1. What is Weighted GPA?

Weighted GPA is a grading system that assigns different weights to courses based on their difficulty level. It gives extra points for honors, AP (Advanced Placement), or IB (International Baccalaureate) courses, allowing for GPAs above 4.0.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the weighted GPA formula:

Where:

• \( Grade \) — Course grade on 4.0 scale (e.g., A=4.0, B=3.0)
• \( Credit\ Hours \) — Number of credit hours for the course
• \( Weight \) — Course weight factor (e.g., 1.0 for regular, 1.5 for honors, 2.0 for AP/IB)

Explanation: The formula calculates the sum of weighted grade points divided by total credit hours, giving more weight to challenging courses.

3. Importance of Weighted GPA

Details: Weighted GPA provides a more accurate representation of academic achievement by rewarding students who take more challenging coursework. It's particularly important for college admissions and scholarship applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter grades on a 4.0 scale, credit hours, and appropriate weight factors. You can calculate for multiple courses by filling in additional course fields. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
A: Unweighted GPA uses a standard 4.0 scale, while weighted GPA can exceed 4.0 by giving extra points for advanced courses.

Q2: What are typical weight factors?
A: Regular courses: 1.0, Honors courses: 1.5, AP/IB courses: 2.0, though this varies by institution.

Q3: Do all colleges consider weighted GPA?
A: Most colleges consider both weighted and unweighted GPAs, but some may recalculate according to their own formulas.

Q4: Can weighted GPA be higher than 4.0?
A: Yes, weighted GPA can go up to 5.0 or higher depending on the weighting system used by the school.

Q5: How many courses should I include?
A: Include all courses for the semester or academic period you're calculating. For cumulative GPA, include all courses taken.