Grading System

Athens Technical College uses the following grading system to specify levels of performance in coursework.

Learning support course grades are designated with an asterisk and are not included in the calculation of cumulative, graduate, and semester grade point averages. The college also uses the following symbols:

AC - Articulated Credit

This symbol indicates that students passed exemption examinations while enrolled in high school. Grades of AC are counted toward earned credits but are not calculated into a student’s grade point average at Athens Technical College.

AU — Audit

This symbol indicates that students enrolled in courses but chose not to seek credit for the courses (see Auditing Classes).

EX — Credit by Examination

This symbol indicates that students received credit based on their successful performance on examinations to demonstrate prior achievement of course competencies (see Credit by Examination).

I — Incomplete

This symbol indicates that students could not complete the coursework by the end of the academic term due to extenuating circumstances, and they were approved to delay the completion of coursework to next academic term per a signed agreement. Instructors must file change of grade forms with the executive director of registration and records as soon as course requirements are completed. It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor and complete all course requirements per their agreement. Only in extreme circumstances will the vice president for academic affairs extend an incomplete grade beyond the limit of one semester. The executive director of registration and records does not calculate incomplete grades in grade point averages.

IP — In Progress

Instructors will assign grades of IP when courses extend beyond the official term ending date as indicated in the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar). Grades of IP are typically reserved for individualized courses or for courses such as internships and practicums. These grades are also used when courses begin in one academic term and continue into another academic term. This grade cannot be used to defer grade reporting for more than one term. Students must complete the work during the following term and instructors must file change of grade forms with the executive director of registration and records. 

TR, TRA, TRB, TRC — Transfer

These symbols indicate transfer credit awarded for courses taken at other colleges. TR was used to indicate transfer credit until August 2011. Beginning August 2011, TRA, TRB, and TRC codes were implemented to indicate the grade earned at the transferring institution. Transfer grades are not included when calculating semester, cumulative, or graduation grade point averages. CLEP, AP, and other credits earned by national exam receive a grade of TR (see Credit by Exam).

W — Withdrawal

This symbol indicates that students officially withdrew from classes by the midpoint of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar). These grades are not included in the calculation of grade point averages.

WF/WF* — Withdrawal Failing

This symbol indicates that students were failing when they officially withdrew from classes after the midpoint of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar). Grades of WF are calculated as grades of F in grade point averages. 

WP — Withdrawal Passing

This symbol indicates that students were passing when they officially withdrew from classes after the midpoint of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar (see Academic Calendar). These grades are not included in the calculation of grade point averages. 

Grades of F, F*, I, IP, W, WF, WF*, and WP may affect financial aid. Learning support hours count toward attempted hours. Grades earned for learning support courses do not affect the final grade point average; however, those grades do affect satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes (see Satisfactory Academic Progress in the Financial Aid section).