The answer to the question "what grade is failing?" depends on the educational level and institution. In primary and secondary schools, a D is usually the lowest passing grade, but some schools consider a C the lowest passing grade, so the general standard is that anything below a 60% or 70% is failing, depending on the grading scale. In undergraduate programs, a D is typically the lowest passing grade, but passing may not be enough to fulfill graduation requirements. In college, the grading system is typically divided into five letter grades, A, B, C, D, and F. Each letter grade corresponds with a grade point average (GPA) and a numerical range. You’ll usually need to receive a letter grade between A and D to pass a class, often the numerical equivalent of 65 percent or higher. Receiving an F, which stands for “fail,” indicates that you did not pass the class. The cutoff to receive an F is usually 64 percent. In graduate programs, a C is commonly the lowest passing grade, and in some schools, pass/fail grading is used, meaning a passing grade is a C- or higher. It is important to note that different schools, programs, or classes may have different cutoff points for what they consider a passing grade, so it is best to check with the institution or professor for specific grading policies.