The best data type for storing the names and grades of students depends on the specific requirements of the application. However, some common data types that can be used for this purpose are arrays, records, and graphs. Arrays can be used to store a list of names and grades in a single data structure, making it easy to access and manipulate the data. Records can be used to store the name and grade of each student as a separate entity, making it easy to search and sort the data. Graphs can be used to represent the relationships between students and their grades, making it easy to visualize the data. Ultimately, the choice of data type will depend on the specific needs of the application and the preferences of the developer.