What you need to know

First-year grading is designed to ease your transition to MIT by giving you time to adjust to factors like increased workloads and variations in academic preparation and teaching methods. You start with Pass or No Record (P/NR) grading during fall and IAP terms and transition to A, B, C, or No Record grades for the spring semester. Standard A-F grading begins in your sophomore year.

Some key points to remember:

Fall and IAP terms

  • You will receive a grade of Pass or No Record in all subjects. P (passing) indicates a C- or better performance. No Record (NR) indicates a D or F.
  • Instructors still submit standard letter grades online to the Registrar’s Office. These “hidden” grades are available on WebSIS and used for advising purposes only.
  • Subjects receiving a P grade will appear on both your grade report and transcript.
  • Subjects with a grade of No Record, O, or OX are only reported internally. They appear on your grade report (indicated by an NR), but not on your transcript.
  • You will earn no credit for subjects receiving a No Record grade.

Spring term

  • In the spring semester, you are graded on an A, B, C, or No Record (D or F) basis.
  • You will earn no credit for subjects receiving a No Record grade.
  • Subjects with a grade of A, B, or C will appear on both your grade report and transcript.
  • Subjects with a grade of D, F, O, or OX are only reported internally. They appear on your grade report (indicated by an NR), but not on your transcript.
  • First-year students who enter MIT in Fall 2020 and beyond may designate up to 48 units to be graded on a Pass/No Record (P/NR) basis after their first term through the Flexible P/NR Option.
  • We calculate GPA for first-year students at the end of the spring semester.