What is a GPA Your GPA is just

What is a GPA?

Your GPA is just a way of converting your grades into a numerical scale. The grades that you receive in your high school classes are all averaged together to arrive at one cumulative grade, which is then converted into your GPA. The traditional GPA scale ranges from 0. 0 to 4. 0. A 93 -100 4 B 85 -92 3 C 75 -84 2 D 70 -74 1 F 0 -69 0

English 92 3 Algebra 1 84 2 Wellness 93 4 Physical Science 92 3 World History 74 1 Band 92 3 Average the far-right column together. Add them up and divide by 6. 3+2+4+3+1+3=16 16/6= 2. 67 is your GPA. A 93 -100 4 B 85 -92 3 C 75 -84 2 D 70 -74 1 F 0 -69 0

English 92 863 93 3 4 Algebra 1 1 75 752 80 2 2 Wellness 934 95 4 4 Physical Science 92 923 94 3 4 World History 74 741 75 1 2 Band 853 93 3 4 93 92 Now do it again with the grades in red. Average the farright column together. Add them up and divide by 6. 4+2+4+4+2+4=20 20/6= 3. 33 is your GPA. Look at the difference a point or two can make in a GPA! Notice how going from 75 to 80 did not help your GPA but going from 74 -75 did help your GPA. A 93 -100 4 B 85 -92 3 C 75 -84 2 D 70 -74 1 F 0 -69 0

Most colleges encourage high school students to take more difficult classes by requiring a weighted GPA on college applications. Regular Honors AP A 93 -100 4 4. 5 5 B 85 -92 3 3. 5 4 C 75 -84 2 2. 5 3 D 70 -74 1 1. 5 2 F 0 -69 0 0 0 Weighted GPAs are calculated using the extra quality points as shown in this chart. Unweighted GPAs do not add extra quality points. Unweighted GPAs are calculated with the regular quality point values regardless of honors or AP. When GPAs are weighted, it is possible to have a GPA over 4. 0.

Can GPA Be Improved? It's difficult to improve your GPA because it's the average of all your grades over the course of high school. If you end up with a C average your freshman year, for example, you could technically bring it up to a B+ average by the end of your junior year if you earned A averages during your sophomore and junior years. If you have a C average for both your freshman and sophomore years, the best you'll be able to do is a B- because the Cs from the first two years of high school will bring down your average so much. That's not to mention that going from a C average to an A average in all classes is not something that most people can manage since it requires such a drastic change in study habits and motivation. That being said, if you’re only in the first half of high school, you still have a fair amount of time to make some changes and show colleges a trend towards better grades.

You Can Improve Your GPA By: Asking for Extra Help This is always a smart choice if you feel yourself falling behind in a class. As soon as you start to struggle, ask for clarification so you don’t end up getting totally lost. You might just need things to be explained a different way! Reassessing Your Study Habits Your problems may also be related to procrastination or lack of studying. These bad habits are difficult to change, but it’s really important to step back and fix fundamental problems like this that are holding you back before they get out of hand.

College-bound? If you are planning to go to college after high school, check with the college(s) you are interested in and make sure your GPA meets the requirements by the end of your junior year. Colleges will want to see your grades at the beginning of your senior year, and at that point your guidance counselor will send all grades from freshman through junior year. They will also expect you to keep grades high your senior year.

Examples of College GPA Requirements: UTM REQUIRES A MINIMUM 3. 0 GPA WITH 19 ACT OR 2. 7 GPA WITH 21 ACT. UT KNOXVILLE DOESN’T HAVE A MINIMUM BUT THE AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOL GPA OF STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO UTK IS 3. 85. THE AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOL GPA OF STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS IS 3. 33. IF YOU HAVE A VERY STRONG ACT SCORE, THE COLLEGE MIGHT ACCEPT YOU WITH A LOWER GPA.