How to Calculate Grade Point Average and Improve Your Final Score

What is GPA: Definition

Your GPA, or Grade Point Average, is the number that indicates your average score you gained during the courses. In other words, GPA scale shows how good your grades are. GPA scale usually goes between 1.0 and 4.0. Before applying to the university, you should check whether your certificate average grade meets the requirements of the university. Most likely, the selection committee will pay attention to academic performance in specialized subjects and recount the GPA for verification. Therefore, it is recommended to provide only truthful information; otherwise, the commission will not consider your candidacy.

Grade Point Average: How to Calculate GPA?

So, let’s figure out how to calculate gpa. To calculate your grade point average, you will need grades for the courses you have taken and the number of credits/hours (in brackets).

The formula for GPA will look like this:

GPA = (grades*credits)/credits

For example:

Biology (100 hours) - A;
Mathematics (200 hours) - B;
Physics (70 hours) - A;
Computer science (80 hours) - C;
Chemistry (50 hours) - B.

First, translate the grades into the numerical grading system according to the following logic:

A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.

Biology (100 h.) - 4
Mathematics (200 h.) - 3
Physics (70 hours) - 4
Computer Science (80 hours) - 2
Chemistry (50 hours) - 4

Multiply the numerical grades by the number of hours for each course and totalize them:

4 * 100 + 3 * 200 + 4 * 70 + 2 * 80 + 4 * 50 = 1,644

Put together the total number of hours for all academic disciplines taken:

100 + 200 + 70 + 80 + 50 = 500

Divide the grade total (1,644) by the total number of hours (500):

1644/500 = 3.3

Your GPA = 3.3

So now you know how to use the equation for gpa.

How to Calculate Your GPA: Simple GPA

Getting a simple GPA is extremely easy. All you need to do is to convert the grades from the letter (A-F) system to the numeric one (4-0), add all of your grades together, and divide the sum by the number of classes you have taken. The result you get is your simple GPA.

Let’s look at the example:

How to Calculate Grade Point Average: Less Simple GPA

Some schools expand on the simple GPA by adding a + or – to your letter grade. These should be, of course, considered when calculating grade point average. It is a bit tricky, but we love the challenge. Let’s assume that A is a perfect 4.0 grade, then the new scale will look the following way:

GPA: Weighted and Unweighted

On the websites of top universities (Harvard, Stanford, etc.), you may come across a Weighted GPA. The main difference between weighted vs unweighted gpa is how the two are calculated:

• Unweighted GPA - the average score that doesn’t build on grade value;
• Weighted GPA - the average score that takes into account the complexity and depth of the academic disciplines.

Let’s take a look at average gpa example:
For example, Student 1 has an A for each of the following disciplines: Introduction to Microeconomics, Introduction to Sociology, and Introduction to Philosophy. Student 2 has an A for the full course consisting of the following three parts: Introduction to Microeconomics, Microeconomics (Level I), Microeconomics (Level II). Taking into account all the grades, the GPA of Student 1 will be higher, even if a grade has been skipped.

Weighted GPA: How to Calculate Overall GPA

If you want to figure out how to calculate college gpa, you should note that some schools and universities take into account the weight (credit hours) of the discipline and not only the grade. Thus, an A for a discipline with the pre-assigned value of 4 is different from an A for a course which has a value of 2.

Let’s imagine that your schedule looked something like this:

To find your weighted GPA by credit hours, do the following:

• Multiply each numeric grade value by the number of course credits;
• Add these numbers together;
• Divide the obtained result (45) by the total number of credits you took (13);
• Get a weighted GPA. Your Weighted by Credit Hour GPA = 3.46

Calculating Grade Point Average: Weighting a GPA with AP / IB / Honor Classes

Overachievers who take extra courses, have AP, Honors, or IB classes should have all these reflected in their grade point average. At this point, it is important to check with your school to find out the exact rules of GPA calculation (some students must take and score 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement exam for their grade to be weighted in their GPA).

As a rule, a scale looks like this:

Let’s compare the values of the AP vs. No-AP GPA’s:

How to Calculate GPA in College: Weighting a GPA with Credit Hours and AP / IB / Honors

When calculating average gpa, factoring in credit hours AND credits for AP classes will give us the following report card, which you can then use for grade average point calculation:

There is a lot to consider when calculating a GPA. A single mistake can cost you a lot. That’s why we strongly recommend you to check the requirements of the college/ university you are applying to. In some cases, it will be enough to provide an unweighted GPA, whereas some educational establishments consider weighted grade point average. Only in this case, you will know how to calculate it.

Calculating GPA: If GPA is Low

Even if you know how to calculate grade, not every entrant can boast of a high GPA, but this does not mean that one’s candidacy will be rejected. Of course, a low grade point average cannot be called a strong point of such an application, but one can put emphasis on other documents submitted to the selection committee. The GPA is only part of the application, which is considered together with other papers.

It is worth paying special attention to your essay and motivation letter, where you can explain the controversial moments of your academic past and reveal your strengths/ achievements. A low average mark should be diluted with your past achievements, whether it is a win in sports competitions, participation in volunteer projects, excellent term paper writing, etc.

How to Calculate Grade Point Average: Final Thoughts

If you want to make sure that you have a perfect final grade but have no clue how all these formulas work, then you are free to use this guide that explains all the details on how to calculate gpa.