* The school's grading scale: Some schools use weighted GPAs, some don't. A 2.5 GPA at one school might be considered average, while at another, it might be below average.
* The student's goals: A 2.8 GPA might be considered acceptable for admission to some colleges but insufficient for others, especially highly competitive ones. For vocational schools or certain jobs, a GPA might not even be a major factor.
* The student's individual progress: A GPA that's lower than a student's previous GPAs might be a cause for concern, even if it's technically above a certain threshold.
Generally speaking, a GPA below a 2.0 is often considered poor, particularly in the context of college admissions. However, a GPA below 3.0 might be considered below average or insufficient for certain scholarships or competitive programs.
In short, a "bad" GPA is subjective and depends on individual circumstances. It's best to consider the GPA in relation to the specific requirements and expectations of the individual's goals.