Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is one of the most important numbers in your academic life. It affects college admissions, scholarships, graduate school applications, and even some job applications. Yet most students don't actually know how it's calculated.
The GPA Scale
Most schools use a 4.0 scale:
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
Step-by-Step GPA Calculation
Step 1: Convert each letter grade to its point value.
Step 2: Multiply each grade's point value by the number of credit hours for that class.
Step 3: Add up all the quality points (grade × credits).
Step 4: Divide by total credit hours.
Example Semester
English (3 credits) — A (4.0) → 3 × 4.0 = 12.0
Math (4 credits) — B+ (3.3) → 4 × 3.3 = 13.2
History (3 credits) — A- (3.7) → 3 × 3.7 = 11.1
Science (4 credits) — B (3.0) → 4 × 3.0 = 12.0
Art (2 credits) — A (4.0) → 2 × 4.0 = 8.0
Total quality points: 56.3
Total credit hours: 16
GPA: 56.3 ÷ 16 = 3.52
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA
Unweighted GPA uses the standard 4.0 scale for all classes. An A in AP Chemistry and an A in regular art both count as 4.0.
Weighted GPA gives extra points for harder classes. Typically, AP/IB classes get a 5.0 scale (an A = 5.0) and honors classes get a 4.5 scale. This rewards students who take challenging courses.
💡 Which Do Colleges Look At?
Most colleges recalculate your GPA using their own system. They care about your grades in context — did you take the hardest classes available to you? A 3.5 in all AP classes often looks better than a 4.0 in all easy classes.
Cumulative GPA vs. Semester GPA
Semester GPA: Your average for just one semester. Useful for tracking trends.
Cumulative GPA: Your average across all semesters. This is the number on your transcript that colleges and employers see. It's harder to move the more semesters you've completed — one bad class in freshman year still affects your cumulative GPA as a senior.
How to Raise Your GPA
Focus on high-credit courses. A 4-credit class affects your GPA twice as much as a 2-credit class. Getting an A in a 4-credit course is worth more than an A in a 2-credit elective.
Retake classes if your school allows it. Many colleges let you retake a class and replace the old grade. Turning a D into a B is a massive GPA boost.
Don't neglect easy classes. An avoidable B in an "easy" class hurts just as much as a B anywhere else.
Use office hours and tutoring. The difference between a B+ and an A- is often just a few percentage points. Getting help early can push borderline grades up.
Calculate Your GPA Instantly
GPA Calculator
Enter your classes and grades to calculate your semester and cumulative GPA.
The Bottom Line
Understanding how your GPA works gives you power to improve it strategically. Focus on high-credit courses, seek help early, and remember that consistency matters more than perfection. Every semester is an opportunity to move the needle.