Danish Grading System: understanding Denmark’s seven-point scale
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The Danish grading system uses the Seven-point grading scale (7-trins-skalaen), which runs from -3 to 12: 12 is the best grade, -3 the worst, and 02 the lowest passing grade. There is no percent key.
Grading rules are set nationally by the Ministry of Children and Education.
This page explains the scale and how national grading rules apply, including the Folkeskole leaving examination.
It also provides context for teachers working with Danish students online or abroad and points to related grading systems and sources for verification.
The Danish grading scale: -3 to 12
The Danish seven-point grading scale is used for marks of pupil performance, including general proficiency marks and examination marks. It is compatible with the European Transfer Control System (ETCS) grading scale.
| Grade | Native label | Meaning | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Den fremragende præstation | The excellent performance | Yes |
| 10 | Den fortrinlige præstation | The very good performance | Yes |
| 7 | Den gode præstation | The good performance | Yes |
| 4 | Den jævne præstation | The fair performance | Yes |
| 02 | Den tilstrækkelige præstation | The adequate performance | Yes |
| 00 | Den utilstrækkelige præstation | The inadequate performance | No |
| -3 | Den ringe præstation | The poor performance | No |
When an exam requires passing, grades 02, 4, 7, 10 and 12 pass; 00 and -3 fail.
Grades 02, 4, 7, 10 and 12 are passing grades when an exam requires a pass; 02 is the lowest passing grade. (Eurydice; Undervisningsministeriet)
Grades 00 and -3 are failing grades when an exam requires a pass. A mark below 02 is below the passing minimum (Undervisningsministeriet; Eurydice).
Compared with related systems
Denmark
5 of 7 grades pass
Netherlands
5 of 10 grades pass
How Danish school grading is run
The Ministry of Children and Education sets national grading rules, oversees examination content and certificates, and regulates certificates for the Folkeskole leaving examination in forms 9 and 10 and the 10th form examination (Eurydice).
The Folkeskole leaving examination certificate must include grades from compulsory 8th-grade examinations, voluntary 8th-grade examinations and 9th-grade examinations, as applicable (Undervisningsministeriet).
A certificate with juniormesterlære must include grades from 9th-grade Danish and mathematics examinations, applicable 8th-grade and other 9th-grade examination grades, and averages for compulsory 9th-grade Danish and mathematics examinations.
The written Danish average and its reading and spelling component are unweighted averages of their subtests (Undervisningsministeriet).
Students who did not take required 9th-grade Danish or mathematics examinations, or want to improve their result, may take them in 10th grade to meet the passing requirement.
Taking 9th-grade examinations at the end of 9th grade remains mandatory unless the student is exempted (Undervisningsministeriet).
If you teach Danish students online or abroad
The Danish grading scale runs from -3 to 12. Record students’ Danish grades with the scale’s key in your gradebook, and check the key shown on each report card or transcript.
Set up your gradebook once so every report card and transcript you produce uses the same key.
Related grading systems
Sources and verification
- [1]uvm.dk. 7-trinsskalaen | Undervisningsministeriet. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Official source
- [2]uvm.dk. Karakterer på 7-trinsskalaen | Undervisningsministeriet. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Official source
- [3]uvm.dk. Indberetning af prøvekarakterer, beviser og beståkrav | Undervisningsministeriet. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Official source
- [4]eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu. Assessment in general upper secondary education. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Credential evaluator
- [5]eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu. Assessment in single-structure education. Accessed Sep 24, 2026. Credential evaluator
The facts on this page were last verified on Sep 27, 2026. Suggest a correction
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing grade in Denmark?
02 is the lowest passing grade in Denmark. When an exam requires a pass, grades 02, 4, 7, 10 and 12 pass; 00 and -3 fail.
How do Danish grades convert to US grades?
The Danish grades are compatible with the European Transfer Control System (ETCS) grading scale. No conversion to US grades is stated.
Do schools in Denmark use percentages for grades?
No. Danish school marks use the seven-point grading scale, and there is no percent key.
Is a 4 a good grade in Denmark?
A 4 is a passing grade when an exam requires a pass. It is described as “Den jævne præstation,” or the fair performance.
