The Ultimate Guide What is GPA and Why Is it Important

GPA, or grade point average, is a figure that reflects the typical value of all combined final grades obtained over the duration of a course. Of course, the grading system wasn’t already complicated enough for students to understand, so they decided to add one more point system. You must be familiar with the A, B, C, D, and F grading systems. But GPA is a whole different ball game.

However, it is essential for your "good standing" as a student, continued enrollment in your major, future financial aid eligibility, which depends on maintaining a satisfactory GPA, potential eligibility for scholarships, potential employment opportunities, eligibility for collegiate athletic teams, and more. So, you might want to read this carefully and clearly understand what GPA is. 

What Is GPA?

The grade point average, or GPA, as it's commonly known, is a figure that represents the average grade you have received for each of your courses. Your GPA monitors your academic achievement on a scale from 1.0 to 4.0. This figure is used to determine whether you satisfy the requirements and criteria established by the degree programme or university.

Ezra Stiles, the president of Yale, first used GPA when he established the first grading system in the country in 1785 using the terms Optimi, Second Optimi, Inferiores, and Perjores. In 1817, other universities, including William and Mary, adopted comparable strategies.

Let's say you get an A+ in a subject. The 4 points obtained from an A+ in a class during the semester count toward your cumulative GPA, which is the average of the grades you received over the course of a semester or academic year.

How To Calculate Your GPA?

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You know what GPA is. But now stands one more question: how to calculate GPA? The basic formula for calculating GPA is dividing the total number of programme points obtained by the total number of attempted credits. Converting UK school grades to GPA can be a bit tricky, but don't worry; we’ll guide you through it in simple terms.

To calculate your GPA or convert your UK Grades to GPA, you need to know these things:

1. Credits attempted - This is the total number of credits you've attempted for the courses you have taken.
2. Final grades earned - You can view your final grades in your program's coursework using your unofficial transcript.
3. Point values for specific grades - A point value is given to each grade. The point values for your grades are assigned like this.

1. A = 4.0
2. B = 3.0
3. C = 2.0
4. D = 1.0

Suppose you take four courses: English, Maths, Biology and History. You manage to rack up 5, 1, 5, and 5 credit hours in them, respectively. That gives you a total of 16 hours of credit attempted. Now, you are graded A, B, C, and F (remember this is hypothetical) in the courses, respectively. So, going by the point values assigned to each of the grades, your grade points are 20, 3, 10, and 0, respectively. That equals 33 total grade points. Now, referring to the GPA calculator formula, the Total grade points earned(33) divided by the number of credits attempted (16). That gives you 2.06, which is your GPA. We know, not exactly a simple formula, but hey, we aren't the ones who came up with it. So until some genius comes up with an easier and smarter way to calculate GPA, this is your best bet.

Converting CGPA To GPA

CGPA is a popular grading scheme used in many countries like Pakistan, India, and other regions of the world. The grading scheme employed in the US is called GPA, on the other hand. Let's get into it! You have to carry out the following steps in order to convert your CGPA to GPA:

Step 1: Understanding your CGPA scale 

CGPA scales might differ depending on the institution or country. The CGPA may be measured on a scale of 4.0 in some instances or a scale of 10.0 or another range. Verify the scale on which your CGPA is calculated. 

Step 2: Determine the corresponding GPA scale

In the US, the GPA scale normally runs from 0.0 to 4.0. Some colleges, however, might have their modifications. You must inquire about the GPA scale directly with the particular university you are considering.

Step 3: Calculate the conversion

You can determine the equivalent GPA once you are familiar with both the CGPA and GPA scales. A general formula you can use is as follows:

1. GPA is equal to (CGPA / CGPA scale) x GPA scale.

If you wish to convert your CGPA from 8.5 on a 10.0 scale to 4.0 on a GPA scale. The calculation is as follows:

2. GPA = (8.5 / 10.0) * 4.0 = 3.4

Therefore, in this instance, your CGPA of 8.5 would roughly be equivalent to a GPA of 3.4. Just keep in mind that there can be a few minor differences depending on the exact conversion scale employed by the school you're applying to. This is a typical method for converting CGPA to GPA. To get correct information based on the university's criteria, it's always a good idea to get in touch with them or speak with an academic advisor.

Why GPA Matters?

