Look for the date on the transcript. The date, written in the form "semester- year," such as "Fall 2010," symbolizes the appropriate semester.
Read over the class list. This list, usually on the left side on the transcript, under the semester, consists of the exact name of the class. This may not be the common name for the class. For example, a class you usually call "Spanish History" may be titled "Latin-American Civilization."
Move your gaze from the class name to the class code. The class code, usually on the right of the class name, consists of the subject and a 3- to 5-digit code used for registration. For example, a history class may say "HIST 101," while an English class says "ENGL 523." Typically, the letters of the code only display the course number and do not give you any information about the class.
Check the grades. The grades, typically located to the right of the class code, are found in the form of letters. Grades may include "Pass" and "Fail," in addition to the letters A through D.
Look for the grade point, usually next to the letter grade. Grade points are between 0.0 and 4.0, with an A being a 4.0, a B being a 3.0, a C being a 2.0 and a D as a 1.0. Any failed classes are 0.0. Many colleges give third-points for pluses and minuses. For example, a B+ is a 3.3 while a B- is a 2.7.
Check the cumulative GPA, located beneath the semester. Typically, this is labeled with "Semester Total" or "Cumulative Total." The "Semester Total" gives you the GPA for the semester, whereas the "Cumulative Total" gives you the GPA for all previous semesters. There may be a "Major GPA," that describes the cumulative GPA of all classes in your major. If you are looking at a high school transcript, there will not be a Major GPA. However, there may be a "Non-weighted GPA." The non-weighted GPA describes the GPA of all of the classes without the extra grade points assigned for honors classes.