Higher than 4.0 College GPA?

I'm figuring out a lot about GPA scales and all, and I just had this question in mind. Can anyone get above a 4.0 in college, or is that the max? Could anybody clarify that for me?

Yes, it is indeed possible to earn a GPA that is higher than a 4.0 in college. This can happen when colleges use a GPA scale that is larger than the standard 4.0, due to the inclusion of weighted courses or bonuses for honors, AP, or IB courses.

Most colleges use a 4.0 GPA scale, where the highest grade (usually an A) is equal to a 4.0. However, many high schools and some colleges assign more "weight" to harder courses. For example, the maximum grade in an honors course might be a weighted 5.0 rather than the standard 4.0. Similarly, AP and IB courses might be rated as high as a 5.0 or 6.0. This is done to acknowledge the increased challenge and effort required for these courses compared to standard-level courses.

However, even with these weighted GPA scales, it's important to understand that most colleges will recalculate your GPA based on their own scale when considering your application. Hence, while a higher-than-4.0 GPA can be seen as an indication of taking more rigorous courses, colleges will generally review the specifics of your coursework to discern the level of your academic rigor and achievements.