Understanding Course Pass Rate
How we calculate. Pass % = passing grades ÷ attempts × 100. The form uses the same arithmetic as the worked examples on this page. See our methodology and accuracy policy.
Real-world scenario: A typical Course Pass Rate case uses passed 410 and attempted 500. Enter the same figures below to reproduce the worked path.
What is Course Pass Rate?
Academic success KPI complementary to DFW rates. Define the minimum passing grade (e.g. D vs C) per policy.
- Define pass threshold
- Attempts usually exclude withdrawals if policy says so—or include them
- Segment gateway courses
The Formula
Worked Example
Common Use Cases
- Curriculum reviews: hard courses
- Tutoring ROI: pass lift
- Equity analysis: outcome gaps
Pro Tips
- Publish the pass definition
- Pair with completion rate
- Watch grade inflation context
Limitations: Course Pass Rate results are educational institutional planning aids—not accreditation determinations or financial-aid advice. Confirm measure specs with your registrar and IR office.
FAQ
How does this relate to DFW?
DFW tracks D/F/W shares; pass rate tracks passing outcomes. They are related but not always exact complements.
What if attempted is 0?
Pass rate is undefined—check attempt counts.
Authoritative References
For education outcome measure context, consult:
- IPEDS / NCES — U.S. higher-ed data definitions
- U.S. Department of Education — federal education policy context
- UNESCO — global education indicators