Definition
Merit value (meritvärde) is the sum of a student's 16 best final grades in year 9. Each grade corresponds to a point value:
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | 20 |
| B | 17.5 |
| C | 15 |
| D | 12.5 |
| E | 10 |
| F | 0 |
The maximum score is 320 (16 × 20). Students taking a modern language as an elective can receive a 17th grade, raising the maximum to 340 points.
Merit value is calculated by Skolverket (the Swedish National Agency for Education) and published as a school average — the mean merit value for all students at the school who completed year 9 that academic year.
Note that national test scores (NP) may deviate from the final grade. Skolverket publishes this deviation separately.
How to interpret
Always compare with reference values. A merit value alone says little without context. Compare with:
- The municipal average — how does the school perform compared to others in the same municipality?
- The national average — the overall average for all compulsory schools in Sweden.
- The SALSA score — the difference between actual and expected merit value given the students' socioeconomic background. A high merit value may be due to a favourable student composition, not necessarily good teaching.
Use multi-year averages. A single year's merit value can vary significantly, especially at small schools. Three- to five-year averages provide a more stable picture of school performance.
Combine with other indicators. Merit value should be read alongside teacher certification, school survey results and upper secondary eligibility for a more nuanced picture.
Common mistakes
- Comparing without regard to student composition. A school with a high merit value in an affluent area does not necessarily have better teaching than a school with a lower average in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area. Use the SALSA score for fairer comparisons.
- Confusing school average with individual merit value. Skolkoll shows the school's average merit value. Individual students may have significantly higher or lower scores.
- Assuming high merit value = good teaching. High merit values can result from selection effects (e.g. competitive admissions or a catchment area with highly educated parents).
- Ignoring statistical confidentiality. When a school is missing merit value data (shown as "—"), it is usually because fewer than 15 students completed year 9, not because results were poor.