Belize Grading Scale for the Primary School Examination
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The Belize grading scale used for the Primary School Examination (PSE) runs from A to F, with A the best grade and F the worst. No single pass mark or percentage key is stated; grading rules are set nationally by the Chief Education Officer.
This page explains what the grades mean and how school grading is run, including the role of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC).
It also offers context for teachers working with students from Belize and points to related systems and sources.
What each Belizean grade means
The Belizean PSE letter-grade scale runs from A, the best grade, to F, the worst. For the PSE, a passing grade is 50 or higher; the scale has no single stated pass mark and no percentage key.
| Grade | Meaning | Passing |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | Yes |
| B | Competent | Yes |
| C | Satisfactory | Yes |
| D | Adequate | Yes |
| F | Inadequate | Yes |
The sources state no pass mark for this scale; the grades report levels of achievement.
For the CSEC, grade level 3 or higher is a satisfactory passing grade.
Compared with related systems
Belize
No pass mark
Argentina
5 of 6 grades pass
Bahamas
No pass mark
Afghanistan
4 of 5 grades pass
How Belizean school grading is run
The Chief Education Officer sets national grading rules, in consultation with the Education Council and TVET Council, and sets standards for completing primary and secondary schooling.
The authority also provides examinations and other measures to assess and certify whether students and trainees meet those standards (moecst.gov.bz).
The national primary school examination (PSE) is taken by standard six students, also known as eighth graders (edc.gov.bz).
Promotion and completion in primary and secondary school are based on meeting the requirements in school policies (moecst.gov.bz).
Most secondary students take one or more Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations at the end of Form 4, but taking them is not mandatory (moecst.gov.bz).
Teaching students from Belize
Check the grades and key on each student’s report card or transcript, and ask the student’s school to clarify any grades you cannot interpret. Record the grades and key consistently in your gradebook.
Set the scale up once so every report card and transcript you produce uses the same key.
Related grading systems
Sources and verification
- [1]moecst.gov.bz. Secondary Education - Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology. Accessed Oct 26, 2026. Official source
- [2]moecst.gov.bz. Primary Education - Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology. Accessed Oct 26, 2026. Official source
- [3]edc.gov.bz. Challenges and Opportunities in the Belize Education Sector. pdf. Accessed Oct 26, 2026. Official source
- [4]moecst.gov.bz. education and training act, 2010. pdf. Accessed Oct 26, 2026. Official source
The facts on this page were last verified on Oct 26, 2026. Suggest a correction
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing grade in Belize?
For the Primary School Examination (PSE), a passing grade is 50 or higher. For the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), grade level 3 or higher is a satisfactory passing grade.
