Below is the guide I use for grading CDs/DVDs/Games I sell.

Grading Guide for CDs/DVDs/Games:

Poor (P) : CDs in this condition are a waste of a good jewel case.
Disc - the disc is badly scratched or otherwise damaged rendering it unplayable.
Covers - the booklet and inserts are missing,or are badly damaged by heavy creases,case dimple marks,writing,stains,water damage,and tears.

Good (G) : CDs in this condition are not worth much.
Disc - the disc is heavily scratched but can be played through without skipping.
Covers - the booklet and inserts are present but heavily worn,and may include heavy fingerprints,bent corners,smudges,creases,case dimple marks,and writing.

Very Good (VG) : CDs in this condition are more for listening to than collecting.
Disc - the disc has only very light scratches,but there may be quite a few of them.
Covers - the booklet and inserts are present and will have some but not all of the following: fingerprints,worn corners,smudges,creases,case dimple marks,and writing.

Excellent (EX) : CDs in this condition look used,but like they were taken good care of.
Disc - only a few very light scuffs can be seen when the disc is held at an angle to the light.
Covers - the booklet and inserts are present and have only a few very minor flaws such as a slight bend or light fingerprints.

Near Mint (NM) : CDs in this condition look like they were just opened and played once.
Disc - not even light scuffs are visible, even if the disc is held at an angle to the light.
Covers - the booklet and inserts are all present and look almost untouched.

Mint (M) : Compact discs in this condition are perfect in every way.
Disc - the compact disc has never been played and is probably still sealed.
Cover - the booklet and inserts are all present and are all crisp,clean,with no flaws at all. No fingerprints or other signs of handling are present.

The following can also be used.

NOTE: A plus or minus (+/-) may be attached to any grade.The plus indicates that it is slightly better than what it is graded but it is not as good as the next higher grade.
A minus indicates that it is slightly worse than the actual grade but not as bad as the next lower grade.