How GPA Is Calculated

GPA is a credit-weighted average: multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours, add them all up, then divide by total credits.

Four courses worth 3, 3, 4 and 2 credits with grade points 4.0, 3.7, 3.3 and 4.0 give (12 + 11.1 + 13.2 + 8) ÷ 12 = 3.69.

Because credits are weights, a weak grade in a heavy course hurts far more than the same grade in a one-credit elective.