1. What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance on a 4.0 scale. It provides a standardized way to compare academic achievement across different courses and institutions.

2. How GPA is Calculated

The GPA is calculated using the following 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
• Total Credits - Sum of all credit hours attempted

Example: If you earned 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 many job opportunities. It serves as a quick indicator of overall academic performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

1. Select the letter grade you received for each course
2. Enter the credit hours for each course
3. Click "Add Course" to include additional courses
4. Click "Calculate GPA" to see your result

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good GPA?
A: Typically, 3.0+ is good, 3.5+ is very good, and 3.7+ is excellent. Standards vary by institution and program.

Q2: How does +/- grading affect GPA?
A: Plus/minus grades provide more granularity. For example, an A- (3.7) is better than B+ (3.3) but not as good as A (4.0).

Q3: Do all schools use the same grading scale?
A: No, some schools use different scales (e.g., 5.0 for honors/AP classes). This calculator uses a standard 4.0 scale.

Q4: How can I improve my GPA?
A: Focus on doing better in current/future courses. Retaking courses may help if your school replaces grades.

Q5: Does GPA include all courses?
A: Generally yes, though some schools may exclude certain courses (e.g., pass/fail) from GPA calculation.