1. What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance. It's calculated by averaging the grades obtained in all courses, weighted by the credit value of each course. The 4.0 scale is the most common grading system in the United States.

2. How GPA is Calculated

The GPA is calculated using the formula:

Where:

• Grade Points — Numerical value assigned to each letter grade (A=4.0, A-=3.7, etc.)
• Credits — The weight or credit hours assigned to each course

Example: If you get an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course and a B (3.0) in a 4-credit course, your GPA would be (4.0×3 + 3.0×4)/(3+4) = 3.43

3. Importance of GPA

Details: GPA is crucial for academic standing, scholarship eligibility, graduate school admissions, and sometimes employment opportunities. Many institutions require a minimum GPA to maintain good academic standing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Add all your courses using the "Add Course" button
• Select the letter grade for each course
• Enter the credit value for each course (typically 1-5 credits)
• The calculator automatically weights each course according to its credit value

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between cumulative GPA and term GPA?
A: Term GPA is for one semester/quarter, while cumulative GPA includes all courses taken throughout your academic career.

Q2: How do +/- grades affect GPA?
A: Plus grades add 0.3 to the base grade point (except A+ which remains 4.0), minus grades subtract 0.3 (except F which remains 0.0).

Q3: What is a good GPA?
A: Generally, 3.5+ is considered very good, 3.0-3.5 is good, and below 2.0 is often probationary status.

Q4: Do pass/fail courses affect GPA?
A: Typically no, they're either not included in GPA calculation or count as neutral (neither helping nor hurting).

Q5: How can I improve my GPA?
A: Focus on doing well in current/future courses (especially higher credit ones), retake courses with poor grades if allowed, and maintain consistent performance.