Have you ever stared at your report card and thought, “Wait a second… we’ve got A, B, C, D, and F — but where did E go?” You’re not alone. This question has puzzled students (and parents) for decades. Why are there no E grades in school?
Did someone skip a letter for fun? Is it some secret educational rule? Let’s unravel this curious mystery together. The answer is more interesting and human than you might expect.
The A-B-C-D-F Grading Scale
Before we solve the E-grade mystery, let’s look at what we do have:
- A – Excellent
- B – Good
- C – Average
- D – Below Average
- F – Failing
So, why jump from D to F and leave out E? Isn’t that like skipping a step on the staircase?
It turns out that this wasn’t always the case. The story of the missing E takes us back over 100 years and reveals some surprising truths about how schools communicate, motivate, and sometimes… confuse.
A Short History Lesson
Believe it or not, letter grades are a relatively modern invention. In the 19th century, schools used various grading systems: percentages, rankings, and descriptive comments like “satisfactory” or “needs improvement.”
The letter grading system didn’t become widespread until the early 1900s. In those early days, some schools did use an “E” grade, but not for long.
Here’s what happened.
Why E Was Eliminated: The Real Reasons
1. E Looked Too Much Like “Excellent”
Imagine getting an “E” on your test. What would you think it meant?
- “Excellent?”
- “Eh, you tried?”
- “Error?”
This was a significant concern. Students and parents alike often misunderstand the letter E. Some even assumed it was a good grade, similar to “A for Awesome” or “E for Excellent.”
Schools dropped E entirely to avoid confusion and went straight to F for Failing. It was clear, final, and unambiguous.
2. F = Fail (Simple and Direct)
While E was vague, F had a more potent emotional punch. It communicated the message loud and clear: you didn’t pass.
It also mirrored other uses of “F” in society:
- F for Fail on military inspections
- F grade in college = no credit
- Even the word “fail” starts with F
So when motivating students, students, or warning them, , F was far more effective than E.
3. Psychology and Perception
Educators realized something important: students respond emotionally to grades. And if they’re confused or misled, it hurts motivation and performance.
By skipping E, the system became simpler:
- A-D are passing (with decreasing value)
- F is failing
- Nothing in between to blur the line
This made grading psychologically clearer and easier to manage across different schools and teachers.
The Hidden Psychology of Grades
Grades are more than just letters—they’re powerful symbols. They:
- Shape self-esteem
- Motivate or discourage
- Define expectations
- Communicate performance quickly
And in a system where millions of students rely on a standardized scale, simplicity and clarity are key.
So when we ask why there are no “E” grades in school, the deeper answer is: to eliminate confusion and strengthen communication.
Are There Still Schools That Use “E”?
You might be surprised to learn that some schools still use E—but not as a failing grade.
In some primary or alternative education systems:
- E = Excellent
- S = Satisfactory
- N = Needs Improvement
- U = Unsatisfactory
But in traditional A–F scales, E is extinct.
College Grading: E is a Ghost There Too
Most U.S. colleges also skip E. A few universities (like Michigan) used to give an E for failing, but over time, they even replaced it with an F to stay consistent with national standards.
Today, E has disappeared from higher education, especially on any scale where F is already understood as failing.
Why Not Just Use A–F with Equal Gaps?
You might be wondering: if A is best and F is worst, shouldn’t we split the alphabet evenly?
- A = 90–100%
- B = 80–89%
- C = 70–79%
- D = 60–69%
- E = 50–59%
- F = Below 50%
That would make perfect logical sense.
Yes—but grading is about perception, not just logic. In reality:
- Many schools already consider D a failing grade
- Colleges often don’t give credit for D’s
- There’s a psychological weight to the word “fail” that E doesn’t carry
In short, the system evolved to be emotional, not mathematical.
Summary: Why There Are No E Grades in School
Let’s break it down simply:
- E was once used, but confused with “Excellent”
- F = Fail was more direct and emotionally effective
- The goal was to create a clear pass/fail system
- Schools and colleges dropped the E for simplicity and consistency
- Grades influence psychology, so clarity beats logic in the classroom
So, the next time you see an “F” on a report card, remember that it’s not because someone skipped a letter—it’s because someone thought about how you’d feel reading it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did schools ever use the letter E in grading?
Yes, some schools did use E in the early 1900s, but most dropped it to avoid confusion with “Excellent.”
Q: What does an F stand for in grades?
F typically stands for “Fail.” It indicates the student didn’t meet the minimum requirements.
Q: Why not use E for 50%–59%?
Because E was often misread or misunderstood, F is more universally recognized and emotionally impactful.
Q: Are there other grading systems without A–F?
Some schools use 1–5, percentage scores, narrative feedback, or even emojis in early education. However, A–F is still the most widespread system in the U.S.
Final Thought
It’s funny how something small as one letter can make such a big difference.
Why are there no “E” grades in school? Because letters carry emotion, not just information. And in education, how a student feels about their grade can shape their confidence, future choices, and self-worth.
The system may not be perfect, but every part of it, even the missing letters, has a reason.
So next time someone asks why we jump from D to F, you’ll have a story to tell—and maybe even a little respect for the mysterious missing “E.”
