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 hours of each course.

2. How GPA is Calculated

The standard GPA calculation formula is:

Where:

• \( grade\_points \) — Numerical value of the letter grade (A=4.0, A-=3.7, etc.)
• \( credits \) — Credit hours for the course
• \( total\_credits \) — Sum of all course credits

Example: If you got 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. It provides a standardized way to compare academic performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Steps:

1. Enter the number of courses you want to include
2. For each course, select your letter grade and enter the credit hours
3. Click "Calculate GPA" to see your weighted average

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good GPA?
A: Typically, 3.5+ is good, 3.7+ is very good, and 3.9+ is excellent. Standards vary by institution and program.

Q2: How does +/- grading affect GPA?
A: Plus grades add 0.3 to the base grade point (except A+ which is usually still 4.0). Minus grades subtract 0.3.

Q3: Can I calculate cumulative GPA?
A: Yes, include all courses from all semesters with their grades and credit hours.

Q4: How do pass/fail courses affect GPA?
A: Typically, pass/fail courses don't affect GPA - they're either not included or count as neutral.

Q5: What's the difference between semester and cumulative GPA?
A: Semester GPA includes only one term's grades, while cumulative GPA includes all terms.