1. What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance in college. It's calculated by averaging the grade points earned in all courses, weighted by the credit hours of each course.

2. How GPA is Calculated

The standard GPA calculation formula is:

Where:

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

Example: If you earn 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 applications, and many employment opportunities. Most colleges require a minimum GPA (often 2.0) to remain in good standing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

1. Add all your courses using the "Add Course" button
2. Select the letter grade you earned for each course
3. Enter the credit hours for each course (typically 3 or 4 for college courses)
4. Click "Calculate GPA" to see your cumulative GPA

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good GPA?
A: Typically, 3.5+ is excellent, 3.0-3.49 is good, 2.0-2.99 is average, and below 2.0 may put you on academic probation.

Q2: How does +/- grading affect GPA?
A: Plus grades add 0.3 points (except A+ which is still 4.0), minus grades subtract 0.3 points (except F which remains 0.0).

Q3: Do all colleges use the same GPA scale?
A: Most use 4.0 scale, but some use different scales (like 5.0 for honors/AP courses). Always check your institution's policy.

Q4: How can I improve my GPA?
A: Focus on doing well in current courses (they affect GPA more immediately) and consider retaking courses with poor grades if your school allows grade replacement.

Q5: What's the difference between cumulative and major GPA?
A: Cumulative includes all courses, while major GPA only includes courses in your declared major, often used for graduate school applications.