How GPA is calculated
Each letter grade is turned into points (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0, with ±0.3 for plus/minus), multiplied by the class credits and averaged. Many schools add 0.5 for Honors and 1.0 for AP or IB classes to make a weighted GPA. Colleges often recalculate GPA using only core academic classes.
FAQ
Is a 3.5 GPA good for college?
A 3.5 unweighted GPA means mostly A− and B+ grades; it is above the national average and competitive for many universities, though highly selective colleges usually admit students near 3.9–4.0.
Sources (checked 6 Nov 2026): common 4.0 scale used by the College Board and most US high schools; weighting conventions vary by school district.