How to Calculate your GPAHow to calculate your gpa
There are a few different GPA scales, the main ones are the 4-point GPA scale used in North America and the 9-point GPA scale used in New Zealand.
It is very easy to calculate your GPA, even when it is weighted to take into account the amount of points a course is worth.
Each grade has a points total associated to it. For the 9-point scale these are:
A+ = 9
A = 8
A- = 7
B+ = 6
B = 5
B- = 4
C+ = 3
C = 2
C- = 1
Failed or withdrawn = 0
Courses which are only pass/fail should be excluded from your calculations.
If all of your courses are worth the same amount of credits (points) you simply add up the number of points you have and divide by the number of courses. So for example you got A, B+, C+, A+; this would work out as:
8 + 6 + 3 + 9 = 26 / 4 (courses) = 6.5 which is half way between B+ and A-
If your courses have different credit values you need to work out the weighted average. All you do is multiply the credits by the grade points, sum the totals calculated and divide ths by the sum of the credits. It is easy really, here's an example:
| Subject | Grade | Grade Point Value | Credits | GPV x Credits |
| Accounting | A | 8 | 15 | 120 |
| Economics | B+ | 6 | 20 | 120 |
| Statistics | C+ | 3 | 30 | 90 |
| Law | A+ | 9 | 15 | 135 |
| Totals | 80 |
465 |
GPA = 465/80 = 5.81
So your GPA tells you that your average weighted grade is just below a B+.So the weighting can make a difference to your GPA.
As the average grade is considered a B anything above a 5 is a reasonable GPA.
You can also calculate your GPA using the 9 Point GPA Calculator here!
The North American system uses a 4 point scale.
A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1
E/F = 0
For + and - grades you add or take away 0.3 as applicable. So for example a B+ would be 3.3
Some institutions have an A+ grade, some don't and the way the A+ is treated in GPA also differs with some giving it a 4.3, while others just the 4 of an A (it is a 4 point scale after all so in theory nothing should be higher than this). You then work out your weighted GPA in the same way as the 9-point scale.
Above a 3.5 is considered a good GPA, over 3.7 very good and would gain you entry to most institutions.
You can also calculate your GPA using the 4 Point GPA Calculator here!
By David Cutts
Last Updated on Friday, 15 March 2013 23:07 Written by Administrator Thursday, 12 May 2011 21:48