Calculating the Grade Point Average (GPA)

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Calculating the Grade Point Average (GPA)

Advisors can empower students by teaching them to calculate their grade point averages. Some sites on the web are helpful (http://www.sis.umd.edu/gpacalc/). First-year students and students on academic probation are especially in need of mastering this skill.

Grade point average (GPA), also known as quality point average (QPA), is determined by assigning numerical values to the letter grades and weighing them according to the number of credit hours earned for each class. The quality point assigned to each letter follows:

A 4.0 B+ 3.3 C+ 2.3 D 1.0
A- 3.7 B 3.0 C 2.0 F 0.0
B- 2.7

To calculate the QPA, follow these steps:

Compute the quality points earned for each course by multiplying the value of the letter grade by the number of credits earned for the course.
For example, a grade of B+ in Biology 100 (a 3 credit course) would equal 9.9 quality points (3 credits X 3.3).
Add up the quality points earned in all of your classes.
For example:
Basic Biology 3 credits B+ 3 x 3.3 = 9.9
Gen. Psych 3 credits C 3 x 2.0 = 6.0
Col. Writing 3 credits D 3 x1.0 = 3.0
Elem. Stats 4 credits C+ 4 x 2.3 = 9.2
Intro to Music 3 credits F 3 x 0.0 = 0.0
16 credits Total = 28.1
Add up the number of credits attempted. This total should include all classes in which letter grades are received (A through F).
Divide the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted. For the example above, 28.1 = 1.756
16

Only courses in which letter grades are received are used in calculating the GPA.

Repeated courses

Students are not permitted to repeat courses in which "C" grades or above are earned. "D" and "F" grades may be repeated, but students may avail themselves of this repeat option only three times without the prior grade being included in the GPA calculation. The "D" or "F" grade will continue to appear on the transcript but is not included in the calculations.

After the third repeat, any course repeated will involve calculation of the previous grade. In other words, after a student has three repeats, it does not help his or her GPA to repeat a class. The only reason remaining to repeat a class is if the student's major requires a "C" grade or higher in a course.

Students should repeat "F" grades and, in some cases, "D" grades as soon as possible so that they can raise their GPA. This is the fastest way for students to get off academic probation or to improve their overall GPA.

For example, if the student in the previous calculation repeated Intro to Music and earned a B, his or her QPA would be calculated as follows:

Basic Biology 3 credits B+ 3 x 3.3 = 9.9
Gen. Psych 3 credits C 3 x 2.0 = 6.0
Col. Writing 3 credits D 3 x 1.0 = 3.0
Elem. Stats 4 credits C+ 4 x 2.3 = 9.2
~~Intro to Music 3 credits F 3 x 0.0 = 0.0~~
Intro to Music 3 credits B 3 x 3.0 = 9.0
Total = 37.1
Total crs. =16
Total QPA =
37.1 = 2.319
16

Calculating your GPA
(For students)

Fill in your courses, credits attempted, and grades in the lines below.

Course Credits Grade x Quality Points = Quality Points Earned

1.______________________________________________________________________

2.______________________________________________________________________

3.______________________________________________________________________

4.______________________________________________________________________

5.______________________________________________________________________

6.______________________________________________________________________

Your Quality Points Earned / Your Total Credits Attempted = Your QPA

/ =

Now choose a course you might be willing to repeat (if you received a D or F grade) and replace the grade with the grade you would expect to achieve and calculate your new QPA.