Grading Scale for Weighted GPA
Learn how to calculate your weighted GPA. It is important because many
colleges use a weighted GPA to evaluate applicants. They take regular GPA and use it to
calculate weighted grades. A weighted GPA scale gives additional grade points for courses that are more challenging than others, such as advanced placement (AP) and honors classes. College admissions committees and scholarship committees often use this weighting system to encourage students to take more difficult courses. By rewarding students with a higher
weighted GPA score for taking AP and honors classes in high school, they aim to discourage students from taking classes that are just "easy A" classes. This, in turn, helps them decide which students are more academically gifted. Some people argue that this method is unfair to some students. The fact is that many admissions committees are deeply entrenched in the idea that weighted grades show a more accurate profile of a student's abilities.
There are many different GPA grading scales in use, but the most common is the 5-point weighted GPA scale (see below). It is a traditional 4-point GPA scale for most classes. The difference is that advanced placement (AP) and honors classes receive an extra grade point. So, for instance, an A grade in a regular class, such as Home Economics, will receive 4 points for an A. In comparison, an A in AP English will receive 5 grade points. A B grade in the same AP English class would receive 4 weighted GPA points. Here is a breakdown of the 5-point GPA scale for weighted grades:
Regular GPA:
A: 4 points
B: 3 points
C: 2 points
D: 1 point
Weighted GPA (applies to Advanced Placement and honors courses only):
A: 5 points
B: 4 points
C: 3 points
D: 2 points
Each partial grade step adjusts by 0.333.