Grading

A position on a scale of amount, quality, difficulty, or rank; can also refer to a flat horizontal surface or a tool to check if a surface is flat.

Adjective: occurring near the beginning of a period of time, process, or sequence; happening before the usual or expected time. Adverb: before the usual or expected time; near the beginning of a period.

A visible spot, sign, or trace left on something; a grade for academic work; a target or point of reference.