1. What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance. It's calculated by averaging the grade points earned in all courses, weighted by the credit hours of each course.

2. How GPA is Calculated

The standard GPA calculation formula is:

Where:

• \( grade\_points \) — Numerical value assigned to each letter grade (A=4.0, B=3.0, etc.)
• \( credit\_hours \) — The weight/units of each course
• \( total\_credit\_hours \) — Sum of all course credit hours

Example: If you earn an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course and a B (3.0) in a 4-credit course, your GPA would be (4.0×3 + 3.0×4)/(3+4) = 3.43

3. Importance of GPA

Details: GPA is crucial for academic standing, scholarship eligibility, graduate school applications, and sometimes employment opportunities. Many institutions require a minimum GPA to maintain good standing.

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions:

1. Select the letter grade for each course from the dropdown
2. Enter the credit hours for each course
3. Click "Add Another Course" if you have more courses to include
4. Click "Calculate GPA" to see your result

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between cumulative GPA and term GPA?
A: Term GPA calculates grades for one semester/quarter, while cumulative GPA includes all courses taken at the institution.

Q2: How do +/- grades affect GPA?
A: Plus grades typically add 0.3 to the base grade point (except A+ which is usually still 4.0), while minus grades subtract 0.3 (except F which remains 0.0).

Q3: Can I calculate GPA for just one semester?
A: Yes, simply enter only the courses from that semester into the calculator.

Q4: How do pass/fail courses affect GPA?
A: Typically, pass/fail courses don't affect GPA - they're either not included or count as 0.0 if failed (depending on institution policy).

Q5: What's considered a good GPA?
A: This varies by context, but generally: 3.5+ is very good, 3.0-3.5 is good, 2.0-3.0 is average, and below 2.0 may put you on academic probation.