How GPA is calculated
Each letter grade has a point value. Multiply the points by the class's credit hours, add them up, and divide by the total credits.
Example: an A in a 3-credit class (12 points) and a B+ in a 4-credit class (13.2 points) give 25.2 points over 7 credits, a 3.60 GPA.
4.0 grade scale
| Letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
Weighted GPA
Many high schools add 0.5 points for honors classes and 1.0 point for AP or IB classes, so an A in an AP class counts as 5.0. Colleges often recalculate GPA their own way, so report the GPA your school lists on your transcript.
Frequently asked questions
How do I raise my cumulative GPA?
Classes with more credits move your GPA the most. The more credits you've already earned, the more good grades it takes to move the average, so improvements are easiest early on.
Do pass/fail classes count?
Usually not. Pass/fail and withdrawn classes are typically left out of GPA, so don't enter them here.
Is an A+ worth more than 4.0?
At most schools an A+ is 4.0, the same as an A. A few use 4.3. Check your school's policy.