Hello, I've been trying to figure out my weighted GPA, but I'm kinda lost. Can anyone walk me through the process or recommend an online calculator that I could use? I want to make sure I do it right. Thanks!
Calculating your weighted GPA is fairly straightforward if you follow these steps:
1. Assign a numerical value to each letter grade: Each letter grade is given a numerical value based on your school's scale. Common scales are 4.0, 5.0, or 6.0, but yours may be different. For example, on a 4.0 scale, an A is worth 4 points, a B is worth 3 points, etc. Check with your school's guidance counselor for the specific scale your school uses, as this can differ.
2. Assign extra weight based on course difficulty: Determine the weight the course holds based on the difficulty level—e.g., regular, honors, AP/IB. For example, on a 5.0 scale, an A in a regular course is worth 4 points, an A in an honors course is worth 4.5 points, and an A in an AP/IB course is worth 5 points. Confirm with your school how they assign additional points for course difficulty.
3. Multiply each value by the course's credit hours: Typically, classes are worth 1 credit per class/hour per week. For example, if you have an A in a 1-credit honors course, you’ll get 4.5 points per credit hour for the semester.
4. Sum all the points: Add together all the points you calculated in step 3.
5. Divide the sum by the total credit hours: Add up your credit hours, and then divide the total sum of points by the number of credit hours.
Weighted GPA = (Sum of points) / (Total credit hours)
Keep in mind that your school might calculate GPAs differently. It's a good idea to verify with your guidance counselor, who can provide the most accurate weighted GPA calculation for your specific school.
If you want to use an online calculator, CollegeVine's GPA calculator (https://www.collegevine.com/gpa-calculator) is a great resource. Just input the number of courses you've completed, their credit hours, and your letter grades, and the calculator will convert them to weighted and unweighted GPAs for you.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.