Compare all three: the mark, the grade, and the descriptor. The safest approach is to compare the complete result entry rather than relying on the grade label alone—match the mark to the published mark range, check the corresponding result code and name, and read the associated description.
What should be compared?
| Result part | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mark | The recorded mark and its published mark range | Shows which range contains the mark |
| Grade | The result code and result name | Identifies the exact published grade rather than an assumed equivalent |
| Descriptor | The description attached to that result | Provides the performance wording published with the grade |
The University of Sydney grade guide lists result code, result name, mark range and description together. That structure makes a grade comparison more complete: a matching grade name alone does not establish that the mark range or description also matches.
How to check an Australian result
- Locate the exact result entry in the relevant grade guide.
- Compare the recorded mark with the stated mark range.
- Check both the result code and result name; do not rely on a similar-looking label.
- Read the corresponding description for the full context of the published result.
- When comparing results from different institutions, do not assume that an identically named grade has the same code, mark range or description.
The University of Sydney also states that each faculty or school and unit of study has specific criteria for meeting the learning outcomes of that unit. The overall grade entry should therefore not be treated as a substitute for checking any relevant faculty, school or unit requirements.
What still needs separate confirmation
A grade comparison does not by itself establish accepted credit, course equivalence or the time cost of transferring schools or changing courses. The reader must still confirm those matters separately with the receiving institution.
The key rule is simple: compare the mark, full grade identification and descriptor together, then check the receiving institution’s current requirements before making a transfer or course-change decision.