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Your High School Grade Point Average (GPA) is the single most important number for college admissions. It tells a story about your academic work ethic over four years. However, calculating it can be confusing. What is the difference between Weighted and Unweighted? How do honors classes count? Our Cumulative HS GPA Calculator allows you to combine your previous transcript data with your current semester's grades to see exactly where you stand.
The formula is simple: Total Quality Points / Total Credits Attempted.
While every school is different, here are general ranges for unweighted GPAs:
Most cumulative GPAs include freshman year. If you did poorly in 9th grade, you can raise your GPA by taking extra classes or summer school to increase the denominator (credits) while scoring high points (A's). An upward trend looks great to admissions officers.
If your school ranks by Weighted GPA, taking AP/IB classes is the only way to break the 4.0 ceiling. An "A" in AP Bio (5.0) is mathematically better than an "A" in Gym (4.0). However, don't overwhelm yourself—a "C" in AP is worse than a "B" in regular.
Mistakes happen! Request a copy of your unofficial transcript. Ensure that all your credits are recorded and that summer classes or dual-enrollment college courses are factored in correctly. One missing credit can throw off your entire calculation.
Yes, for almost all cumulative calculations. However, some colleges (like the UC system in California) recalculate your GPA using only 10th and 11th grade for admission purposes.
Weighted GPA gives you bonus points for taking difficult classes (Honors, AP, IB, Dual Enrollment). It allows your GPA to exceed 4.0 (e.g., 4.5). Unweighted GPA is always on a strict 0.0-4.0 scale.
Generally, yes. Art, Music, and Gym usually count toward your cumulative GPA, though sometimes with different weight depending on your district's policy.
Most schools calculate to two decimal places (e.g., 3.45). Do not round up yourself (e.g., don't call a 3.45 a 3.5) unless a form specifically asks for one decimal place.
A "good" GPA is one that meets the requirements of your target college. The national average is around 3.0 (a "B" average).
