Calculate your Medical School GPA accurately for your AMCAS application.
GPA Calculator
Enter the total number of credit hours you have attempted.
Enter the sum of (Credits * Grade Points) for all courses.
Enter the total number of credit hours for science courses (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math).
Enter the sum of (Credits * Grade Points) for science courses only.
Your Calculated GPAs
Overall GPA–.–
Science (BCPM) GPA–.–
Total Credits Attempted—
Total Quality Points—
Science (BCPM) Credits Attempted—
Science (BCPM) Quality Points—
Formula Used: GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credits Attempted.
Quality Points are calculated by multiplying the credit hours of a course by the grade points earned (e.g., A=4.0, B=3.0).
Grade Point Equivalents
Grade
Grade Points
A+
4.0
A
4.0
A-
3.7
B+
3.3
B
3.0
B-
2.7
C+
2.3
C
2.0
C-
1.7
D+
1.3
D
1.0
D-
0.7
F
0.0
Standard grade point values used by many institutions.Hypothetical GPA Trend Over Semesters (Illustrative)
Understanding the AAMC GPA Calculator and Its Importance
What is the AAMC GPA Calculator?
The AAMC GPA calculator, often referred to in the context of medical school applications, is a tool designed to help prospective medical students accurately calculate their Grade Point Average (GPA) according to the standards set by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). While the AAMC doesn't provide a specific "calculator" tool directly, they do outline the methodology for calculating GPAs for the AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) application. This involves distinguishing between an overall GPA and a science GPA, often referred to as the BCPM GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics). Understanding and accurately calculating your AAMC GPA calculator is a crucial step in the medical school application process. Many pre-med advisors and online resources offer tools that follow AAMC guidelines to simplify this calculation for applicants.
AAMC GPA Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core principle behind calculating any GPA, including the AAMC GPA calculator, is a weighted average. The AAMC specifically requires applicants to report their overall GPA and their BCPM GPA.
Overall GPA Formula:
Overall GPA = (Total Quality Points for ALL Courses) / (Total Credits Attempted for ALL Courses)
Calculating Quality Points:
For each course, Quality Points = (Credit Hours for the Course) * (Grade Points for the Grade Received).
The standard AAMC grade point scale typically assigns: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0, with +/- variations. For example, an A- might be 3.7, and a B+ might be 3.3.
To calculate your AAMC GPA calculator, you need to sum the quality points for all your courses and divide by the total credits attempted for all courses to get your overall GPA. Similarly, you sum the quality points only for your BCPM courses and divide by the total credits attempted for those specific courses to get your BCPM GPA. This distinction is vital as medical schools often place significant emphasis on your performance in science coursework.
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Let's illustrate with a hypothetical pre-med student's transcript.
Example 1: Calculating Overall GPA
A student has completed 120 credit hours in total and earned 360 quality points across all their courses.
Overall GPA = 360 Quality Points / 120 Credits = 3.00
Example 2: Calculating Science (BCPM) GPA
Out of the 120 total credits, 60 were in BCPM courses. The quality points earned specifically in these BCPM courses total 190.
Science (BCPM) GPA = 190 Quality Points / 60 Credits = 3.17
In this scenario, the student has an overall GPA of 3.00 and a BCPM GPA of 3.17. This highlights the importance of tracking both metrics. A strong AAMC GPA calculator, particularly in the BCPM category, is often a strong indicator of a student's readiness for the rigors of medical school. Many applicants use online tools to verify their calculations before submitting their AMCAS application.
How to Use This AAMC GPA Calculator
Using our AAMC GPA calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps to get an accurate assessment of your academic standing for medical school applications:
Gather Your Transcript: Obtain an official or unofficial copy of your college transcript(s).
Calculate Total Credits Attempted: Sum up all the credit hours you have attempted for every course you've taken. This includes courses you passed, failed, or withdrew from after the deadline.
Calculate Total Quality Points: For each course, multiply the credit hours by the grade points earned (refer to the table provided). Sum these values for ALL courses to get your total quality points.
Calculate Science (BCPM) Credits: Identify and sum the credit hours specifically for courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics.
Calculate Science (BCPM) Quality Points: Sum the quality points earned ONLY for your BCPM courses.
Enter Data into the Calculator: Input the calculated values into the corresponding fields: "Total Credits Attempted," "Total Quality Points," "Science (BCPM) Credits Attempted," and "Science (BCPM) Quality Points."
View Results: Click the "Calculate GPA" button. The calculator will display your Overall GPA and your Science (BCPM) GPA.
Reset or Copy: Use the "Reset" button to clear the fields and start over, or use the "Copy Results" button to save your calculated values.
Accurate calculation using a reliable AAMC GPA calculator ensures you report correct information on your AMCAS application.
Key Factors That Affect AAMC GPA Calculator Results
Several factors significantly influence your calculated GPAs for medical school applications:
Course Difficulty and Grading Scale: The rigor of your courses and the specific grade points assigned by your institution play a direct role. A challenging course with a lower grade might impact your GPA more than an easier one.
Number of Credits Attempted: Courses with more credit hours carry more weight in the GPA calculation. A poor grade in a 4-credit course will affect your GPA more than the same grade in a 1-credit course.
Consistency of Performance: A steady performance across multiple semesters is generally viewed more favorably than a highly variable one. A strong upward trend in GPA can be beneficial.
BCPM Course Performance: As mentioned, medical schools scrutinize the BCPM GPA closely. Excelling in these foundational science courses is critical.
Repeated Courses: AMCAS recalculates GPAs including all attempts of a course. If you retake a course and earn a higher grade, the new calculation will reflect this, but the previous attempt still counts towards the total credits and quality points.
Transfer Credits: Credits earned at other institutions that transfer to your degree will be included in your AMCAS GPA calculation based on the grades originally earned at those institutions.
Understanding these factors helps in strategizing your academic path and maximizing your AAMC GPA calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between Overall GPA and BCPM GPA?
The Overall GPA includes all courses taken during your undergraduate career, regardless of subject. The BCPM GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) specifically focuses on your performance in these core science and math courses, which medical schools often view as a key indicator of your preparedness for medical studies.
Does AMCAS recalculate my GPA?
Yes, AMCAS recalculates GPAs based on the information you provide from your transcripts. They use their own standardized methodology to ensure consistency across all applicants. It's crucial to enter your course information accurately.
How are +/- grades handled in GPA calculations?
Most institutions and AMCAS assign specific grade points to +/- grades (e.g., A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0). Always refer to your institution's grading scale and ensure you use the correct grade points when calculating your AAMC GPA calculator.
What if I took courses pass/fail?
Pass/Fail courses generally do not contribute grade points to your GPA calculation. However, they do count towards the total number of credits attempted. AMCAS has specific guidelines for reporting Pass/Fail courses, especially if they are within the BCPM category. Consult the official AMCAS instructions for details.
Should I include graduate coursework in my AMCAS GPA?
Yes, AMCAS requires you to report all undergraduate and graduate coursework. They calculate separate GPAs for undergraduate and graduate studies.