How is GPA computed in US schools? GPA Computation formula? (original) (raw)
One of the things that confuses many international students after coming to the US is the Grade Point Average(GPA). In most foreign countries outside of the US, the percentage scale is used, which ranges from 0 to 100. But, as soon as you arrive in the US, the grading system changes to the GPA system, and the range is from 0 to 4.
Many international students often wonder how this GPA scale works. Also, how is the cumulative GPA calculated at the time of graduation, and many other questions around it? This article explains the GPA calculation in US schools with screenshots of transcripts.
Courses and Credits in US schools
If you are studying in a country that is outside of the US, most of you are used to just taking a set of courses that may have credits assigned to them. Mostly, the concept of credits is ignored, and everyone talks in terms of classes or courses and percentages.
Unlike in the US, each course has a set of credits assigned to it. The number of credits determines the work load of a class. The more the credits, the more the work in that course. Depending on the workload and degree level, it can be anywhere from 1 to 4 credits. Typically, at the graduate level, many courses are 3 credit classes. For such 3 credit classes, you likely meet once a week in class with three hours of lecture time. It is expected that the student spends anywhere from 3 to 4 hours per credit hour outside of the class to do well in the course. You can read more at Courses and Credits in US Schools and how they work.
Importance of Course Credits Break down
As mentioned above, the workload of the class depends on the number of credits. The concept of credits is important because it gives you the flexibility to break down the three-credit class and instead take a two-credit class and one-credit class or just three one-credit classes.
For instance, let’s say you get a 3-credit class waived in MS because you tell the advisor that you have experience and show that you have already done in undergrad (B. Tech), then you are given the option to take those three credits in any way, depending on the University to meet the degree requirements for graduation. What you can do is you can take a 1-credit Music class and 2-credit Writing class, or you may take a credit Gym class, a credit leadership class, and a credit modern art class. This concept of credits gives you much flexibility
Now that we understand courses and credits, let’s now get into the grading system.
The grading system in US Universities
If you are new to America, you may want to read the article about the Bachelor and Masters’s Education System in the USA vs. India to see the breakdown of grading in a class. In general, the Grading system varies by University. Many of the universities have just A, B, C, D and F like in the below table. But, it can vary
| Grade | Grade Point | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4 | 90 – 100 |
| B | 3 | 80 – 89.9 |
| C | 2 | 70 – 79.9 |
| D | 1 | 60 – 69.9 |
| F | 0 | <59 |
However, most Universities implement the below-graded system. All three Universities I studied at in the US implemented the below-graded system. You can take the below one as one of the most standard grading system.
| Grade | Grade Points | Percentage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.000 | Greater than 93% |
| A- | 3.670 | 87 -89.9% |
| B+ | 3.330 | 84-86.9 % |
| B | 3.000 | 80 – 83.9% |
| B- | 2.670 | 77 – 79.9% |
| C+ | 2.330 | 74 – 76.9% |
| C | 2.000 | 70 – 73.9% |
| C- | 1.670 | 67- 69.9% |
| D+ | 1.330 | 65-66.9% |
| D | 1.000 | 62-64.9% |
| D- | 0.670 | 59-61.9% |
| F | 0.000 | <59 % ( Fail ) |
Grade in an individual class or course
The grade in an individual class is given by your instructor based on the points or marks you get in the class. Your grade is just based on the above table based on how much percentage of marks you score in the course.
For instance you get 88 points, then your grade in A- and your GPA for the individual class is 3.67.
How is the Cumulative GPA computed?
At the end of the semester or when you are graduating, your cumulative GPA is computed with a formula that looks like below:
Cumulative GPA = (Total Grade points obtained ) / (total Credit hours taken )
Total Grade points you obtained = Grade in the class X Credit hours of the class.
E.g. Lets say, you have taken a two 3 credit classes and you got B+ ( GPA 3.33) and C+ ( GPA 2.33) in them, cumulative GPA for these two classes is as below.
Total grade points = ( 3.33 X 3 ) + (2.33 X 3)
= 9.99 + 6. 99
= 16.98
Now cumulative GPA = 16.98 / 6 = 2.83
Hope you have got an idea, how system works here. See below screenshots for better visualization.
References for more info :