GPA is a weighted average, not an average of grade labels
A four-credit course affects GPA more than a two-credit course under the same system. Do not average converted grade values by course count. Calculate quality points for each course, then divide their sum by the credit hours included in GPA.
The values assigned to A or B+, the GPA scale, and excluded courses vary by institution. Use your university's rules rather than another school's table.
An example on a four-point scale
For illustration, we use values similar to Ohio State's published table: A = 4.0, A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, and B = 3.0. This does not imply that your institution uses the same values.
| Course | Credits | Grade | Point value | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Course 2 | 3 | B+ | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| Course 3 | 4 | B | 3.0 | 12.0 |
| Course 4 | 2 | A− | 3.7 | 7.4 |
| Total | 12 | — | — | 41.3 |
GPA = 41.3 ÷ 12 = 3.4417, approximately. An official record might display 3.44 under its rounding rule.
Term GPA and cumulative GPA
Term GPA uses that term's courses. Cumulative GPA combines points and included hours across terms, then divides the totals. Do not average term GPAs arithmetically unless their included hours are equal and your rules permit that shortcut.
Which courses belong in the denominator?
Pass/no-pass, withdrawal, and some transfer courses may be excluded from GPA even when they appear on a transcript or award credit. Repeat policies also differ: the earlier grade might be replaced or both grades might remain. Follow the university catalog and official record.
Common mistakes
- Averaging grade values without credit-hour weights.
- Using a five-point scale in a four-point calculator, or vice versa.
- Including hours for a course excluded from GPA.
- Averaging term GPAs without accounting for hours.
- Assuming a course-repeat policy the institution does not use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert GPA from 4 to 5 by multiplying by 1.25?
That is not automatically an accepted academic conversion. Different grade boundaries and policies make official conversion the institution's responsibility.
Is a percentage the same as GPA?
They are different representations, and there is no universal conversion without institutional rules.
Why does the result differ from my transcript?
Check the point scale, excluded courses, repeats, rounding, and included hours.
Sources and references
- The Ohio State University — Academic Policies: grade value multiplied by credit hours, then total points divided by included hours. Accessed 2026-11-06.
- Example grade values are illustrative. Your institution's official regulations remain authoritative.