How to Calculate Your GPA
What is the GPA?
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is the average of the grade points earned from all classes taken over a specific period of time. If you were to view your unofficial transcript in the Student Center on Onestart, you would see a GPA for each semester as well as a cumulative (all semesters) GPA. The GPA is a measure of your overall academic performance.
The GPA Calculation:
The variables used in the GPA calculation are as follows:
Grade Points represent the numerical value associated with a letter grade. The sum of all grade points earned for each class is referred to as the GPA Points. See the table to the right to find the grade point values for the letter grades used at IUB. The number of grade points earned in one class is determined by multiplying the Grade Point Value (see table) by the Credit hours earned by the class. For example, a grade of A in a 3.00 credit hour course will contribute 4.0 X 3.00 = 12 Grade Points to a student’s GPA.
GPA Credit Hours (a.k.a GPA Hours) are the sum of the credit hours for courses with a grade of A+ through F. Note: The credit hours for courses in which a grade of F is earned will NOT be counted towards degree credit, but they are used in the GPA calculation. Also, if a course is taken pass/fail and is passed (a grade of P or S), the credit hours will count toward degree credit but are not factored into the GPA calculation. The grades of P and S do not have any grade point value.
Examples of the GPA calculation.
1. Semester GPA Calculation
A student earned the following grades in fall semester.
| Class | Credit Hours | Grade | Grade Points per class |
| CHEM-C 103 | 5.00 | C | 5.00 X 2.0 = 10.0 |
| MATH-M 118 | 3.00 | B- | 3.00 X 2.7 = 8.1 |
| ENG-W 131 | 3.00 | B | 3.00 X 3.0 = 9.0 |
| COLL-E 103 | 3.00 | C+ | 3.00 X 2.3 = 6.9 |
| HPER-E 102 | 1.00 | F | 1.00 X 0.0 = 0.0 |
Credit hours earned = 15.00
GPA Points = 34.0
GPA (Credit) Hours = 15.00
GPA = 2.667
This student’s fall semester GPA is 2.667. NOTE: IU rounds the GPA to 3 places after the decimal point.
2. Second Semester GPA Calculation
This student earned the following grades in spring semester. Note that one course, HPER-E 133, was passed with a grade of S. This grade has no grade point value. Therefore the credit hour from this course is not a GPA Credit Hour and is not included in the sum of GPA Hours.
| Class | Credit Hours | Grade | Grade Points per class |
| FOLK-F 101 | 3.00 | C+ | 3.00 X 2.3 = 6.9 |
| MATH-M 211 | 4.00 | B- | 4.00 X 2.7 = 10.8 |
| BUS-A 100 | 1.00 | B | 1.00 X 3.0 = 3.0 |
| HIST-H 105 | 3.00 | A | 3.00 X 4.0 = 12.0 |
| HPER-E 133 | 1.00 | S | NA ____ |
Credit hours earned = 12.00
GPA Points = 32.7
GPA (Credit) Hours = 11.00
GPA = 2.973
This student’s spring semester GPA is 2.973.
3. Calculation of the IU Cumulative GPA for the student with the fall and spring semester grades show in examples 1 and 2.
| Term | Class | Credit Hours | Grade | Grade Points per class |
| Fall | CHEM-C 103 | 5.00 | C | 5.00 X 2.0 = 10.0 |
| Fall | MATH-M 118 | 3.00 | B- | 3.00 X 2.7 = 8.1 |
| Fall | ENG-W 131 | 3.00 | B | 3.00 X 3.0 = 9.0 |
| Fall | COLL-E 103 | 3.00 | C+ | 3.00 X 2.3 = 6.9 |
| Fall | HPER-E 133 | 1.00 | F | 1.00 X 0.0 = 0.0 |
| Spring | FOLK-F 101 | 3.00 | C+ | 3.00 X 2.3 = 6.9 |
| Spring | MATH-M 211 | 4.00 | B- | 4.00 X 2.7 = 10.8 |
| Spring | BUS-A 100 | 1.00 | B | 1.00 X 3.0 = 3.0 |
| Spring | HIST-H 105 | 3.00 | A | 3.00 X 4.0 = 12.0 |
| Spring | HPER-E 133v | 1.00 | S | NA ____ |
Credit hours earned = 27.00
GPA Points = 66.7
GPA (Credit) hours = 26.00
Cumulative GPA = 2.565
This student’s cumulative GPA for the fall and spring is 2.565.
THE CALCULATION OF YOUR GPA
- Log on to OneStart, go to the Student Center, click on the link “My Academics and Grades”, and then click on “View my unofficial transcript.”
- Look below each semester’s classes. You will find the GPA and Credit Hour information for both the semester and for all semesters (cumulative) up to and including that semester. Find the IU GPA hours, Hours earned, GPA Points, and GPA at the end of each semester.
- Pick a semester and use the GPA Points and GPA Hours to check the calculation of the semester GPA and cumulative GPA. Can you see that the GPA equals the (GPA Points) ÷ (GPA Hours)? Can you also see how the GPA Points were determined using the grade point values and credit hours for each class? Check the calculation of the GPA points for a semester (use the table above).
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Go to the bottom of the unofficial transcript to find the cumulative GPA summaries. The cumulative GPA is given for all semesters in which grades were earned.
- A. Find the Student Undergraduate Program Summary (Program GPA). The Program GPA is the GPA for the student’s school (such as the College of Arts and Sciences). Each school at IUB has its own rules regarding what courses may be used in the calculation of the school or program GPA. To learn about these GPA rules for your school (program), consult the school Bulletin. [url for this link http://www.indiana.edu/~bulletin/iub/].
- B. Find the Indiana University Undergraduate Summary (IU GPA). The IU GPA is the cumulative GPA that will appear on your official transcript. University Division uses the IU cumulative GPA to determine a student’s academic standing.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GPA at IU
You should know the information about GPA provided by the Office of the Registrar at IUBand by your school (program).
