Tips for Using the GPA Calculator
This calculator will help you make a GPA estimate for a semester's worth of courses. Here are some tips for using it:
- The 'Course Number' field is not required, but helpful for keeping track of which courses you are entering.
- The 'Credit Hours' and 'Grade Expected/Received' fields are required for calculation. Any course that does not contain both values will not be factored into the calculation.
- Use the '+' and '-' buttons in the 'Add/Subtract Row' column as needed.
- The maximum number of courses that can be calculated is 12.
Calculating Your Grade Point Average
A grade point average, or GPA, is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points, or quality points, you've earned by the total number of credit hours you've attempted during a given period. The amount of grade points you earn per course is equal to the number of credits the course is worth multiplied by the number of points the received/expected grade is worth. Look at the chart below to figure how much each grade is worth.
| Grade | Points per Credit Hour | Grade | Points per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.000 | D | 1.000 |
| A- | 3.700 | D- | 0.700 |
| B+ | 3.300 | F | 0.000 |
| B | 3.000 | CR* | 0.000 |
| B- | 2.700 | NC* | 0.000 |
| C+ | 2.300 | W* | 0.000 |
| C | 2.000 | WP* | 0.000 |
| C- | 1.700 | WF* | 0.000 |
| D+ | 1.300 | I* | 0.000 |
Coursework That Doesn't Factor In
Certain grades will have no impact on your GPA. Getting a 'W', 'WP', or 'WF' by withdrawing from a class will not affect your GPA, and will not add to your total number of credits. Similarly, getting an 'I', or 'Incomplete', for a course will also not contribute to your GPA. When that 'Incomplete' is changed to its final grade, it will retroactively be computed into your GPA.
Finally, be aware that courses taken as credit/no credit (CR/NC) will not be factored into your GPA. This option is meant to encourage academic exploration in subjects of interest without adding the pressure of grading.
Final Considerations
If you have questions about the calculation of your GPA, you should speak with your advisor or look in the appropriate student catalog for the year you entered JMU.
If you'd like to see how your performance this semester could impact your overall GPA, try out the cumulative GPA calculator. To figure out how well you'd need to do in the future to raise or maintain your GPA, use the GPA goal setting calculator.
