Jamaica grade conversion to the Dutch grading system
Use the converter to estimate how a Jamaica grade (CAPE/CSEC grades (I highest)) maps onto the Dutch 1–10 scale, then check the full table below.
Type your grade above to see the indicative Dutch equivalent.
Indicative only. Official conversion requires a credential evaluation.
Jamaica → Dutch grade conversion table
CAPE results use Grades I-VII, with Grade I the highest; CSEC uses Grades I-VI. For CAPE, CXC states that Grades I-V are acceptable for further study, while the Dutch scale runs from 1 to 10 with 5.5 as the minimum pass.
| Home grade | Dutch grade (1–10) | Level |
|---|---|---|
| CAPE Grade I | 8.0–8.5 | excellent |
| CAPE Grade II | 7.5–8.0 | very good |
| CAPE Grade III | 7.0–7.5 | good |
| CAPE Grade IV | 6.5–7.0 | satisfactory |
| CAPE Grade V | 5.5–6.5 | pass |
| CAPE Grades VI-VII | 1.0–5.4 | fail |
How the Dutch 1–10 scale works
Dutch grades run from 1 to 10, with 5.5 the minimum pass. Most grades fall between 6 and 8; a 9 is rare and a 10 is almost never awarded. Read more in our Dutch grading system guide.
Will my grades be good enough?
For Dutch bachelor admission, Jamaican applicants are usually assessed on a combination of CSEC subjects and CAPE units in relevant subjects. WES describes CAPE as comparable to British A levels and other strong university-preparatory qualifications, but Dutch universities set programme-specific subject and grade requirements.
Important: this is indicative only
These conversions are estimates. An official grade conversion requires a formal credential evaluation, and each university makes its own admission decision. See our credential evaluation and ECTS credits guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing grade in the Dutch system?
The Netherlands uses a 1–10 scale where 5.5 is the minimum pass. Grades cluster between 6 and 8; a 9 is rare and a 10 is almost never awarded.
How do Jamaica grades convert to the Dutch scale?
CAPE results use Grades I-VII, with Grade I the highest; CSEC uses Grades I-VI. For CAPE, CXC states that Grades I-V are acceptable for further study, while the Dutch scale runs from 1 to 10 with 5.5 as the minimum pass. The table on this page maps each band of the CAPE/CSEC grades (I highest) system to its indicative Dutch 1–10 equivalent.
What grade do I need for admission to a Dutch university from Jamaica?
For Dutch bachelor admission, Jamaican applicants are usually assessed on a combination of CSEC subjects and CAPE units in relevant subjects. WES describes CAPE as comparable to British A levels and other strong university-preparatory qualifications, but Dutch universities set programme-specific subject and grade requirements.
Is this conversion official?
No. These figures are indicative. An official conversion requires a credential evaluation — see our credential-evaluation guide. Universities make the final decision.
What is the highest band (CAPE Grade I) worth in Dutch grades?
A CAPE Grade I result corresponds to roughly a Dutch 8–8.5 (excellent).
Sources: World Education Services / CXC — WES Statement on CSEC and CAPE — https://www.cxc.org/wes-statement/; Caribbean Examinations Council — CAPE grading scheme — https://www.cxc.org/examinations/cape/; Caribbean Examinations Council Support — What grades are pass grades for CAPE? — https://support.cxc.org/support/solutions/articles/6000094981-what-grades-are-pass-grades-for-cape-; Caribbean Examinations Council — CSEC grading scheme — https://www.cxc.org/examinations/csec-2/; University of the West Indies, Mona — GPA Scheme — https://www.mona.uwi.edu/fst/fst/gpa-scheme