Cumulative GPA Calculator
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Understanding Your Cumulative GPA
Your Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) is a crucial metric that reflects your overall academic performance throughout your entire academic career at a particular institution. It's a weighted average of all the grades you've received in all courses, with the weight determined by the number of credits each course carries.
Why is Cumulative GPA Important?
- Academic Standing: Many universities use GPA to determine academic probation, good standing, or eligibility for graduation.
- Scholarships & Awards: A high GPA is often a prerequisite for academic scholarships, honors, and awards.
- Graduate School Admissions: Graduate and professional schools heavily weigh your cumulative GPA as an indicator of your ability to handle rigorous academic work.
- Job Applications: Some employers, especially for entry-level positions, may request your GPA as part of the application process.
- Transferring Credits: If you plan to transfer to another institution, your cumulative GPA will be a significant factor in the admission decision.
How is Cumulative GPA Calculated?
The calculation involves two main steps:
- Assign Grade Points: Each letter grade is assigned a specific numerical value (e.g., A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0). These values can vary slightly between institutions, but a common scale is used in this calculator.
- Weighted Average: For each course, multiply the grade points by the number of credits for that course. Sum these "grade points earned" for all courses. Then, divide this total by the total number of credits attempted across all courses.
The formula is:
Cumulative GPA = (Sum of [Grade Points per Course * Credits per Course]) / (Total Credits Attempted)
Example Calculation:
Let's say a student has taken the following courses:
- Course A: 3 Credits, Grade A (4.0 points)
- Course B: 4 Credits, Grade B+ (3.3 points)
- Course C: 3 Credits, Grade C (2.0 points)
- Course D: 2 Credits, Grade A- (3.7 points)
Step 1: Calculate Grade Points Earned for each course:
- Course A: 4.0 * 3 = 12.0
- Course B: 3.3 * 4 = 13.2
- Course C: 2.0 * 3 = 6.0
- Course D: 3.7 * 2 = 7.4
Step 2: Sum Total Grade Points Earned:
12.0 + 13.2 + 6.0 + 7.4 = 38.6
Step 3: Sum Total Credits Attempted:
3 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 12
Step 4: Calculate Cumulative GPA:
38.6 / 12 = 3.2166…
Rounded to two decimal places, the Cumulative GPA is 3.22.
How to Use This Calculator:
Enter the number of credits for each course you've taken and select the corresponding letter grade from the dropdown menu. You can add as many courses as needed by clicking the "Add Another Course" button. If you make a mistake, you can remove a course entry. Once all your courses are entered, click "Calculate Cumulative GPA" to see your overall academic standing.