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GPAs can be difficult to calculate, and even more difficult to comprehend. Students are often confused about how to calculate their GPA and what effect different classes have on their GPA or how GPAs will be utilized to determine college admissions.
Read on for details about GPAs and tips on how you can improve your academic standing. We’ll explain the process by which GPA calculates, the trends in research about high school grading and suggestions on how to approach your course selection.
Note: As the majority of American high schools have the standard GPA scale of 4.0 The article is based on the measurement. If your school is using a different scale, make sure to check a useful GPA converter that can convert the scale prior to you read. If you aren’t sure of your GPA even a little bit then you can make use of the GPA calculation tool to determine it too.
What is My GPA and How Do I Calculate It?
GPA is a reference to “grade point average.” It combines your entire academic performance into a single number, which makes it easier for others to assess how you performed in school without needing to conduct extensive research.
Every class you attend in high school is assigned a number from 1- 4 based upon your performance as well as the numbers are then added up. The final average is an important indicator of your success in your college application and is also used to determine your ranking in the class.
Although there are numerous variations, the majority of American high schools follow the following scale for grading.
To earn this grade… | Receive this overall percentage… |
A+ | ≥ 97.0% |
A | 93.0–96.9% |
A- | 90.0–92.9% |
B+ | 87.0–89.9% |
B | 83.0–86.9% |
B- | 80.0–82.9% |
C+ | 77.0–79.9% |
C | 73.0–76.9% |
C- | 70.0–72.9% |
D+ | 67.0–69.9% |
D | 65.0–66.9% |
F | < 65.0% |
In each class, you will be awarded an amount of points for your grade based of the letters grade that you have earned.
In a regular class, if I earn… | My grade point(s) for the class is… |
A | 4.0 |
B | 3.0 |
C | 2.0 |
D | 1.0 |
F | 0.0 |
Certain schools boost or decrease the points value of classes depending on whether you got either a plus or minus grade along with the letter grade you received. It’s common to add .3 to a grade that is higher, and subtract .3 to subtract a minus with the value of 4.0 being the most desirable amount (so the letter grade of A+ has the equivalent value of the letter grade A).
On an 4.0 scale that is the standard GPA calculation is fairly simple. If you’re trying to determine the GPA you have today or you want to know, inquire to see it in the office of your guidance counselor or determine it on your own. We created a useful tutorial for you to determine your GPA in high school.
What is the Highest GPA Possible?
If you’re measuring your GPA using the 4.0 measure, you might think that the best GPA you could achieve is 4.0. This means that you’ve had all A’s in all of your classes in high school.
There are occasions when you may earn higher than the threshold of 4.0 in a course, most notably, APs. AP courses allow students to achieve more than a 4.0 on the conventional GPA scale. Some schools offer one grade point to the entire range of AP courses.
In an AP class, if I earn… | My grade point for the class is… |
A | 5.0 |
B | 4.0 |
D | 3.0 |
D | 2.0 |
F | 0.0–1.0 |
Incorporating a point into AP courses in the calculation of GPA is referred to as “weighting.” By contrast those who make use of unweighted GPAs don’t take into account the course’s difficulty when calculating their scores.
The best GPA achievable is dependent on the type of scale you’re using: scale that weighs or is not weighted. In college, it is recommended to determine both GPAs and submit the one you think is required. If there is no specific requirement then you should choose the one with the highest weighted GPA.
What is an Average GPA?
According to an report from the year 2019 by the National Center for Education Statistics The average GPA is around 3.0 and is the equivalent grade of an A. In the course of a earlier study carried out at the University of Georgia, it was discovered that the median GPA could be even higher, with a figure of 3.38 however this number has not yet been accepted as broadly as a 3.0.
Average GPA can vary greatly based on the demographics of students. As an example girls generally be more successful than boys.
Gender | GPA |
Girls | 3.10 |
Boys | 2.23 |
Difference | 0.13 |
Furthermore, students from specific races were able to achieve average GPAs that showed statistically significant differences. The Asian/Pacific Islander population was among the highest performing demographics with GPAs of 0.57 percent higher than the average of Black students.
Race | GPA |
Asian | 3.41 |
White | 3.23 |
Hispanic | 2.95 |
Black | 2.83 |
American Indian/Alaska Native | 3.02 |
Native Hawaiin/Other Pacific Islander | 3.08 |
The differences in the average GPA by race and gender reveal larger issues in the socioeconomic, cultural, and geographical aspects that influence the American education system.
In general, students did not do as than they did on the core subjects however, they did score grades in other academic subjects, such as Fine Arts, and non-academic disciplines, such as Health.
