Understanding GPA for All B's

Hey there, I'm trying to calculate my GPA and I've mostly received B's throughout high school. So, would anyone know how to do that or can point me to a good resource for GPA calculations? Thanks in advance!

Hello! GPA, which stands for Grade Point Average, is a way to quantify your high school academic achievement. In most cases, a "B" grade is equivalent to a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, but it can depend on whether your school uses a weighted or unweighted system.

In an unweighted system, an "A" is a 4.0, a "B" is a 3.0, a "C" is a 2.0, and a "D" is a 1.0 (and an "F" is 0). Grades are not given any extra weight, meaning whether you're in an honors, AP, IB, or a standard-level course, the points are the same. So, if you've received mostly "B's", you would be looking at around a 3.0 GPA.

In a weighted system, higher-level classes such as honors, AP, or IB courses are given extra weight. The exact weight can depend on the school, but commonly an "A" in an AP course is worth 5.0, an "A" in an honors course is worth 4.5, and so on. Consequently, a "B" in an AP or IB course might be worth 4.0 and a "B" in an honors course might be worth 3.5.

To calculate your GPA, you would add up all the points and then divide by the total numbers of classes taken (not the number of years of high school). For instance, if in your 20 classes you've received nineteen 3.0's and one 4.0, your GPA would be (193 + 14) / 20 = 3.05.

It's worth noting that each school, and sometimes even each state, might have their own scales or methods for calculating GPA, so it's best to double-check with your school's guidance counselor or on your school's website.

Remember, GPA is just one factor considered in college admissions — things like essays, extracurricular activities, your SAT or ACT scores (if you choose to submit them), and the rigor of your high school classes also play a role! Hope this information helps!