1. In universities and colleges, your eligibility for financial assistance programmes, scholarships,and other help is based on your average GPA. You risk losing financial assistance if your GPA drops below the required level (often 2.0, but this varies from institution to institution). Additionally, 
2. GPAs are a prerequisite for joining a particular club or organisation or participating in extracurricular activities. You could miss many chances if your academic efforts aren't up to grade. 
3. Your GPA is equally crucial if you wish to continue your education and apply for a Master's or PhD degree. Some schools will accept applicants with GPAs of 2.75, 3.0, or 3.5. But one thing is sure: having a good GPA certainly does more good than harm.

Ways To Improve GPA

We hope you don't need to read this section, but if you do, there is no need to worry if your GPA is lower than what you desired. It can be improved in different ways. Some ways that students can improve their GPA are:

1. Make sure to attend classes regularly

It seems like a no-brainer, right? You signed up for the class, so it's evident that you would attend it. But we know this is easier said than done for university/college students. You might be skipping classes for various reasons, and they might be genuine more often than not. But you won't be helping your case if you're not regular. So be sure to attend classes regularly.

2. Be active in classes.

Now that you're attending classes, it's better to be active and contribute to the class than be a silent spectator. Not only does this help you retain information and remember things taught to you to the professor's notice, but it can also assist you in improving your points for the particular class.

3. Hand in your assignments on time (before, even if possible)

Assignments must be submitted by a specific date; if you miss the deadline, you will not receive credit for the project. If you're wondering how to improve your GPA, make a schedule that will give you enough time to do all of your tasks by the due date.

4. Choose your subjects carefully.

Avoid choosing subjects that are too difficult or take up a large amount of your time. If you are not doing well in an elective, talk to your professor, and if there is an option, either change it to a class or drop it altogether. 

If you want more help regarding this, head to our blog on How to Improve GPA, which solely focuses on this aspect.

GPA Requirement For US And UK Universities

In the United States, GPA (Grade Point Average) requirements for universities can vary depending on the institution and the program you are applying to. Generally speaking, most universities will look for a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, although some highly competitive programs may require a higher GPA. However, it's important to keep in mind that GPA is just one factor that universities consider when making admissions decisions, and other factors like test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays can also play a significant role. Here's everything you need to know about the US grading system. 

In the United Kingdom, GPA is not typically used as a measure of academic achievement in the same way as it is in the US. Instead, universities will typically look at your overall academic record, including the grades you have earned on specific exams like the A-levels or International Baccalaureate. The specific requirements for admission will vary depending on the university and program you are applying to, so it's important to research the requirements carefully and consult with admissions staff if you have questions.

Difference Between Unweighted and Weighted GPA

Unweighted GPA is calculated on a standard 4.0 scale, where each letter grade is assigned a numerical value (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). Your unweighted GPA is simply the average of all your grades on this scale, with no additional weight given to any particular course or assignment.

On the other hand, a weighted GPA takes into account the level of difficulty of the courses you have taken. For example, if you have taken honours or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, these may be assigned a higher numerical value (such as A=5, B=4, etc.) to reflect the additional rigour and challenge of these courses. Your weighted GPA is calculated by averaging your grades on this scale, with the higher numerical values given to the more challenging courses.

Difference Between Cumulative GPA and Overall GPA

To explain this in short, Cumulative GPA measures academic performance over a specific period of time, while overall GPA measures academic performance across a student's entire high school or college career. Overall, GPA is often used as a key factor in college and university admissions decisions, as it provides a broad overview of a student's academic performance over time. Cumulative GPA, on the other hand, is more focused on specific periods of time and can be used by students to track their progress and identify areas where they may need to improve.

What is a good GPA in College/University?

GPA is crucial to take into consideration, but when you are undertaking the course of your choice, it is important to remember that it is not all that matters. Universities and employers just don’t look at your marks or your grades. They also consider your extra-curricular activities. This makes them understand that you, as a personnel, will also make significant other contributions to the organisation. With a good GPA, things like internships, jobs, and many other hobbies are highly valued on applications. It is very important that you get a good GPA, but it is equally important that you get amazing experiences and teachings, which in return also help you mould yourself into a well-rounded person. 

So now you know what GPA is and that GPA is not as complicated as it seems, and why is it so important? It does seem a bit complex at first, but hopefully, we've simplified it for you. Since it's hard to sum up someone's background, personality, and skills in a single figure, your GPA doesn't determine who you are. It does, however, give colleges and employers a clear sense of how seriously you treated your education and how consistently you maintained your grades. You can also read our blog on the simple guide for a percentage to GPA converter. 

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