# Exam grades
Grades define how candidate performance is classified and how final results are awarded for an exam. Each grade represents a performance boundary based on a candidate’s overall score, helping you clearly determine outcomes such as Pass or Fail, or recognise higher levels of achievement.
Grades can be used on their own to set simple pass marks, or combined with other grading features to support more structured assessment models.
To learn more about configuring grading features, see:
* **Minimum scores and grade Order** – how score thresholds determine which grade is awarded
* **Section grades** – how performance can be evaluated within specific sections
* **Advanced grading criteria** – how additional requirements can be added to overall grades
{% hint style="info" %}
🧠 **Note**: Grades need to be in place to use certificates and resits. Certificates and resits can be configured to be issued regardless of grades
{% endhint %}
Use the docs below to learn about overall grades, section grades, and advanced grading criteria
{% content-ref url="../../../quizzes/creating-a-quiz/sections-1" %}
[sections-1](https://academy.synap.ac/doc/quizzes/creating-a-quiz/sections-1)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="../../../quizzes/creating-a-quiz/grades" %}
[grades](https://academy.synap.ac/doc/quizzes/creating-a-quiz/grades)
{% endcontent-ref %}
Depending on the boundaries and performance users are shown a message on whether they pass or fail. You can also keep track of all you exam candidate grades as attempts are finalised in the **Exam > Users table**
Grades from the exam users table
Learn more about viewing and navigating results below
{% content-ref url="../3.-configure/results" %}
[results](https://academy.synap.ac/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/3.-configure/results)
{% endcontent-ref %}
When a user achieves a grade it will either be a passing or a failing grade, depending on which they get they will then be shown different messages before their results page.
Example message for a student who has failed
Grades can also be configured to show on the student results page, using the results page configuration options on quizzes or exams.
{% content-ref url="../3.-configure/certificates" %}
[certificates](https://academy.synap.ac/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/3.-configure/certificates)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="../3.-configure/resits" %}
[resits](https://academy.synap.ac/doc/exams/create-and-manage-exams/3.-configure/resits)
{% endcontent-ref %}
---
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