SACE to GPA: how the NCAA converts SACE grades
Updated 27 October 2026
The NCAA converts South Australian grades to US points with its own table: an A (17 to 20) is 4.0, a B (14 to 16) is 3.0, a C (11 to 13) is 2.0 and a D (8 to 10) is 1.0. An E is 0.0, the same as a fail. Your ATAR doesn't come into it.
The conversion table
These are the NCAA's conversions for South Australia, from its guide for Australian schools (September 2026).
| Grade | Meaning | US grade points |
|---|---|---|
| A (17 to 20) | Outstanding or Very High Achievement | 4.0 |
| B (14 to 16) | High Achievement | 3.0 |
| C (11 to 13) | Competent Achievement | 2.0 |
| D (8 to 10) | Marginal Achievement | 1.0 |
| E (3 to 7) | Low Achievement | 0.0 |
| 0 to 2 | Requirements Not Met | 0.0 |
SACE reports often show plus and minus grades. The NCAA's guide doesn't list them. AussieScout's calculator reads an A+ or an A- as an A, and so on. The NCAA Eligibility Center makes the final call.
Northern Territory students who finish with the SACE are assessed the same way. See the Northern Territory page.
Which SACE subjects count
Only core subjects count: English, maths, science, social sciences such as history, geography and legal studies, and a few others such as languages.
- Named as approved for South Australia: English Pathways, General Mathematics, Mathematical Applications, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics (Years 11 and 12), Nutrition (Stages 1 and 2, as science), Ancient Studies, Society and Culture, and Religion Studies, Studies in Religion and Spiritualities: Religion and Meaning.
- Named as not approved: Essential Mathematics, Essential English (Stage 1 or 2), the Personal Learning Project, Design and Technology, Physical Education and Commerce.
- Not core anywhere: art, music, drama, food subjects and VET certificates. They still count towards the NAIA's overall GPA.
Two catch families out. Essential Mathematics doesn't count in South Australia, even though it does in Queensland, Western Australia and the ACT. And the Personal Learning Project doesn't count, even though every SACE student does it. The full list is on the South Australia page.
A worked example
One semester of Stage 2 (Year 12) for a made up South Australian student:
| Subject | Grade | US grade points |
|---|---|---|
| English | B | 3.0 |
| Mathematical Methods | C | 2.0 |
| Chemistry | A | 4.0 |
| Modern History | B | 3.0 |
| Essential Mathematics | A | Doesn't count |
Four core subjects for one semester make 2 core courses. The core GPA for that semester is 3.0: (3 + 2 + 4 + 3) divided by 4. The NCAA does the same across every semester from Year 9 to Year 12.
Proof you finished school
The NCAA accepts the SACE with the Record of Achievement, and the Euka Assessed or University Pathway. It doesn't accept the ATAR or the Euka Assessment-free Pathway.
Work out yours
Put your grades into the GPA calculator. It uses the NCAA's South Australian table and shows your core GPA and core courses straight away. For why the ATAR doesn't count, see ATAR to GPA.
This is general guidance from the NCAA's published guide. Only the NCAA Eligibility Center can decide your eligibility.
Sources: NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards: South Australia (September 2026), NCAA initial eligibility requirements.