Grade Point Average (GPA)

High schools can calculate GPAs based on your letter grades in different ways. The method for calculating a GPA is a universal one. Each traditional grade is assigned a certain amount of points as follows: A = 4; B = 3; C = 2; D = 1; F = 0. Each of these points is added up for a total that is then divided by the number of courses taken.

Here is a sample report card and GPA calculation:

1. Government:  A    = 4 points

2. English:  B                = 3 points

3. Biology:  B                = 3 points

4. Algebra:  C               = 2 points

5. US History:  A         = 4 points

6. Art:  D                         = 1 point

7. Spanish:  A               = 4 points

              Total points = 21

              21 ÷ 7 = 3.0 GPA

You can’t wait until your junior or senior year to start worrying about your cumulative GPA. Every single class you take during high school gets averaged in, so your freshman and sophomore year grades are just as important. If you fail every class in the first year or two, it’ll be unlikely to graduate with an above average GPA. For example, if you receive all D’s or 1.0’s in 9th and 10th grade and all A’s or 4.0’s in 11th and 12th grade, your cumulative average GPA will be 2.5, which is a C average. 

Your Cal Grant GPA will be calculated on a 4.00 scale (to two decimal places) and extra weight will not be added for honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes. See attached file below for more information on how GPA is calculated for the Cal Grant.

Your GPA must include all grades from your sophomore year, the summer following your sophomore year, your junior year and the summer following your junior year, except those for physical education, Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and remedial courses. (Remedial courses are those that aren’t counted toward high school graduation.) If you apply after your senior year, your GPA must include your senior-year grades.

Failing grades for classes you haven’t repeated before your verified GPA is submitted also must be included. 

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