Understanding GPA Scale

Hey y'all! My school uses a weird grading system and I'm having trouble figuring out how to interpret it. How do I convert my GPA into a 4.0 or 5.0 scale? What do terms like 'weighted' and 'unweighted' mean? Any guidance would be really helpful, thanks!

Hello! It's understandable that GPA scales can be confusing, especially if your school uses an unconventional one. Let's break down the basics and help you convert your GPA.

First, let's define 'weighted' and 'unweighted' GPAs. An unweighted GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale, where an A (90-100%) = 4.0, B (80-89%) = 3.0, C (70-79%) = 2.0, D (60-69%) = 1.0, and F (below 60%) = 0. Unweighted GPAs do not take into account the difficulty of the courses you took; they just represent your raw letter grades.

A weighted GPA, on the other hand, accounts for the difficulty or rigor of your courses. Schools typically use a 5.0 scale for weighted GPAs (though some may use a 6.0 scale). Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Honors courses have an additional weight added to the GPA. For example, on a 5.0 scale, an A in an AP course may be worth 5.0 instead of 4.0. The weighted GPA showcases your academic performance, considering both your grades and the rigor of your coursework.

To convert your GPA, you'll first need to know your school's grading system. If you have a percentage-based, unweighted GPA (e.g., 87% average), you can convert that to a 4.0 scale by dividing the percentage by 20 and then subtracting one (87 ÷ 20 – 1 = 3.35).

If you have course-specific grades for weighted courses (e.g., 94% for AP English, 89% for regular math), you may have to calculate the unweighted and weighted GPAs separately. Start by converting each course grade to a 4.0 scale and finding the average for your unweighted GPA. For your weighted GPA, add an additional point (typically 1.0) to the converted grades of advanced courses, and then find the average.

For a more accurate conversion, you can consult your school's guidance counselor or use an online GPA calculator to help you navigate the specific nuances of your school's grading system.

Remember that different colleges use different methods to evaluate your GPA, so it's essential to check each institution's preferences. Some may require both weighted and unweighted GPAs, while others will recalculate your GPA based on their own criteria.

I hope this clarifies the concept of GPA scales and helps you convert your GPA accordingly. Good luck!