Calculating Calculating Your GPAYour GPA

By Tara L. Davis 2008By Tara L. Davis 2008

For use with the lesson and handout: “Calculating Your GPA”Images used for educational purposes only.

What is a GPA?What is a GPA? GPA is the average of the grades for all GPA is the average of the grades for all

classes taken.classes taken. Letter grades are assigned decimal values Letter grades are assigned decimal values

called quality points.called quality points. The GPA is calculated from the number of The GPA is calculated from the number of

hours the class is taken multiplied by the points hours the class is taken multiplied by the points earned (quality points).earned (quality points).

GPA is similar across colleges but may differ GPA is similar across colleges but may differ slightly.slightly.

Semester GPA is the average of a current Semester GPA is the average of a current semester’s classes.semester’s classes.

Cumulative GPA is the average of all Cumulative GPA is the average of all semesters.semesters.

Transfers and scholarships may have Transfers and scholarships may have minimum GPA requirements.minimum GPA requirements.

Quality PointsQuality PointsAA 4.004.00

A-A- 3.703.70

B+B+ 3.303.30

BB 3.003.00

B-B- 2.702.70

C+C+ 2.302.30

CC 2.002.00

C-C- 1.701.70

D+D+ 1.301.30

DD 1.001.00

D-D- 0.700.70

FF 0.000.00

Calculating GPACalculating GPA Use the handout to learn how Use the handout to learn how

to calculate a GPA.to calculate a GPA.

There are spaces to fill in:There are spaces to fill in: semester and year.semester and year. the name of the course.the name of the course. the actual or expected grade.the actual or expected grade. the value of the letter grade.the value of the letter grade. the number of hours the class the number of hours the class

meets per week.meets per week.

When multiplying and adding, When multiplying and adding, do not include the sample in do not include the sample in your totals tally!your totals tally!

Divide total points by the total Divide total points by the total credits and that is your GPA.credits and that is your GPA.

Sample Student Sample Student GPAGPA

Calculate Paula’s GPA for Semester 1Calculate Paula’s GPA for Semester 1

Calculate Paula’s GPA for Semester 2Calculate Paula’s GPA for Semester 2

Calculate the cumulative GPA for Semesters 1 and 2. Calculate the cumulative GPA for Semesters 1 and 2. Answer: (3.01)Answer: (3.01)

Can Paula maintain her cumulative GPA if she gets all C’s semester 3?Can Paula maintain her cumulative GPA if she gets all C’s semester 3? Answer: No, she will go down to a (2.50)Answer: No, she will go down to a (2.50)

What will Paula’s cumulative GPA be if she gets all A’s semester 3? What will Paula’s cumulative GPA be if she gets all A’s semester 3? Answer: (3.50)Answer: (3.50)

PaulaPaulaSemester 1Semester 1 Semester 2Semester 2 Semester 3Semester 3ORT 110 – B-ORT 110 – B-MAT 100 – A-MAT 100 – A-ENG 100 – C+ ENG 100 – C+

CIS 111 – ACIS 111 – AMAT 101 – B-MAT 101 – B-ENG 101 – B - ENG 101 – B -

SOC 101 – ?SOC 101 – ?MAT 102 – ?MAT 102 – ?ENG 102 – ? ENG 102 – ?

GPA = ?GPA = ?GPA = (2.90)GPA = (2.90) GPA = (3.13)GPA = (3.13)

Calculate Your GPACalculate Your GPA You should always know your Semester and Cumulative GPAs.You should always know your Semester and Cumulative GPAs.

Though this information is part of your online records and on a Though this information is part of your online records and on a transcript, learn how to do it by hand so you have the information transcript, learn how to do it by hand so you have the information even without a computer.even without a computer.

It is common for students to predict grades for the next semester It is common for students to predict grades for the next semester or the current semester to figure out:or the current semester to figure out: What minimum grades are needed in order to increase or What minimum grades are needed in order to increase or

maintain a GPA.maintain a GPA. How low their GPA might drop with a lower than desired grade How low their GPA might drop with a lower than desired grade

in one or more courses.in one or more courses.

Calculate your GPA now. Calculate your GPA now. If you have them, use grades from last semester. If you have them, use grades from last semester. If you have no grades, guess what grades you might get this term.If you have no grades, guess what grades you might get this term.

GPA Excel SheetGPA Excel Sheet For a personal electronic For a personal electronic

record, download the GPA record, download the GPA excel sheet.excel sheet. http://www.qcc.mass.edu/t3/ORT110/new0http://www.qcc.mass.edu/t3/ORT110/new05/QCC%20GPA%20Calculation%20Table5/QCC%20GPA%20Calculation%20Tables.xlss.xls

Fill it in the same way as Fill it in the same way as the handout. (green boxes)the handout. (green boxes)

Semester and cumulative Semester and cumulative GPA are calculated GPA are calculated automatically. (blue boxes) automatically. (blue boxes)

It also contains a “ what if” It also contains a “ what if” section for making section for making predictions about a future predictions about a future GPA. (orange boxes)GPA. (orange boxes)

Practice with Paula’s gradesPractice with Paula’s grades

Related LessonsRelated Lessons Lesson: Calculating Your GPALesson: Calculating Your GPA File: GPA Excel SheetFile: GPA Excel Sheet

SourcesSources GPA Table: GPA Table: http://myguide.dal.ca/images/gpa.gifhttp://myguide.dal.ca/images/gpa.gif Letter Grades: Letter Grades: http://mix6.com/images/letters.jpghttp://mix6.com/images/letters.jpg Other Images, GPA Calculation Table, and Excel Other Images, GPA Calculation Table, and Excel

Sheet by Tara L. DavisSheet by Tara L. Davis