How to Calculate GPA
A grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total amount of grade points earned by the total amount of GPA credits attempted. A GPA may range from 0.0 to a 4.0.
Definition of Terms
- Credits: The credits assigned to a course. E.g., .125; .25; .50; 1.0; 1.25, etc.
- Grade Value: The numerical value assigned to a grade.
| Grade | Value |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 points |
| A- | 3.667 points |
| B+ | 3.333 points |
| B | 3.0 points |
| B- | 2.667 points |
| C+ | 2.333 points |
| C | 2.0 points |
| C- | 1.667 points |
| D | 1.0 points |
| F | 0.0 points |
| H | Not calculated in GPA |
| G | Not calculated in GPA |
| S | Not calculated in GPA |
| SP | Not calculated in GPA |
| W | Not calculated in GPA |
| L | Not calculated in GPA |
| NC | Not calculated in GPA |
| I | Not calculated in GPA |
- Grade Points: The number of credit hours for a course multiplied by the grade value.
- Attempted Hours: Credits for which you are registered that can earn a letter grade.
- Earned Hours: Credits earned from courses that you passed.
Example of How to Calculate a GPA
| Example Student Transcript | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course: | Credit Hours: | Grade: | Grade Points: |
| Economics | 1.0 | C | 2.0 |
| Psychology | 1.0 | B+ | 3.333 |
| Biology | 1.25 | B- | 3.33375 |
| Spanish | 1.0 | A- | 3.667 |
| 4.25 Total Credit Hours Attempted | 12.33375 Total Grade Points |
To get the example student’s GPA, the total grade points are divided by the total credit hours attempted. Thus, this example student’s GPA is: 12.33375 divided by 4.25 = 2.9020588 ( or 2.90 ).
Calculating A Cumulative GPA
The Cumulative GPA (grade point average) includes all A-F grades, and the transcript will carry the notation that these grades are averaged in the cumulative GPA.
The cumulative GPA is calculated by totaling the number of grade points acquired for all courses that are letter graded (A-F) and dividing that total by the number of course credits. The F grade is calculated into the cumulative GPA.
The marks H, G, S, and NC are not calculated into the cumulative GPA. In addition, only grades received in courses taught by The College of Wooster faculty are included in the cumulative GPA. Grades received during off-campus study at another institution are recorded as received from the other institution but are not counted in the Wooster cumulative GPA. For transfer students, only academic work completed at Wooster is included in the Wooster cumulative GPA.