Yes, a 97 is an A+ on the standard grading scale used by most American high schools and colleges. An A+ typically covers any percentage above 96%, so a 97 falls squarely in that range.
Where 97 Falls on the Grading Scale
On the most widely used grading scale, the top letter grades break down like this:
- A+: above 96%
- A: 93% to 95%
- A-: 90% to 92%
A 97 clears the A+ threshold comfortably. That said, not every school uses the same cutoffs. Some set the A+ floor at 97 or even 98, while others don’t award an A+ at all and cap their scale at a plain A. If your school’s specific grading policy matters to you (for class rank or GPA purposes), check the student handbook or syllabus for the exact ranges your institution uses.
How an A+ Affects Your GPA
Whether an A+ actually boosts your GPA depends on your school’s point system. On a standard 4.0 scale, both an A+ and an A are worth 4.0, so the plus sign is cosmetic. It looks great on your transcript but doesn’t change the math.
Some colleges use a 4.3 scale, where an A+ earns 4.33 grade points instead of the flat 4.0 you’d get for an A. On that scale, consistently earning A-plus grades can push your cumulative GPA above 4.0, which is impossible under the traditional system. Check whether your school caps GPA at 4.0 or allows values above it.
Does an A+ Matter for Graduate School?
If you’re thinking ahead to professional school applications, the answer varies by program. AMCAS, the application service for U.S. medical schools, treats an A+ the same as an A, assigning both a weight of 4.0. No GPA advantage there. LSAC, which processes law school applications, recalculates your GPA using its own conversion table, and its treatment of A-plus grades can differ from your school’s.
Even when an A+ doesn’t change your calculated GPA, admissions committees still see the actual grades on your transcript. A string of A-plus marks signals consistent excellence, which can matter in competitive applicant pools where many candidates share the same 4.0.
What Counts as an A+ in Other Countries
If you’re comparing grades internationally, the thresholds shift. In the Canadian university system, an A+ also corresponds to a 4.0 GPA and generally requires scores in the 90% to 100% range, depending on the province and institution. In the UK system, universities don’t use letter grades at all. A mark of 70% or above earns a First Class Honours, which is roughly equivalent to an A or A+ in North American terms.