Instructors generally give grades as letters. Transforming them into quality points usually follows this scale:
A = 4.00 quality points
A- = 3.67
B+ = 3.33
B = 3.00
B- = 2.67
C+ = 2.33
C = 2.00
C- = 1.67
D+ = 1.33
D = 1.00
Grades of F and other designations, such as WNA (withdrew, non-attendance), do not receive quality points.
The cumulative GPA is calculated by multiplying all of the quality points by the number of credits or credit-hours of a given class and then averaging the result of all classes. An "A" in a four-credit science class that has a lab, for example, will carry four times the weight of an "A" one-credit yoga class when calculating the GPA.
Most schools impose a minimum standard GPA overall, with a slightly higher GPA in courses in a student's major field of study. This is in addition to the number and distribution of credits. In other words, a student who completes all the course work but has a GPA that is lower than the acceptable standard may be required to repeat classes to bring that GPA higher to graduate. Courses with a higher level of quality points carry greater weight in calculating this GPA and allowing a student to complete an academic program.