How to Calculate a Grade Point Average for High School Not Using a 4-Point Scale
High schools use grade point average, or GPA, to summarize the academic performance of students in their classes. Some high schools weigh their classes, giving bonuses to honors and advanced placement classes (AP), rather than using a standard four point scale for all classes. Schools do this to encourage students to take honors and AP classes without fearing they will lower their GPA. To calculate your weighted GPA, you need to know your school's GPA policy, the level of the courses you took and the grades you earned.
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Instructions
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Request the grade point averaging system from the school to determine how classes are weighted. For example, some schools may assign an extra 0.5 points for honors classes and one extra point for AP classes while others may offer one bonus point for honors classes and two bonus points for AP classes.
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Determine the level of each class. For example, out of six classes, a student may have three regular classes, two honors classes and one AP class.
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Determine the grades achieved in each class. For example, a student may have earned two regular A's, one regular B, an honors A, an honors C and an AP B.
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Determine the value of each grade based on the school's GPA system. For example, if the school awards an extra point for honors classes and an extra two points for AP classes, the two regular As would be worth four points each, the regular B would be worth three points, the honors A would be worth five points, the honors C would be worth three points and the AP B would be worth five points.
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Total the value of all the grades from step four. For example, the grades in step four would be worth a total of 24 points.
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Divide the total points from step 4 by the number of classes taken to calculate the student's GPA. For example, 24 points divided by 6 classes would give a GPA of 4.0.
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Tips & Warnings
Most schools do not award bonuses to grades of D or F in honors or AP classes. For example, an honors or AP D would be worth one point, just like a D earned in a regular class.
