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Three Methods:Using Simple GPA CalculationGPA Calculation Weighted by Credit HoursCalculating GPA Using Excel

Grade point average (GPA) is a raw score average based on the letter grades you make each semester. Each letter grade is assigned a numerical value from 0-4 or 5 points, depending on your institution's scale. Schools also look at cumulative GPAs when you apply to college or graduation.[1] Unfortunately there is no universal way to calculate GPA. Indeed, GPA calculation methods vary by country and by institution, as some give extra points for honors classes, and some weigh scores by units. However, with the basics and a few of the more common GPA calculation methods, you can hopefully get a fair idea of your GPA.

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EditMethod 1 of 3: Using Simple GPA Calculation

  1. Calculate GPA Step 1.jpg
    1
    Find a grading scale. The most common grading scale for schools in the United States is a four point scale. Using this scale, a grade of A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, and F = 0 points. This is called an unweighted GPA.[2] Some schools use a weighted GPA, which allots 5 points for more rigorous classes, such as honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB). Other classes are weighted the same.[3] Students who take the 5-point classes can end up with GPAs above a 4.0.
    • In some schools, an A+ is worth more than a regular A. In other schools, plus and minus grades differ. For instance, a B+ is worth 3.3, a B is worth 3.0, and a B- is worth 2.7 points.[4]
    • If you’re unsure what your school uses, try asking your teacher or an administrator.
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  2. Calculate GPA Step 2.jpg
    2
    Collect the most recent grades you can by asking your teacher, an office administrator, or registrar. You might also be able to figure out what grades you've received by going back over old report cards or transcripts.
    • You want to collect the final grades for each of your classes. Individual class grades, midterm grades, or grades on mid-semester report cards do not count. Only final grades for the semester, term, or quarter factor into your GPA.
  3. Calculate GPA Step 3.jpg
    3
    Record the point value for each grade. Write down the correct point value next to each grade using the four-point scale. So, if you have an A- in a class, record a 3.7; if you have a C+, record a 2.3.
    • For easy reference, use this chart from the College Board to help assign the correct 4.0-scale value.
  4. Calculate GPA Step 4.jpg
    4
    Add up all the values of your grades. After recording the scores for your grades, add the values up. So, let's say you received an A- in Biology, a B+ in English, and an B- in Economics. You'd add up the totals in the following way: 3.7 + 3.3 + 2.7 = 9.7.
  5. Calculate GPA Step 5.jpg
    5
    Take this final number and divide it by the number of classes you are taking. If you have a value of 9.7 on a 4-point scale for three classes, you will calculate the GPA using the following equation: 9.7 / 3 = 3.2. You have a GPA of 3.2.

EditMethod 2 of 3: GPA Calculation Weighted by Credit Hours

  1. 1
    Determine the number of credits. For some schools, especially college courses, each course has a number of credit hours. Credit hours are units schools use to measure the work load. Generally, credit hours are based on mode of instruction, number of hours spent inside the classroom, and number of hours spent studying outside the class.[5][6] Find out the number of credit hours assigned to each course you are taking. It should be listed on your transcripts or in the school catalogue.
    • Some schools mostly offer 3 credit hour courses, other colleges 4 credit hour courses, and some schools do a mixture. For many schools, labs are 1 hour.
    • If you cannot find the credit hours for each of your courses, talk to an adminstrator or the registrar.
  2. Calculate GPA Step 6.jpg
    2
    Assign the appropriate scale value for each letter grade. Use the common 4-point GPA scale to assign the values: A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, and F = 0 points.
    • If your school allots 5 points for upper level classes, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB), you will be using a weighted GPA scale.
    • If you have an A- in a class, mark it as 3.7. Match up each letter grade with its scale value and write it next to the grade, decreasing by .3 for each mark (e.g. B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7).
  3. Calculate GPA Step 7.jpg
    3
    Calculate the separate scores. To find the GPA, you must do a little bit of math to determine the different values for the scores that go into the overall GPA.
    • Start by multiplying each scale value grade by the number of credit hours to get the grade points. For example, if you made a B in a 3 credit hour class, you would multiply the scale value of 3 for the B by 3 credit hours, which gives you 9 grade points for that class.
    • Then, add the number of credit hours together to get the total credits. If you took 4 classes that were 3 credit hours each, you will have a total of 12 credit hours.
    • Add the grade points together to calculate the total grade points.
    • At this point, you should have two values: a total grade points value, and a total credit hours value.
  4. Calculate GPA Step 10.jpg
    4
    Divide the grade points total by the credit total. For example, if you have a total of 45.4 grade points in a total of 15.5 credit hours, you would have the following math problem: 45.4 / 15.5 = 2.92. Your credit hour-weighted GPA is 2.92.

