Understanding the GPA Conversion Table

I need some help understanding the GPA conversion table. Can anyone explain it in simple terms, or break down how it works? I'd like to know how my grades translate into GPA, especially as I prepare for college apps.

Sure, I'd be happy to help explain the GPA conversion process. Understanding this conversion might aid you in gauging your academic performance for your college applications.

A GPA conversion table is used to convert your letter grades or percentage grades into a standardized scale called the Grade Point Average (GPA). GPA is typically measured on a 4.0 scale, though some high school scale it up to 5.0 for AP courses.

Here's a simple explanation:

A letter grade of "A" usually corresponds to a GPA of 4.0. This means that if you receive an "A" in a course, it contributes 4 points towards your GPA.

A "B" typically corresponds to a GPA of 3.0. So, if you earn a "B" in a course, it results in 3 points being added to your cumulative GPA.

A "C" is typically equivalent to a 2.0, a "D" is a 1.0, and an "F" or failing grade corresponds to a 0.0.

For schools that also offer plus and minus grades (like A-, B+, etc.), the slight variations might exist. Usually, a plus adds 0.3 to the base GPA for the letter grade, while a minus subtracts 0.3.

If you take courses that grant weighted credit, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, an "A" in these classes often corresponds to a 5.0 instead of a 4.0. However, this depends on how your school calculates GPA.

The GPA is then calculated by adding up all of the points from your courses and dividing by the total number of courses. For example, if you have three As (4.0 each) and one B (3.0) in a semester with four courses, your GPA would be: (4.0 + 4.0 + 4.0 + 3.0) / 4 = 3.75.

It's important to note that different schools and systems may have slightly different systems for converting grades to GPAs, so check with your school counselor to confirm how your school calculates GPA.