Alright, so I've been trying to figure out my cumulative GPA for a while now, but I just get lost with all the different scales and stuff. Do I just add up all my yearly GPAs and divide by the number of years, or is there a more accurate way to do this? Also, how do AP classes factor into this calculation? Would really appreciate it if someone could break this down for me. Thanks!
Calculating your cumulative GPA can indeed be a bit confusing, and I'm here to help simplify it for you! Typically, a cumulative GPA is an average of your yearly GPAs. However, it's important to factor in the number of credits each class was worth, as not all classes may count equally towards your GPA. For example, a core subject like math is probably worth more credits than gym. This means you'll need to multiply each year’s GPA by the number of credits earned that year, add these numbers together, and then divide by the total number of credits.
As you suspected, AP classes often have a different weight because they are more rigorous - many schools use a 5.0 scale for an A in an AP class instead of the usual 4.0. When calculating, you’ll need to account for this by using the weighted scale. Let me give you an example: If you got an A in an AP class, you'd count that as 5.0 rather than 4.0 in your calculations.
If you're still feeling a little confused, CollegeVine's blog has some more tips about how to calculate your cumulative GPA: https://blog.collegevine.com/what-is-cumulative-gpa. However, every high school might have slightly different policies for calculating GPAs, including how they weigh AP classes, so it's best to consult with your school's guidance counselor or look at your school’s grading policies for the most accurate information. Good luck with your calculations!
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