calificar
verbCEFR B1
What does “calificar” mean in English?
to grade, to mark
to grade, to mark (assign a numerical or letter score to work or an exam)
Example sentences
El trabajo final se califica según tres criterios: la calidad del argumento, el uso correcto del lenguaje y la presentación formal del texto.
The final assignment is graded according to three criteria: the quality of the argument, the correct use of language, and the formal presentation of the text.
No entiendo por qué me calificaron con un cuatro si el contenido era correcto; voy a pedir que el profesor me explique los criterios que usó.
I don't understand why they graded me with a four if the content was correct; I am going to ask the teacher to explain the criteria he used.
Calificar la expresión oral es más subjetivo que calificar un examen escrito, por lo que los profesores suelen usar rúbricas con indicadores muy claros.
Grading oral expression is more subjective than grading a written exam, which is why teachers usually use rubrics with very clear indicators.
How to use it
Calificar means 'to grade' or 'to give a mark/score' — it is the act of assigning a numerical or categorical value to a student's work. It is transitive: calificar el examen, calificar el trabajo, calificar con un sobresaliente. In Spain the grade system typically goes from 0–10 (suspenso 0–4, aprobado 5–6, notable 7–8, sobresaliente 9–10, matrícula de honor for exceptional work). Calificar differs from evaluar (broader assessment process) and corregir (marking/correcting individual errors). The noun calificación (mark, grade) is common on transcripts and official documents.
Common mistake
Calificar means to grade/score specifically. When English uses 'mark' for both correcting and grading, Spanish splits this: corregir = to mark (identify and correct errors); calificar = to grade (assign the final score). Also, calificar de + adjective exists in a different sense: 'lo calificaron de genial' (they called it genius-level) — this is a secondary sense learners sometimes confuse.