Can someone explain to me how to find your GPA on a 4.0 scale? I've tried looking it up but all I'm finding are calculators without any real explanation. Thanks!
Sure! Let's break it down.
Your GPA, or Grade Point Average, quantifies your academic performance on a standardized scale, most commonly of 0.0 to 4.0. To convert your grades into this scale, each course grade correlates to a numerical value. Here's how that typically breaks down:
- An "A" (90-100%): 4.0
- A "B" (80-89%): 3.0
- A "C" (70-79%): 2.0
- A "D" (60-69%): 1.0
- An "F" (below 60%): 0.0
If your school uses "+" or "-" with letter grades, a "+" usually adds 0.3 and a "-" subtracts 0.3, with the exception of an A+ often staying at 4.0.
To calculate your GPA, follow these steps:
1. Convert each of your grades into the corresponding number using the scale above.
2. Multiply that number by the credit hours for the course (if your school uses weighted GPAs, the course's weight factors in here). This will give you your "quality points" for each class.
3. Add up all the quality points.
4. Add up all your credit hours.
5. Divide your total quality points by your credit hours.
This will give you your GPA on a 4.0 scale. It's also worth remembering that GPA calculation methods can vary slightly between high schools and colleges, so this process may not apply exactly in every case. Check with your school counselor or advisor if you're unsure about your specific school's policies.
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