Weighted GPA Definition
Weighted grade point average is a measure used by high schools and universities to evaluate students' academic abilities. A weighted grading system uses a weighted GPA scale to assign grades. Grades in most courses use the traditional grading scale (usually a 4.0 scale). However, certain advanced classes, such as advanced placement (AP) and honors classes, receive more grade points. The weighted GPA example below shows how you can convert unweighted GPA to weighted GPA.
Here is an example of an unweighted vs. weighted GPA.
As we can see, weighted GPA is higher than unweighted, because the honors and AP classes receive higher grade points. You can also see that there are significant benefits to taking difficult classes if you can still earn high grades.
How is weighted GPA used?
The weighted grade point system is used in two main situations. The first is with high school grades. Many high schools use a weighted grading system with their students. This can be used when determining the valedictorian of the class. The second situation is with college applications. Some colleges will ask applicants to submit their GPA using a weighted grading scale. This helps the admissions committee to take into account the difficulty of the student's class schedule.
How do I calculate weighted GPA?
If your school uses a 5-point grading scale, you can use this weighted GPA calculator to figure out your grades.