The Formula
GPA is a weighted average of grade points, where the weight is the number of credits each course carries.
Step 1: For each course, multiply the grade point value by the credit value to get "quality points."
Step 2: Add all quality points together.
Step 3: Divide by the total number of credits.
Worked Example — 9th Grade Year
| Course | Grade | Grade Pts | Credits | Quality Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English I | A | 4.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Algebra I | B+ | 3.3 | 1.0 | 3.3 |
| World History | A- | 3.7 | 1.0 | 3.7 |
| Biology with Lab | B | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 |
| Spanish I | A | 4.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| PE/Health | Pass | — | 0.5 | — |
| Totals | 5.5 | 18.0 |
GPA = 18.0 ÷ 5.5 = 3.27 (note: PE graded Pass/Fail is excluded from the GPA calculation; only graded courses count)
Unweighted vs. Weighted GPA
The unweighted GPA treats every course identically — an A in AP Calculus earns the same 4.0 as an A in Ceramics. This is the baseline that colleges compare across all applicants.
The weighted GPA adds bonus points for more rigorous courses. Standard convention: Honors courses get +0.5 (so an A = 4.5), AP or college-level courses get +1.0 (so an A = 5.0). Always cap at 5.0 and always label weighted GPA as weighted on the transcript.
Report both. Put unweighted GPA in the primary GPA field; note the weighted GPA on your school profile page with a clear explanation of the weighting system.
Grade Point Conversion Tables
| Letter | Standard (4.0) | Plus/Minus | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ / A / A- | 4.0 / 4.0 / 3.7 | 4.3 / 4.0 / 3.7 | 97–100 / 93–96 / 90–92 |
| B+ / B / B- | 3.0 / 3.0 / 3.0 | 3.3 / 3.0 / 2.7 | 87–89 / 83–86 / 80–82 |
| C+ / C / C- | 2.0 / 2.0 / 2.0 | 2.3 / 2.0 / 1.7 | 77–79 / 73–76 / 70–72 |
| D / F | 1.0 / 0.0 | 1.0 / 0.0 | 60–69 / below 60 |
Pass/Fail Courses
Pass/Fail courses (common for PE, health, and some electives) are listed on the transcript but excluded from the GPA calculation. They earn credits toward graduation but do not affect the grade point average. This is standard practice and should be noted on the transcript ("P/F courses excluded from GPA calculation").
How to Handle Narrative Evaluations
If you used narrative assessments instead of letter grades for some courses, you have three options: (1) Convert to letter grades retroactively using a documented rubric — this is legitimate if done honestly; (2) Apply to colleges with portfolio-based review (many liberal arts colleges); (3) List those courses on the transcript without a grade and with a note "Narrative evaluation available upon request." The third option is least competitive for admissions but is honest.
Community colleges and open-enrollment institutions typically accept students regardless of GPA; many use placement tests instead. Regional four-year colleges generally want 2.5–3.0 unweighted GPA. Competitive universities look for 3.5+ unweighted from their average admitted class, though they consider the full application. For homeschoolers, a strong SAT/ACT score that corroborates the GPA is especially important since there is no third-party school to verify the transcript.
You can weight courses you designed to AP rigor even without the exam — but be transparent. Label them "AP-level" rather than "AP" on the transcript if the student didn't sit the exam. The AP designation on a transcript implies College Board course alignment and usually exam participation. If you designed a course to AP standards, note that in the course description, and if the student scored well on a relevant SAT Subject Test or the AP exam itself, that corroborates the rigor claim.