Course Type | GPA |
Overall | 3.03 |
Core Academic (English, Math, Social Studies) | 2.82 |
Other Academic (Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Computer Science, etc.) | 3.18 |
Non-Academic (Health, Physical Education, etc.) | 3.43 |
To put that in more familiar terms, the average American student might receive the following report card:
Subject | Grade |
English | B- |
American History | C+ |
Algebra II | C |
Photography | B |
Spanish | B+ |
Physical Education | A |
Is Grade Inflation Real, and Does It Affect Me?
Graduation inflation has been a hot subject since the early 2000s when reporters observed that college students graduated with increasing average GPAs. As information accumulated it became evident that not just colleges, as well as high schools are guilty of giving higher grades to the same work.
The statistics for American high schools, since 1990 an average GPA has risen by almost 0.5 points.
Year | Overall GPA |
1990 | 2.68 |
2000 | 2.94 |
2009 | 3.03 |
2019 | 3.11 |
This pattern is apparent across all subject areas. Here are a few examples from the core academic classes.
Subject | Average GPA by Year | ||
1990 | 2000 | 2009 | |
Social Studies | 2.56 | 2.83 | 2.89 |
English | 2.52 | 2.77 | 2.85 |
Science | 2.39 | 2.67 | 2.70 |
Mathematics | 2.34 | 2.60 | 2.65 |
Please be aware that subject-specific data has not been revised by the NCSE since 2009.
It is widely believed that schools in the United States have started giving higher grades for the same level of work, as it allows students to stand out when applying to colleges. When one school has begun the practice, other schools have to comply or risk jeopardizing their students’ chances in gaining admission into selective schools.
How Important is My GPA? Should I Take Easier Classes to Raise my GPA?
Your GPA can be an crucial factor in college applications, but you should never reduce academic rigor just to increase your GPA. Colleges are attracted by students who push themselves, so make sure you take higher-level courses, even if that involves risking a B for your record. If you’re not sure that you’ll get at least an A in a certain AP however, you might want to consider choosing a different class.
Instead of focusing on classes with less difficulty to improve your GPA by earning easy points in classes you’re currently taking. For instance, if are a teacher who gives points to students who hand in their assignments on time, be sure you’re not sending in homework late. If you’re P.E. grade is contingent on whether you have brought your gym gear, make sure you make sure you have them handy.
Many intelligent students work hard in AP courses, only to miss out on these points that are easy to earn. Utilize to the “Work Smarter, Not Harder” principle to increase your GPA.
It is also important to remember that colleges typically evaluate applicants holistically. applicants, which includes an Academic Index. It is a metric that takes into account Academic Index takes into account not just an individual’s GPA but also other factors such as tests that are standardized and the quality of your education. The index gives colleges an objective metric for assessing your academic ability and to compare students from various colleges. While GPA is an important factor of the college application process, they also look at students who have been able to push their academic abilities by studying for honors or advanced courses. Maintaining a balance between a high GPA and completing rigorous courses is essential to present a complete academic college application.
How to Improve Your GPA
If the GPA of yours is below or below the average, let’s admit it: that is sure to affect your chances of getting accepted. If you’re in the freshman or sophomore years there is still the opportunity to increase your GPA. If you’re having trouble in class make sure you get help from a classmate, teacher or tutor. To improve your GPA, select a few classes you are confident that you will achieve success in. In addition, taking AP/IB classes can boost your GPA weighted by weight, however If you’re not certain that you’ll be able to get a B or better you should stick with the normal version.
If you’re an undergraduate or a senior and you’re in the middle, there’s not a much that you could do in order to boost an increase in your GPA, since only a couple of semesters are likely to alter the amount of your grades to the point at which you’re. If you’re in this situation, concentrate on your performance during class. However, you should pay attention to other things such as your test scores as well as extracurricular activities.
Some schools that are selective use Academic Index (AI) as a screening tool. This means that those who are below a certain amount are automatically disqualified. If you’re not able to improve your GPA, then the best method of improving the AI is to improve your scores on tests. This will enable you to move above what is considered to be the minimal AI thresholds.
These are some helpful tips to increase the GPA of your students.:
1. Take Easier Classes
Try changing to a less difficult course if repeatedly struggling with a specific area. If you take a course at a less challenging degree, you can concentrate on establishing a solid base in the subject and possibly improve your grade point average. But, it’s important to find a balance instead of settling for an easy grade. Review the strengths as well as weaknesses and assess the advantages of moving to a more accessible level, while trying to be a bit more challenging academically.
