What is a Weighted Grade?

High school grade point averages (GPAs) are factored into the college admissions process (along with SAT scores, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, etc.)

•The highest GPA on a traditional grading scale is a 4.0 (meaning straight “A” grades.)

•However, each AP and IB course is weighted, meaning a student will earn a higher point value for each grade, which means a higher GPA as well.

•A = 5 (instead of a 4), B = 4, C = 3, D= 2

•Instead of a 4.0 GPA for straight ”A”s, taking AP or IB courses could lead to a GPA above 4.0 (4.3 for example.)

•Note- Most colleges accept weighted grades, and while some colleges “unweight” grades when factoring for admissions, they do consider course rigor in their entrance calculations.