grading system

The evaluation of the student's academic performance is carried out by the professor of each subject, through a combination of tests, assignments, participation, and contribution to class discussions. 

The grade is expressed in letters corresponding to five categories: outstanding, good, pass, fail and incomplete. The cumulative grade point average is calculated using a numerical equivalent of the grades as indicated below.

Grades and numerical equivalents for the evaluation of subjects:

Sobresaliente          Buena             Aprobada          Reprobada

Outstanding             Good               Approved          Failing grade

S  5,00                         B+ 4,33            A+ 3,33               R 2,00                          

S-  4,66                        B  4,00             A  3,00

                                     B- 3,66             A- 2,66

Note: for seminars and graduate work, grades P (pass) and NP (fail) apply.

At the end of the term, we will send the student's transcript to the coordinator of the home university.

Required WorkLoad & Credits


The full-time workload is 3-4 courses per term. One course at IESA is equivalent to 32 academic hours per quarter (10 weeks x 4 hours/week) plus 3 hours of study per academic hour, plus 4 hours of course assessment. One academic hour is equal to forty-five (45) minutes.


To help with the validation of courses taken abroad by our students and for incoming students, IESA is using as reference the conversion below. 


2 Venezuelan credits (Graduate level) = 4 ECTS

Please note that this is only a recommendation and schools should follow the conversion applicable to their own academic requirements.