How to calculate GPA | Formulas, requirements and more!

How to calculate GPA | Here’s everything you should know!

Are you confused about what is the GPA scale? I was too. Until I did some really extensive research and wrote this blog for you all! The scoring system for students is different from country to country. Some get their scores in percentages, others in points or grades. But, if you’re thinking of applying to any university abroad, it is important to have your score converted to a GPA. Even if the university you’re applying to asks for your marks in a different format, a GPA score is a great comparative measure. So, to help all of you who want to know about the GPA scale and how to calculate GPA, we came up with this informative blog. Stick around and make sure you download the study abroad checklist, which will help you plan your education abroad!

What is the GPA and why do you need it?

If you’re considering applying to universities abroad, you must have heard the term GPA many times. The Grade Point Average or GPA is a measure of your academic achievement over a specific duration, i.e., a year or a semester. It is accepted by most countries around the world and is a primary measuring system for universities in North America(the USA and Canada), Australia, and most European countries.

How to calculate GPA | The 4.0 GPA scale

The 4.0 GPA scale, also known as the Unweighted GPA scale, is the most commonly-used GPA measurement scale in universities around the world. While some high schools also use a 5.0 GPA scale(weighted GPA scale), it is not as widely used as the 4.0 GPA scale (Unweighted) because it considers the difficulty of your coursework.

How to calculate GPA | GPA Calculator

The concept behind the GPA calculation is pretty simple. Every course or subject you study is assigned a specific number of ‘credits’ or, in some other cases, ‘units.’ If you don’t know the credits allotted to each subject, you can get this list of credits assigned from your respective institutions where you got your previous degree. These credits and the grade/percentage you receive are calculated into your GPA.

 

What is the formula for GPA calculation?

Now, this may seem confusing, but the best formula to calculate your GPA is to divide the total number of grade points in a program by the total number of credits attempted. The result of that calculation is your GPA. The formula goes as follows:

Total grade points earned ÷ Total credits (based on your courses) = GPA

How do you convert letter grades to GPA?

The GPA scale directly compares to a grading system of A, B, C, D, and F. In simple terms, each grade is assigned a point. That means A=4, B=3, a C=2, a D=1, and an F=0. Easy so far? Okay.

So, here’s an example to help you understand better:

• Suppose you’re pursuing a program and have a course with 4 units (Credits=4). Suppose you score a grade ‘B’ (remember, B=3). Therefore, total grade points = 4Ô3=12.
• Let’s assume you have another course with 3 units (Credits=3) and scored another ‘B’ grade in it (again, B=3). Your total grade points = 3Ô3=9.
• So now, your Total grade points are 21(12+9), and your total credits are 7. Using the formula mentioned above, 21÷7 gives you 3-grade points, which is equal to a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 for that specific program.

How do you convert your percentage to GPA?

The most commonly used scoring system in countries like India is a percentage(%). Therefore, students need to convert the range of percentages, which is quite obviously out of 100, to a GPA scale of 4.0. The math for that is pretty simple, actually.

• There are 4 points on the GPA scale, and you need to set a value for each point.
• Therefore, if you divide 100 by 4, you get 25(100÷4=25). This means that you have assigned 25 points to 1 GPA point.
• The final step is to divide your received percentage by a hundred and multiply it by 4. 

How to calculate GPA | Why is your GPA important?

Now that you know how to calculate GPA, let’s find out how big a role it plays in your university applications. The first thing you need to understand is this- GPA isn’t everything, but it certainly is very important. Admissions officers are more likely to consider your profile more seriously if you have a good GPA. Not only that, but having a good GPA can also make you eligible for a lot of scholarships offered by universities, the government, and even private organizations.

In fact, it’s not just colleges that look at a student’s GPA. Companies that recruit students right after college consider GPA as the initial deciding factor. It is, after all, one of the biggest signs of your merit and skill. So, make sure you try your best to maintain a good GPA.

GPA requirements for top universities abroad

The GPA requirements for universities around the world can vary, but generally, they are quite competitive. Many top-ranked universities look for a GPA in the range of 3.5 to 4.0 on a 4.0 scale. Let’s explore the GPA needed for admission to top universities across various regions worldwide.

United States (USA)

For top-tier universities in the USA, a GPA of around 3.8 to 4.0 on a 4.0 scale is often expected. However, some universities may consider lower GPAs if other aspects of the application are strong.

Canada

Canadian universities usually consider GPAs on a percentage scale. For top universities, a GPA of 3.7 to 4.0 or a percentage of 80% and above is often considered competitive.

Australia

Universities in Australia use a percentage scale. For top institutions, a GPA of 6.5 to 7.0 on a 7.0 scale or 75% and above is commonly expected.

Germany

Top universities in Germany often focus on the overall academic performance, and a GPA equivalent to a 2.0 or better on a 1.0 to 5.0 scale is often desirable.

Is your GPA enough to get into your dream university?

Whether your GPA is high or low, when you apply to universities, there are a lot more factors that they are looking for. Some of the other factors that universities consider among their applicants are:

• Statement of purpose(SOP)
• Work experience
• Letters of recommendation(LORs)
• Social profile
• Extracurricular activities, etc.

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Key takeaways

• You must learn how to convert percentage grades to the 4.0 GPA scale using a straightforward formula.
• It is important to understand and adapt to the grading system of your educational institution and converting it to the 4.0 GPA scale if necessary.
• Different universities have different GPA requirements. It is crucial to know how universities abroad consider GPA, along with other factors like standardized test scores and extracurricular activities, during the admissions process.

So, if your GPA is high, you’re already off to a great start! However, even if you have a low GPA, remember, you can always boost your chances of getting into your dream university by acing these other aspects of your student profile!

Make sure you check our iSchoolConnect’s SOP-writing tool by registering here.

Liked this blog? Then read, Top universities to study arts | 10 must-know ones!

FAQs

Question 1: What is GPA?

Answer: The GPA or the Grade Point Average is an international grading system that is accepted by most universities globally. 

Question 2: How to calculate GPA for studying abroad?

Answer: Calculating GPA is pretty simple. You have to divide the total number of grade points in a program by the total number of credits attempted; the result is your GPA. 

Question 3: What are the other factors universities look for along with GPA?

Answer: Along with your GPA, universities look for factors like the SOP, LOR, work experience, social profiles, and so on.