School Certificate Average

Written byOleh Soloninupdated 25 September 2026

School year

How to enter grades

Fives

Fours

Threes

Result

Average4.75
Rounded4.75
Subjects12
Top grades9
Second grades3
Third grades0
Honours
A standard certificate: honours in year 9 need top grades in every subject

Final grades, not term grades

The average across all final subject grades, the breakdown by grade, and how close the certificate is to being awarded with distinction.

This one is Russian by subject: the attestat is the school-leaving certificate issued at the end of year 9 and year 11, and its average is calculated from the final marks in every subject listed in the annex. Twelve top marks give exactly 5; eleven top marks and one second grade give 4.917.

Behind the arithmetic sits the question that actually matters — whether the certificate carries honours. The conditions differ by year, and they are set out in orders of the Russian Ministry of Education: order 546 for certificates, order 730 for medals.

Marks can go in two ways: as counts — how many fives, fours and threes — or as a list by subject, which is what you need when other marks appear too.

How to use

Choose the year, 9 or 11: the honours conditions are different.
Choose how to enter the marks: as counts or as a list.
Enter every subject that appears in the annex to the certificate.
Read off the average and the verdict on honours.

Twelve subjects, one second grade at a time

Every row is a calculator run over twelve subjects. It shows both what a single second grade costs the average and how far the year 9 and year 11 rules diverge.

Calculator runs over twelve subjects.
Marks	Average	Year 9	Year 11
12 fives	5	certificate with honours	red certificate and a first-class medal
11 fives, 1 four	4.917	standard	blue certificate and a second-class medal
10 fives, 2 fours	4.833	standard	blue certificate and a second-class medal
9 fives, 3 fours	4.75	standard	standard
9 fives, 2 fours, 1 three	4.667	standard	standard

Honours and medals

In year 9 a certificate with honours requires the top mark in every subject and the state final examinations passed at the first attempt.

Year 11 has two tiers. The red certificate with honours and the first-class medal need top marks throughout, the state examinations passed, and at least 70 points in Russian and one further subject; candidates who sit only Russian and basic mathematics need at least 70 in Russian and a 5 in basic mathematics. The blue certificate with honours and the second-class medal allow up to two second grades and set the same conditions at 60 points.

The average itself does not decide honours; the individual marks do. Nine fives and three fours average 4.75, which is high, and still produce a standard certificate in both years, because more than two subjects fall below the top mark.

What this calculator shows

The certificate average to two decimals
How many top, middling and low grades there are
How far the certificate is from being awarded with distinction

What to keep in mind

Every subject on the curriculum with a final grade counts, non-core subjects included.
The average does not appear on the certificate itself — it exists only for admissions, which compute it exactly this way.

FAQs

How is the certificate average calculated?

Add the final marks for every subject in the annex and divide by how many there are. Eleven fives and one four across twelve subjects give 4.917.

How many second grades are allowed for honours?

None in year 9: every subject has to carry the top mark. In year 11 up to two are allowed for the blue certificate with honours and the second-class medal.

What exam results does a medal require?

The first-class medal needs at least 70 points in Russian and in one further subject. Candidates who sit only Russian and basic mathematics need at least 70 in Russian and a 5 in basic mathematics. The second-class medal sets the same conditions at 60 points.

Does the average decide whether the certificate carries honours?

No — the individual marks do. Nine fives and three fours average 4.75 but produce a standard certificate in either year, because more than two subjects sit below the top mark.

What is the difference between the red and blue certificates?

They are two tiers of honours. The red one, with the first-class medal, requires top marks throughout and 70 exam points; the blue one, with the second-class medal, allows two second grades at 60 points.

Which subjects count towards the average?

All of those listed in the annex to the certificate, with their final marks. The number of subjects is not limited: the counts of 5s, 4s and 3s work for any number, and the list lets you enter each subject's mark separately.

What is the average used for?

Admission to colleges that rank applicants by it, and as a supplementary achievement at some universities. It has no bearing on honours, which is decided by the marks themselves.

Worked example

Twelve subjects with two second grades

Input: year 11, 10 fives and 2 fours

Output: average 4.833; blue certificate with honours and a second-class medal

Note: That also requires the state examinations passed with at least 60 points in Russian and one further subject.

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School Certificate Average

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