EditMethod 3 of 3: Calculating GPA Using Excel

  1. Periods and grades.png
    1
    Set up your initial columns. In the A column, type in the names or numbers of the subjects you're taking. In the B column, type in the grades you want to factor into your GPA.
  2. 2
    For column C, input the scale values. Determine the numerical scale values of the grades you are inputting. To complete this step, you will have to decide if your school uses a weighted or unweighted GPA scale.
    • The common 4-point GPA scale is as follows: A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, and F = 0 points. If your school uses a weighted GPA scale, they allot 5 points for upper level classes. Ask an admistrator, teacher, or registrar for this information. You can also look on your report card or final grade sheets.
    • Each letter grade decreases by .3 for each lower plus or minus mark. For example, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7.
  3. Equals sign.png
    3
    Type an equals signinto the first cell of column D. The equal sign looks like this: =. All excel equations begin with an equals sign, so you should use one every time you do a new calculation.
  4. =(C1.png
    4
    In the same cell, type an open parenthesis. The open parenthesis looks like this: (. This should be done right after the equal sign in the first cell of column D. Then, click on the first value in your C column. It will add C1 to the cell in column D.
    • Your equation should now say "=(C1".
  5. =(C1 C2.png
    5
    Add a plus sign. In the same cell, right after the C1, type in a plus sign. Then, click on the second value in your C column.
    • Your equation should now say "=(C1+C2".
  6. All numbers.png
    6
    Continue adding the numbers in column C. Click each C column value. This should input the C value into the equation in the first cell of column D. When you have selected all of them, type a closed parenthesis. The closed parenthesis looks like this: ).
    • Make sure to add a plus sign between each C column value. If you do not add a plus sign, it will overwrite the previous value instead of adding them together.
  7. Divide by 6.png
    7
    Divide this quantity by the number of classes you are taking. To do this, start by typing a forward slash. Then type in the appropriate number of courses for which you are calculating the grade.
    • The forward slash looks like this: /.
    • If you are taking 3 classes, divide by 3. If you are taking 6 classes, divide by 6.
  8. Final gpa.png
    8
    Press the Enter key. You should be greeted with a single number in the D column, which is your final calculated GPA.
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EditTips

  • Universities often provide special tests for those who cannot calculate a GPA of any currency due to length of time between high school and college admittance. Inquire at you college of interest for more details.
  • Most report cards or student records have semester, quarter, or term GPAs listed. Sometimes, they will also list cumulative GPAs.
  • Many colleges and universities offer online GPA calculating tools, which calculate your GPA for you after you plug in grades, credit hours, and other additional information.
  • Note that although most schools will only calculate out to 1 decimal point, others may calculate to 2 decimal points. With 2 decimal points, an A- is 3.67, a B+ 3.33; with 1 decimal point an A- is 3.7, a B+ 3.3. Ask your school if you are unsure which way they calculate the grades.
  • Some universities also take Sessional Grade Point Average (SGPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) into consideration. You can use the same methods listed above to calculate these scores. The difference will be that SGPA and CGPA will have more grades and credit hours factored into the overall GPA.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Recent grades
  • A pen and paper
  • A calculator
  • Microsoft Excel (optional)

EditSources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/BAD94AE7/What-is-a-GPA/
  2. ↑ http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/hsts/howgpa.asp
  3. ↑ http://www.fcps.org/cms/lib02/MD01000577/Centricity/Domain/28/UnderstandingGPAs.pdf
  4. ↑ http://www.collegeboard.com/html/academicTracker-howtoconvert.html
  5. ↑ https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/academicprogrammgmnt/related-curriculum-topics/credit-hour-guidance
  6. ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/registrar/pdf/Credit_Hour_Guidelines.pdf


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