How to Calculate Your GPA–Letter Grades and Percentages
One of my most popular posts is about how to calculate your “real” GPA. Some readers have asked how to translate grades expressed as a percent into letter grades, and then into a GPA based on a 4.0 scale.
Below is a chart that can serve as a starting point. Recognize, however, that all schools and colleges will have their own grading policies. This is one way to translate one kind of grade into another. It’s meant as a helpful tool, but you should always investigate how individual colleges and schools handle this translation before making any assumptions about how they will consider your own performance.
If you’re worried about your GPA, it’s likely that you are a bit nervous about how your GPA will affect your admission to college. There are three things to keep in mind.
First, it’s not just about your GPA overall. You need to pay close attention to your core GPA.
Second, you need to think first about which colleges fit you best. It may turn out that you are worrying too much for the wrong reasons.
Third, if you are having trouble fitting all these pieces together–your GPA, your test scores, your interests, your aptitudes–you may want to consider asking for some professional advice from an expert who can help you navigate the college admissions process.
Interested in a free consultation? Send me a note!
Mark Montgomery
Educational Consultant
Technorati Tags: GPA, grade point average, calculate, percentage, percent, weighted, unweighted, college, university, high school, admission Del.icio.us Tags: GPA, grade point average, calculate, percentage, percent, weighted, unweighted, college, university, high school, admission
About the Author
Mark Montgomery
As a former professor, administrator, and high school teacher, Mark has the knowledge and skills to counsel students as they make the transition from high school to college.
123 Responses to “How to Calculate Your GPA–Letter Grades and Percentages”
Leave a Comment
how can i calculate weighted average mark to GPA??? MY WEIGHTED AVERAGE MARK is 56.
thanx.
Hello Mashall,
It depends on what type of curriculum you are enrolled in. Where are you in school?
Katherine
my number is 17.60 of 20 point. how can I calculate my gpa?(for MIT university)
Hi, how can i translate my American GPA to a German GPA?
Hey, I dropped in because I had a question, but you have already answered it and I’m extremely relieved that 15 is actually considered GOOD in a French system. However I have another question, do you have some sort of a chart which can determine and translate the French system to an American? I’m currently in tenth grade in a French high school near Marseille, and one of my goals is to be admitted to Cornell- one of the best universities in NY. I’m wondering what a 13/14 average would be considered as on an American GPA scale? Also, one of the main reasons I’m actually leaving a comment, (I have never commented on website material before) is to let you know that your answers are probably some of the most useful I have ever encountered. You are doing an excellent job, thank you very much.
Hi, Natalie.
Remember, 15 is good, but 17 is better. LOL.
I don’t have a handy chart to make the correlations you seek. Such things don’t really exist. You will have to trust that Cornell (or wherever) will have a good idea of what the educational system is like in France, and they will compare you against others who have been educated in the same sort of system. You will be judged within the context in which you are educated. GPAs are not really “translated.”
I’m glad you find the website useful. Please come back again, and ask more questions!
Hi, Seif.
The short answer is that you cannot. You will be judged within the German context when your application is reviewed. You can eyeball things a bit if you know what your rank was as a graduate: top 10%, top 25%, top 50%. This will be an indicator of what colleges will accept you, and sometimes you can find such information on various websites.
Best of luck, and let me know if we can help you with identifying a good college for you in the US. We enjoy working with students from all over the world!
Hi, Reza. You don’t mention which school system you currently participate in, but the answer is that you cannot calculate your US GPA using numbers achieved outside of the US. You can try to figure out your class rank (did you graduate in the top 10%? Top 25%? Top 50%? That can give you a rough indicator of your statistical chances for admission to MIT. But even those stats are slippery.
Let me know I can provide you more personal guidance as you identify the best colleges for you, and as you prepare your applications. We enjoy working with students from all over the world!
Best of luck.
hi can someone help me find out my percentage if i have a 3.85 GPA. i’m applying in a university in mexico that is based on a 100% scale.
i hope someone can help me
thanks.
HEY SIR,I AM AN INDIAN.I WANT TO KNOW MY GPA ON 4 POINT SCALE.AS MY AGGREGATE PERCENTAGE IS 80%.
Hi I would like to say that you loose .3 for an a- thats not bad u loose so MUCH3
Hi I would like to say that you loose .3 for an a- thats not bad u loose so MUCH.
Why do u loose so many points if u get an A-.
Hello, Enrico. You do not need to worry about translating your school results in Mexico to an American GPA. Colleges and universities will know how to interpret your performance in Mexico. Don’t do anything: just submit your results and rest assured that it will be given a fair review.
Good luck!
Hello,
I went to school in Lima Peru. I’m applying for a government job and they are asking for my GPA. My GPA in Peru (20 point scale) is 13.95.
hii!
I have a 3.25 unweighted GPA
I knowo my weighted Gpa (4.4) doesnt really matter too much for college
but i was wondering what my percentage would be ?
3.25= ?
thanks
Hi, Virginia,
I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking. A 3.25 translates (roughly) to a B, but getting close to a B+. By some measures, this might mean that you ave about an 85%. But colleges will use the 3.25, if that is what is reported on your transcript.
Hope this helps!
Hello, Natalia. You should just give your Peruvian grade point average on the application. If there is room to explain, you might mention what a passing grade is considered under this system. But do not try to translate your Peruvian 13.95 into the American system. If you want to get an official transcript report prepared for an employ, you might check out the services offered by WES, or World Educational Services.
Best of luck!
Hello Sir
Thais is Nishat..I want to know my GPA..My average percenatge is 69..
Thnax
Dear Nishat,
I presume you are writing from India. You should not worry about translating your percentage into an American-style GPA. University admissions personnel in the US will evaluate your transcript based on the standards common at your secondary school, and upon the Indian national system. Rest assured that most every admissions office in the US has expertise in evaluating transcripts from abroad.
We also have experience evaluating transcripts; Katherine Price, my associate, has deep experience in working with students with India. Let me know if you would like to be in touch with her about possibly having her help you with your applications.
Best of luck to you.