Grade Point Average is an average of a student’s combined grades across all of the classes she is taking. Each letter grade is converted to a number, which is then averaged into a single number. A grades are equal to 4, B's are equal to 3, C’s are equal to 2’s, D’s are equal to 1’s and F’s are 0. Under this system, the highest GPA a student can earn is a 4.0. However, this number can be affected higher with the addition of honors courses.
Since honors courses are perceived to be more difficult, they are graded differently. Under honors courses grading system, A’s are equal to 5, B’s are equal to 4, C’s are equal to 3, D’s are equal to 2 and F’s are equal to 1.
Some universities take into account “+” and “-” makes in addition to the regular grade achieved. Under this system, A+ is equal to 4.33, A- is equal to 3.67, B+ is equal to 3.33, B- is equal to 2.67, C+ is equal to 2.33, C- is equal to 1.67, D+ is equal to 1.33 and D- is equal to 0.67.
In addition to the grades earned, the GPA is affected by the amount of credits a course is worth. For example, a course with 3 credits will be weighted more against a course worth only 1 credit. The total number of credits taken is included in the GPA calculation.
To calculate GPA, convert each letter grade to its applicable number. Then, multiply each grade number by the number of credits the course is worth. Finally, divide this number by the total number of credits taken. This will be your GPA number. For example, if you take four classes worth three credits each and you get two A’s and two B’s, your GPA will be 3.5.