Definition
A traditional assessment method in which a student's performance or written test result is measured against a fixed standard and assigned a score, mark, or letter (such as a percentage, pass/fail, or A–F) to indicate the level of achievement.
Plain English
Giving a student a score or mark that shows how well they did compared to a set standard.
Context Anchor
Seen in instructor assessments, lesson records, stage checks, and training discussions about whether a learner met the expected standard.
Derivation
From the Latin 'gradus,' meaning 'step' or 'degree.' The idea is that a grade shows which step or level of achievement the student has reached.
Why Pilots Care
Consistent grading lets instructors give accurate feedback so students know exactly what to improve before advancing to more complex maneuvers or solo flight.
Intuition Check
Grading does not mean judging the person. In this context, it means judging the performance against a stated aviation training standard.
Example Sentence 1
After the written exam, the instructor spent the afternoon grading each student's answer sheet against the answer key.
Example Sentence 2
During the end-of-lesson review the student examined the grading sheet to see which maneuvers needed more practice before the next flight.