Introduction

Your overall Grade Point Average (GPA) plays a significant role in your academic journey. Whether you’re competing for scholarships, aiming to enter a prestigious university, or aiming to maintain your academic standing, it’s essential to know how to calculate your overall GPA accurately. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to do just that.

Step 1: Understand the Grading Scale

Before calculating the overall GPA, familiarize yourself with the grading scale used by your institution or program. Most US schools use a 4.0 scale, while some use different scales like 5.0 or have unique grade conversion tables. Ensure you’re aware of the correct scale before making any calculations.

Step 2: Assign Point Values to Letter Grades

Assign point values to each letter grade according to your institution’s grading scale. Here’s an example using the traditional 4.0 scale:

– A+ or A: 4.0 points

– A-: 3.7 points

– B+: 3.3 points

– B: 3.0 points

– B-: 2.7 points

– C+: 2.3 points

– C: 2.0 points

– C-: 1.7 points

– D+: 1.3 points

– D: 1.0 points

– D-: 0.7 points

– F: 0 points

Step3: Evaluate Course Credit Hours

Identify and gather information about the credit hours assigned for each course you’ve taken during the period you aim to calculate your overall GPA in, be it for a semester or cumulatively.

Step 4: Calculate Your Grade Points

For each course in which you have completed, multiply the point value assigned to the letter grade by the number of credit hours for the course. This will give you the grade points earned for that particular class. Perform this calculation for all courses completed in the specified period.

Step 5: Add up Total Points and Credit Hours

Sum up total grade points earned and total credit hours taken in the given period.

Step 6: Calculate Your Overall GPA

Divide your total grade points by your total credit hours to calculate your overall GPA for the specified period. Round your answer to two decimal places, and that’s your GPA!

Example:

Total grade points: 45.6

Total credit hours: 15

Overall GPA = 45.6 / 15 = 3.04

Conclusion

Calculating your overall GPA is an essential skill to gain a better understanding of academic performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and set achievable goals for academic success. By following these steps, you’ll be equipped with the necessary knowledge to accurately determine and monitor your overall GPA throughout your academic journey.