Grade Point Average
Understand Your Academic Progress
Your grade point average, or GPA, is one way schools summarize your academic performance over time.
Your GPA may be considered for college admission, scholarships, academic programs, athletics, honors, and other opportunities. Understanding how your GPA works can help you monitor your progress and make informed decisions throughout high school.
How Is GPA Calculated?
A GPA converts the grades you earn into grade points and uses those points to calculate an average.
A common unweighted scale uses:
- A = 4 points
- B = 3 points
- C = 2 points
- D = 1 point
- F = 0 points
However, GPA calculations vary by school.
Schools may use plus and minus grades, different grading scales, different credit values, or other methods. Some schools also give additional weight to advanced courses.
Because there isn't one universal method, talk with your school counselor or review your school's grading policy to understand exactly how your GPA is calculated.
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA
You may hear GPA described as weighted or unweighted.
Unweighted GPA
An unweighted GPA generally uses the same grade-point scale regardless of the difficulty or level of a course.
Weighted GPA
A weighted GPA may award additional grade points for certain advanced courses, such as honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or college-level courses.
Not every high school weights courses in the same way, and colleges may recalculate GPA using their own methods.
That's why your GPA is only one part of your academic record.
GPA Isn't the Whole Story
A GPA is useful, but one number doesn't tell everything about your high school experience.
Colleges and other programs may also consider factors such as:
- The courses you completed
- The rigor of your coursework
- Your academic progress over time
- College-credit or advanced coursework
- Activities and experiences
- Essays or other application materials
- Test scores when applicable
- Requirements for a particular program
Rather than focusing only on reaching a particular number, work toward a strong academic record that reflects both effort and appropriate academic challenge.
Why Your GPA Matters
Depending on your future plans, GPA may affect eligibility for:
College Admission
Some colleges or academic programs have minimum GPA requirements or consider GPA as part of the admission process.
Scholarships
Some scholarships require students to maintain a particular GPA to qualify or renew an award.
College Credit and Advanced Programs
Certain high school programs or college-credit opportunities may have academic eligibility requirements.
Athletics and Activities
Schools and athletic organizations may establish academic requirements for participation.
Financial Aid in College
Once you're enrolled in college, you'll need to meet your school's standards for satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for certain types of financial aid.
Keep Track of Your Progress
Don't wait until senior year to think about your GPA.
Review your grades and academic progress regularly. If your performance begins to slip, identify the problem early and ask for help.
Consider:
- Which subjects are strongest for you?
- Where are you struggling?
- Are missing assignments affecting your grades?
- Are your study habits working?
- Is your course load manageable?
- Are you using available academic resources?
- Do you understand what your teachers expect?
One difficult course or semester doesn't define your entire academic future. Focus on what you can do next.
Explore Ways to Improve Your Grades →
Balance Grades With Appropriate Challenge
It can be tempting to choose easier courses solely to protect your GPA.
Instead, work with your school counselor to create an academic plan that balances your strengths, interests, goals, and appropriate levels of challenge.
Colleges and programs may consider both how you performed and what you chose to study.
Know Your GPA
Because every school may calculate GPA differently, your school is the best source for your official GPA.
Talk with your school counselor if you have questions about:
- Your current GPA
- Weighted and unweighted GPA
- Class rank, if your school uses it
- How repeated courses are handled
- How college-level courses affect your GPA
- Academic requirements for graduation
- GPA requirements for programs or opportunities you're considering
Understanding where you stand can help you make a plan for where you want to go.
