GPA Calculation Formula
GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Hours
Grade Points = Grade Point Value × Credit Hours for each course
Step-by-Step GPA Calculation
Step 1: Assign Grade Points
Convert each letter grade to grade points:
- • A / A+ = 4.0
- • A- = 3.7
- • B+ = 3.3
- • B = 3.0
- • B- = 2.7
- • C+ = 2.3
- • C = 2.0
- • D = 1.0
- • F = 0.0
Step 2: Multiply by Credit Hours
For each course, multiply the grade points by the credit hours to get quality points.
Quality Points = Grade Points × Credit Hours
Step 3: Add All Quality Points
Sum up all the quality points from all your courses.
Step 4: Add All Credit Hours
Sum up all credit hours from all your courses.
Step 5: Divide to Get GPA
Divide total quality points by total credit hours.
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Hours
Example GPA Calculation
Sample Semester Courses:
| Course | Credits | Grade | Points | Quality Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus | 4 | A | 4.0 | 16.0 |
| English | 3 | B+ | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| Chemistry | 4 | B | 3.0 | 12.0 |
| History | 3 | A- | 3.7 | 11.1 |
| TOTALS | 14 | - | - | 49.0 |
GPA = 49.0 ÷ 14 = 3.5
Calculating Cumulative GPA
To calculate cumulative GPA across multiple semesters:
- Calculate total quality points from ALL semesters
- Calculate total credit hours from ALL semesters
- Divide total quality points by total credit hours
Quick Method for Cumulative GPA:
New Cumulative GPA = (Current GPA × Current Credits + New Semester Points) ÷ (Current Credits + New Credits)
Weighted GPA Calculation
For weighted GPA (AP, IB, Honors classes), add 1.0 to the grade points:
- A in AP class = 5.0 (instead of 4.0)
- B in Honors class = 4.0 (instead of 3.0)
- C in IB class = 3.0 (instead of 2.0)
Common GPA Calculation Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Forgetting to Include All Grades
Every grade counts! Don't forget labs, participation, or extra credit assignments.
❌ Using Wrong Credit Hours
Double-check credit hours. A 3-credit class weighted equally to a 1-credit lab will give wrong results.
❌ Mixing Weighted and Unweighted Scales
Don't mix AP (5.0 scale) grades with regular (4.0 scale) grades without proper weighting.
GPA Calculation Tips by Country
🇺🇸 United States
- • 4.0 scale is most common
- • Plus/minus grades: A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3
- • Weighted GPA for AP/IB/Honors
- • Credit hours vary by course
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- • Classification system: 1st, 2:1, 2:2, 3rd
- • Percentage-based often
- • No credit hour system
- • Final year heavily weighted
🇨🇦 Canada
- • 4.0 scale with letter grades
- • Varies by province
- • Some universities use 9-point scale
- • GPA less emphasized than US
🇦🇺 Australia
- • 7-point scale (HD, D, Cr, P, F)
- • High Distinction = 7.0
- • Weighted average system
- • Grade Point Average less common
GPA Conversion Charts
Different schools use different grading scales. Here's how to convert between common systems:
| Letter Grade | 4.0 Scale | Percentage | UK Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| A / A+ | 4.0 | 90-100% | First Class |
| A- | 3.7 | 85-89% | Upper Second |
| B+ | 3.3 | 80-84% | Upper Second |
| B | 3.0 | 75-79% | Lower Second |
| B- | 2.7 | 70-74% | Lower Second |
| C+ | 2.3 | 65-69% | Third Class |
| C | 2.0 | 60-64% | Third Class |
| D | 1.0 | 50-59% | Pass |
| F | 0.0 | 0-49% | Fail |
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