I'm trying to figure out my unweighted GPA without having to wait for my school to update my transcript. Does anyone know the exact steps to calculate it manually?
Absolutely, I can help you with that! Calculating your unweighted GPA is relatively straightforward.
Here’s what you should do: First, assign each of your final class grades a numeric value. Typically, schools in the United States use the following scale: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, and F = 0. If your school uses pluses and minuses, they might have slightly different values (such as a B+ being a 3.3). Then, add all of these values together and divide by the number of classes you've taken. This will give you your average on the 4.0 scale, which is your unweighted GPA.
Remember, this doesn't distinguish between AP or honors classes and regular classes—they're all taken into account equally in the unweighted GPA. Also, make sure you're only using final grades (not semester or quarterly grades) for each course.
I hope this helps clear things up! If you're ever unsure about the specifics of how your school might weigh plus and minus grades, be sure to check with your guidance counselor for the exact scale your school uses.
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