Is a Merit a Good Grade

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You might be thinking, “But my friend Frank got a Distinction, and now he’s insufferable at parties.” First, Frank is always insufferable. Second, a Merit is absolutely good if you’re trying to get into a decent college or land a first job. Most employers don’t ask for your kindergarten report card; they want to know if you can show up on time and not set the printer on fire. A Merit proves you can do both.

However, let’s not pretend Merits are the same as As. If you’re applying to Oxford to study rocket surgery, you’ll need that A. But for 90% of life—being a nurse, a teacher, a meme curator—a Merit is the sweet spot. It’s the Goldilocks of grades: not too hot, not too cold, just right for a good night’s sleep.

A-Levels Grading System | Guide for Students | 21K School

The Secret History of Merit Marks

Did you know the word “Merit” comes from the Latin meritum, meaning “deserved reward”? So, literally, a Merit means you deserve something. That’s actually kind of warm and fuzzy. In the 19th century, schools used “Merit” to denote students who didn’t cheat or fall asleep. It was the original “no-nonsense” grade. Imagine: If Abraham Lincoln got Merits, he’d probably have written the Gettysburg Address on a napkin and still passed.

Also, in some European countries, a “Merit” is the highest grade possible. There’s a school in Finland where a Merit is literally called “Excellent.” So, if you ever feel bad about a Merit, just pretend you’re Finnish. Suddenly, it means you’re a genius in a sauna. That’s what I call a mental hack.