@xwhiteray in scientific notation E+S wherein E denote for 10 and the S/+S is the exponent, assuming there's a numerical value of 1 on the left side of E, should be 1*10^S. If we assume of S as a constant since it is an exponent, then it doesn't make sense at all since the result will be a number/integer whereas the unit of rank of skill is in letter.
Also, that s*s*s*s*s*s*s*s*s*s = s^10: in this, it contradicts your statement with regards to scientific notation.
So i dont think scientific notation has anything to do with the rank.