1. What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance. It's calculated by averaging the grade points earned in all courses, weighted by each course's credit hours.

2. How GPA is Calculated

The standard GPA calculation formula is:

Where:

• Grade Points — Numerical value assigned to each letter grade (A=4.0, A-=3.7, etc.)
• Credit Hours — Weight assigned to each course based on its duration/importance

3. Importance of GPA

Details: GPA is crucial for academic standing, scholarship eligibility, graduate school applications, and sometimes employment opportunities.

4. Using the Calculator

Steps:

1. Enter the number of courses
2. For each course, select the letter grade and enter credit hours
3. Click "Calculate GPA" to see your cumulative GPA

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good GPA?
A: Typically 3.0+ is good, 3.5+ is very good, and 3.7+ is excellent, though standards vary by institution.

Q2: How does +/- grading affect GPA?
A: Plus grades add 0.3 and minus grades subtract 0.3 from the base letter grade (except A+ which is still 4.0).

Q3: Do all courses count toward GPA?
A: Generally yes, unless the institution has specific exceptions like pass/fail courses.

Q4: How can I improve my GPA?
A: Focus on doing better in current courses (has immediate effect) or retake courses where you did poorly (depends on school's policy).

Q5: What's the difference between cumulative and term GPA?
A: Term GPA is for one semester/quarter, while cumulative GPA includes all coursework.