schools not yet implementing the descriptive grading system, the following conversion matrix shall be used. The equivalent numeric values represent grade ranges and shall not be interpreted as exact computed grades, but as indicative equivalents aligned with the learner’s descriptive performance level.
Why Kindergarten and Key Stage 1 Learners Do Not Receive Academic Excellence Awards
Under the DepEd policy, learners in Kindergarten and Key Stage 1 (Grades 1–3) are not part of the Academic Excellence Awards or honor ranking system. They are not ranked using General Weighted Average (GWA) like learners in higher grade levels. Instead, assessment at these early stages stays developmental and descriptive, not competitive.
Learning at this level prioritizes foundational skill-building. It also focuses on positive study habits and age-appropriate competencies. Because of this, comparing learners through numerical grades is avoided.
Schools do not give honor awards in place of academic rankings. Instead, they recognize learners through developmental and progress-based indicators. These include skill mastery, steady improvement, positive classroom behavior, and achievement of learning milestones.
Teachers rely on portfolios, performance tasks, classroom observations, and descriptive feedback to track and recognize growth. This approach reflects DepEd’s goal of shifting attention away from “Who got the highest grades?” toward “How much has each learner improved and developed?” during the early years of schooling.
Debunked: Learners Do Not Need a 95 GWA to Qualify for the Academic Excellence Award
Under DepEd Order No. 015 (s. 2026), DepEd gives the Academic Excellence Award to learners in Grades 4–12. Learners qualify if they get a General Average (GA) of at least 90. They must also ensure that no Final Grade is below 80 in any subject. In addition, they must have no derogatory or disciplinary record during the school year. This shows that learners do not need a GA of 95 to qualify for the award.
Policy states that the minimum requirement for the Academic Excellence Award starts at a GA of 90. Schools may set higher grade thresholds for other honors such as Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors. However, the basic Academic Excellence Award does not require a GA of 95 or higher. Thus, any learner who meets the academic and conduct standards and earns a GA of 90 or above can receive the award.
Performance Tasks Receive Greater Importance
The new grading system strengthens authentic and performance-based assessments. Learners show what they know through meaningful tasks such as projects, portfolios, investigations, presentations, and other real-world activities.
In addition, schools encourage integrative performance tasks. Different learning areas work together to assess one output while still checking subject-specific skills. As a result, this approach reduces assessment load and supports deeper learning.
Components of the DepEd Grading System
This results in the total score for each component, namely Written Work, Performance Tasks, and Term Assessment. Raw scores from each component have to be converted to a Percentage Score. This is to ensure that values are parallel to each other.
Featured: E-Class Record (ECR) Template for SY 2026-2027 Free Download
| Learning Area / Subject Group | WWs | PTs | EXs |
|---|---|---|---|
| KS2–KS3 | |||
| English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science, Araling Panlipunan (AP), GMRC / Values Education (VE) | 20% | 50% | 30% |
| EPP / TLE and MAPEH | 20% | 60% | 20% |
| KS4 (Senior High School) | |||
| SHS Core Subjects, Other SHS Academic Electives | 20% | 50% | 30% |
| SHS Field Exposure, Arts Apprenticeship, Creative Production and Innovation | 15% | 70% | 15% |
| SHS Arts, Sports, and Health and Wellness Electives | 20% | 60% | 20% |
| SHS Research Electives and Design and Innovation | 40% | 60% | — |
| SHS TechPro Electives | 15% | 65% | 20% |
| SHS Work Immersion | 20% | 80% | — |
Step-by-Step Guide to Computing Learners’ Grades
For KS2 to KS4, a numeric grading system shall be used. Grades shall be computed based on a weighted scale per learning area, using prescribed components such as WWs, PTs, and EXs. To ensure fair, transparent, and consistent grading practices across all key stages, the following steps shall be followed when computing learners’ final grades.
Determine the Total Raw Scores (RS) for Each Component
All raw scores from the different student outputs—WWs, PTs, and EXs (if applicable)—are summed up. This produces the total RS per component.
Compute the Weighted Scores (WS)
To make the component scores comparable and aligned in scale, the total raw scores are converted into PS using the formula below:
Percentage Score (PS) = (RS / Highest Possible Score) × 100
Compute the Weighted Scores (WS)
Each component’s PS is then multiplied by its assigned weight based on the subject area guidelines. This reflects the relative importance of each component in the subject.
