Hitman Absolution rating system explained

The ratings in Absolution work pretty differently from the other games as getting Silent Assassin is not possible in most levels. There are also separate ratings given for each checkpoint and the final score screen. To my knowledge the rating shown on the score screen is somehow based on the average of the rating on each checkpoint. Here's how getting the best ratings on each checkpoint works:

• Checkpoints with targets in them (Max rating: Silent Assassin) Only kill the target and not get spotted.

• Checkpoints with no targets in them (Max rating: Shadow) Most checkpoints have an item called Evidence in them. If there are no targets in a checkpoint but there is evidence, then you must get it. You are also not allowed to kill anyone, get spotted and if you knock someone out you must hide the body.

• Checkpoints with no targets or evidence in them (Max rating: Specialist) Don't get spotted, don't kill anyone. No need to hide unconscious bodies. Checkpoints: Burning Hotel, Dressing Room.

• Gun Shop -checkpoint (Max rating: Veteran) There is evidence in this checkpoint but the level is glitched so that the best rating possible is Veteran. Because of this you can skip getting the evidence and even kill NPCs and still get the max rating.

• Unrated checkpoints There are several checkpoints where you don't get rated at all. In these, anything goes. Checkpoints: Garden, Greenhouse, Mansion 2nd Floor, Pigeon Coop, Loading Area, Victoria's Ward, The Desert, Holding Cells, Tailor Shop.

UPDATE: You can use fiber wire or silent kills to kill non-targets and hide their bodies and still get the max rating.

Guide originally by Kotti (here), but moved here in case the forum is down or the guide is otherwise inaccessible.