Converting one or more values as a percentage into a Grade Point Average (GPA) is indeed quite difficult. However, this knowledge can be very useful when you are in college. It also helps if you plan to continue your education abroad, both at the high school level and at the S1, S2, and S3 levels. These few simple methods will help you convert your grades in percentages accurately to a 4.0 GPA scale.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Converting a Grade to a 4.0 GPA Scale
Step 1. Know the formula for converting a percentage to a 4.0 GPA scale
In the following example, "x" represents a percentage. To convert it to a GPA on a scale of 4.0, the formula is GPA = (x/20) - 1.
Step 2. Enter the percentage into the formula, then calculate
Let's say you scored 89% in Geology. Just plug that value into the formula to get the following calculation:
- 89/20 - 1 =
- 4, 45 - 1 = 3, 45
- That is, the GPA which is equivalent to a score of 89% is 3.45.
Step 3. Use the same formula if the percentage is greater than 100%
The process will remain the same even if your score is more than 100%. Let's say the Algebra value is 108%. So, the calculation is:
- 108/20 - 1 =
- 5, 4 - 1 = 4, 4
- That is, the GPA which is equivalent to a value of 108% is 4, 4.
Step 4. Consider using a scale
This method can be useful, depending on the purpose of calculating the GPA. If you're calculating a grade just to check its position in your college average GPA, then you don't need to follow this formula. After all, all values will be in the range. For example, if your grades are in the 83-86 range, then--depending on campus policy--you might get a B, or a 3.0 GPA, whether you get an 83 or an 86.
Check your campus GPA system to find out how to calculate it; some campuses have different ranges for A- or A, B or B+, and so on
Method 2 of 4: Converting Some Values To GPA 4, 0
Step 1. List numeric values next to each of your values
Each grade you get at the end of the class has a numeric value, which is equivalent to a 4.0 scale. Find the numerical equivalent of your grade. Provisions for numerical values from one campus to another can be slightly different. First, check the GPA system at your campus. The following is a fairly common scoring system:
- A = 4
- A- = 3, 7
- B+ = 3, 3
- B = 3
- B- = 2, 7
- C+ = 2, 3
- C = 2, 0
- C- = 1.7
- D+ = 1, 3
- D = 1
- D- = 0, 7
- F = 0
Step 2. Add up all the numeric values
For example, let's say you scored in the following subjects: English (C+), History (B), Mathematics (B+), Chemistry (C+), Physical Health Education (A-), and Arts (A-). This means that your numeric values are: 2, 3 + 3 + 3, 3 + 2, 3 + 3, 7 + 3, 7 = 18, 3.
Step 3. Divide the total numeric score by the number of courses you took
Yes, you do only need to calculate the average numeric value. The result is a 4.0 scale GPA.
In our example, we add up all the numeric values and get 18, 3. Since there are 6 courses, we divide 18, 3 by 6. So, 18, 3 6 = 3, 05 (or 3, 1)
Method 3 of 4: Calculating a Weighted GPA
Step 1. Understand the weighted GPA
Weighted GPA is the concept that courses with a higher level of difficulty, such as honors or accelerated classes, should be considered to reflect the increasing level of difficulty. So, instead of using a 4.0 scale, a weighted GPA can reach 5.0. Getting a "C" for Algebra in accelerated class is as difficult as getting a "B" for Algebra in regular class.
Step 2. List numeric values next to each of your values
This time, use the same table as above (method 2), but add 1 point for each grade you get with honors or in accelerated classes. Usually the scale system looks like this:
- A = 5
- A- = 4, 7
- B+ = 4, 3
- B = 4
- B- = 3, 7
- C+ = 3, 3
- C = 3, 0
- C- = 2.7
- D+ = 2, 3
- D = 2
- D- = 1.7
- F = 1
Step 3. Add up all the numeric values
For example, let's say you scored in the following subjects: English in accelerated class (C), History with honors (B), Mathematics (B), Chemistry in accelerated class (C+), Music Theory (B-), and Arts with a mark of honor (A-). This means that your numerical values are: 3 + 4 + 3 + 3, 3 + 2, 7 + 4, 7 = 20, 7.
Step 4. Divide the total numeric score by the number of courses you took
Again, you're just trying to find the average numeric value. The result is a 5.0 GPA scale. Please note, you can only get a 5.0 GPA if all the courses you take are accompanied by honors or in accelerated classes and you get an "A" for each course. However, there are also courses that usually have to be taken without any additional difficulty, such as physical health education.
In our example, we add up all the numeric values and get 20, 7. Since there are 6 courses, we divide 20, 7 by 6. So, 20, 7 6 = 3, 45 (or 3, 5)
Method 4 of 4: Counting Transcripts or Research Courses
For undergraduate students, transcripts or postgraduate research students (without additional courses), use this method.
Step 1. Multiply the course credit by the value expressed in letters (see the example below) to get Quality Points
For example: (3 credits*4, 5 (A+))
Step 2. Add up all credits for the last 2 years of study or in the last 60 credits (see example above)
Step 3. Divide the total number of Quality Points by the total credits
- GPA: (Credits*Scores in numbers)/(Total Credits); or
- (Quality points)/(Total Credits)
Step 4. Done
This is your GPA.