Formula:Weighted Score (WS) = Percentage Score (PS) × Component Weight
Example: If the PS for Written Works is 85 and the component weight is 25%, the calculation will be: 85 × 0.25 = 21.25
Add the Weighted Scores to Get the Initial Grade
After calculating the weighted scores for each grading component (such as Written Work, Performance Tasks, and Quarterly Assessment), add all the weighted scores together. The sum of these scores will give you the Initial Grade of the learner in that subject.
Transmute the Initial Grade Using the Transmutation Table
Once you have computed the Initial Grade (raw grade based on weighted scores per component), you must convert or “transmute” it using the DepEd Adjusted Transmutation Table.
DepEd Grade Transmutation Table
Under the new Transmutation Table, the baseline score required to obtain a passing grade of 75 is now 70, compared to 60 under the previous transmutation system. What does this mean? Under the new system, learners’ grades will be more closely aligned with their actual scores and academic performance. As a result, artificial grade increases (grade inflation) will be reduced, making final grades a more accurate reflection of learners’ true level of learning, achievement, and competencies.
| Initial Grade | Transmuted Grade | Initial Grade | Transmuted Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99.50 – 100.00 | 100 | 74.72 – 75.89 | 79 |
| 98.32 – 99.49 | 99 | 73.54 – 74.71 | 78 |
| 97.14 – 98.31 | 98 | 72.36 – 73.53 | 77 |
| 95.96 – 97.13 | 97 | 71.18 – 72.35 | 76 |
| 94.78 – 95.95 | 96 | 70.00 – 71.17 | 75 |
| 93.60 – 94.77 | 95 | 65.34 – 69.99 | 74 |
| 92.42 – 93.59 | 94 | 60.67 – 65.33 | 73 |
| 91.24 – 92.41 | 93 | 56.01 – 60.66 | 72 |
| 90.06 – 91.23 | 92 | 51.34 – 56.00 | 71 |
| 88.88 – 90.05 | 91 | 46.67 – 51.33 | 70 |
| 87.70 – 88.87 | 90 | 42.01 – 46.66 | 69 |
| 86.52 – 87.69 | 89 | 37.34 – 42.00 | 68 |
| 85.34 – 86.51 | 88 | 32.68 – 37.33 | 67 |
| 84.16 – 85.33 | 87 | 28.01 – 32.67 | 66 |
| 82.98 – 84.15 | 86 | 23.35 – 28.00 | 65 |
| 81.80 – 82.97 | 85 | 18.68 – 23.34 | 64 |
| 80.62 – 81.79 | 84 | 14.01 – 18.67 | 63 |
| 79.44 – 80.61 | 83 | 9.35 – 14.00 | 62 |
| 78.26 – 79.43 | 82 | 4.68 – 9.34 | 61 |
| 77.08 – 78.25 | 81 | 0.00 – 4.67 | 60 |
| 75.90 – 77.07 | 80 |
Download Forms and Annexes of DepEd Order 15 s. 2026
Download the official Forms and Annexes of DepEd Order No. 15, s. 2026 to access the standardized documents required for proper implementation and compliance within the Department of Education. These forms serve as essential tools for schools, administrators, and stakeholders in ensuring accurate documentation, reporting, and alignment with the guidelines outlined in the policy. Click the link below to conveniently obtain and use the complete set of forms and annexes.
| Forms | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Report Card | Download |
| Performance and Competency Evaluation (PACE) Form | Download |
| Grade 1-3 Report Card | Download |
| Grade 4-12 Report Card | Download |
Full Copy of DepEd Order 15 s. 2026
In this section, you will find the full copy of DepEd Order No. 15, s. 2026, which outlines the official guidelines on the implementation of the grading system for School Year 2026-2027.
Skip to PDF contentRelated Teaching Resources
To fully support you, we’ve included links to additional teaching resources below. We’d love to hear from you—feel free to message us at ict@alapan1es.com.
- ARAL Summer Remediation Program 2026
- Daily Lesson Log (DLL)
- Lesson Exemplars (LE)
- Modules and LEAP
- Learning Activity Sheets (LAS)
- Lesson PowerPoint (PPT)