2. Think About Weighting
Know the way the school’s GPA weighting guidelines work. Certain schools award higher marks for advanced or honors courses, which may affect your GPA positively. If you’re performing excellent in honors courses you should consider enrolling in more courses to improve your GPA. The challenge of academics will not only show off your commitment to the subject but also shows colleges that you’re prepared to tackle more challenging courses. Be aware of the time commitment, and make sure you are able to handle the additional workload.
3. Seek Academic Help
Don’t be afraid to contact to get assistance with your academics when you need it. Schools offer a variety of resources, like tutoring programs, or scheduled times to get assistance from teachers. Utilize these opportunities to understand concepts, increase understanding, and increase your marks. Consider forming study groups with friends or utilizing online resources such as Khan Academy or tutorial videos on YouTube to aid your learning process.
How Does My Current GPA Impact My Admissions Chances?
Colleges recognize that course difficulty will differ between schools and therefore admissions committees don’t evaluate the actual numbers of students. Instead, they look at GPAs within the context of the school you attend. They might even utilize the system they have developed to calculate GPAs by taking class and school difficultness into account. Instead of trying to achieve an exact GPA, try to be among the top students in comparison to the other students at your school.
To get a better understanding of the chances you have to get into college depending on your GPA as well as other factors We suggest using the free chancing engine. This simple tool can provide you with customized admissions odds that take into consideration a myriad of factors, such as the GPA of your student, scores on tests extracurricular activities, and much more. Utilizing this tool allows you to get an even more precise idea of your chances of being accepted at various colleges, without focusing only on GPA.
Strategies to Enhance Your Admission Opportunities with a low GPA
If you’re worried about your poor GPA and how it affects your college admissions prospects Here are some tips to boost your chances:
1. Apply to 4 Target and 3-4 Safety Schools Based on Your Profile
Make an balanced list of colleges that includes target, reach and security schools. It is a good idea to apply to a mix of schools that are reach (where your acceptance rate is lower than 30 percent) as well as targeted schools (with 30 to 80% probability of acceptance) as well as security schools (where you stand a chance of having an greater than 80% likelihood of acceptance). Making a comprehensive college list will give you options while striving to get into the schools you want.
2. Explain any Extenuating Circumstances
In the event that your poor GPA is the result of factors that were not in your control, such as medical issues, family obligations or other difficult situations it is important to include a an explanation on your Other information part of the application. Be sure to explain how these conditions affect your academic performance and then highlight any personal improvement or accomplishments regardless of the difficulties you encountered. Admissions committees value knowing the context of an individual’s GPA.
3. Focus on Other Strengths
While GPA is an important determinant but colleges also look at additional aspects to your resume. Highlight what you excel in to make up for a poor GPA. Make sure you highlight your involvement in extracurricular activities the role of a leader and community service. Highlight your particular talents, or accomplishments. Create compelling essays that highlight your individual growth as well as your interests and values. Also, get high-quality letter of recommendations which showcase your character, commitment to work and future potential.
4. Write Stellar Essays
Take time to reflect and think about your life experiences, values and personal development. Find a particular story or part of your life that you consider to be important and distinctive. It is important to highlight your uniqueness and give admissions officers insight into the person you are, beyond your academic accomplishments.
Utilize words that convey emotion and details to create an intriguing image in the mind of the reader. Instead of merely stating your skills or achievements, showcase them with compelling stories. Involve the reader’s senses and emotions to produce compelling and powerful essays.
Admissions committees are looking for evidence of your growth as a person and self-reflection. Discuss how specific events or experiences have shaped you as a person, your values and hopes. Talk about the lessons you’ve learned, strategies for overcoming difficulties, and what effect these experiences have affected your life.
5. Improve Your Extracurriculars
The enhancement of your extracurricular activities can show your interest commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership abilities to admissions committees at colleges. Let’s look at a few strategies you can boost and improve your academic standing.
Think about the possibility of running for leadership positions in organizations or clubs during your 11th grade year. A lot of clubs have election for positions of leadership during the spring, giving you the chance to show your abilities and achievements in a particular field. Try to be a leader in several clubs to increase your odds of being selected for at least one or two positions.
Choose clubs in which you are recognized as a strong participant and have a higher chance of being elected. Through leadership, you’ll be able to increase the effectiveness of an extracurricular program while showing your leadership potential. Make suggestions and supervise significant improvements or additions to an organization or club. For instance, you might design a program for training and find suppliers that are cost-effective or even establish a library of research. If you are successful, you could even ask that your idea takes on a formal leadership role for the group.
College admission is a complex process that requires a variety of factors that go beyond the GPA. While GPA is crucial but it’s important to think about other factors as well. It can be a daunting task.