The Two Systems
Understanding how your GPA is calculated can help you make strategic decisions about course selection and study priorities.
Unweighted GPA
Uses a standard 4.0 scale where all courses count equally.
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Weighted GPA
Awards bonus points for advanced courses.
| Course Type | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Honors | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| AP/IB | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
Weighted GPA rewards academic rigor. Taking AP and Honors courses can push your GPA above 4.0, demonstrating challenge-seeking behavior to colleges.
Credit Hours Matter
A course worth 1 credit has more impact than a 0.5 credit PE class.
Example:
- AP English (1 credit, A = 5.0 points): 5.0 quality points
- PE (0.5 credit, A = 4.0 points): 2.0 quality points
Your GPA is: Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credits
What Colleges Do
Most colleges recalculate GPAs using their own standards:
- Some only count core academic subjects
- Some remove honors/AP weighting
- Some use their own weighting system
This means your reported GPA may differ from what colleges calculate.
Common Myths Debunked
Myth: One bad grade ruins everything
Reality: With proper course load, one grade has limited impact on cumulative GPA.
Myth: All AP classes help your GPA equally
Reality: A B in an AP class might hurt you more than an A in a regular class, depending on your school's weighting.
Colleges value challenging course loads. A 3.7 with AP classes often beats a 4.0 with easy classes in admissions decisions.
Myth: Play it safe with easy classes
Reality: Colleges value challenging course loads. Take courses that push you while maintaining strong grades.
Strategic Recommendations
- Take challenging courses you can handle well
- Consistency matters - avoid large grade fluctuations
- Understand YOUR school's specific system
- Focus on core subjects that colleges weight heavily
Quick Reference
Calculating Quality Points:
Quality Points = Grade Points × Credit HoursCalculating GPA:
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit HoursExample Calculation:
| Course | Credits | Grade | Points | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calc | 1.0 | A | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| English | 1.0 | B | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| PE | 0.5 | A | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| Total | 2.5 | 10.0 |
GPA = 10.0 ÷ 2.5 = 4.0
Different schools use different weighting systems. Always verify your school's specific GPA calculation method with your counselor.