Prior to discussing how to calculate weighted GPA, let us define it. A weighted GPA is scaled based on the difficulty level of a course, with more challenging courses being worth more.
The scale for calculating weighted GPA can range between 0 and 5.0.
The addition of a weighted class can boost your 4.0 average to a 4.25. You will, in effect, be rewarded with a higher GPA for taking a harder class. Higher GPAs ultimately lead to higher class rankings and better college options.
Most Ivy League universities lie Harvard take into account a weighted GPA over an unweighted one.
Formula to Calculate Weighted GPA.
- Find out what scale your school uses for GPA
- Determine your grade from each class
- Add the scale number for each class grade
- Divide by the number of classes.
Example:
If AP and college-level courses are weighted 1 point higher, and honors courses are weighted .5 points higher. Calculate the weighted GPA of a student whose performance is as follows.
| Class | Grad | Weight | Unweighted GPA | Weighted GPA |
| 1 | A | Honors | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| 2 | A- | AP | 3.7 | 4.7 |
| 3 | B+ | Honors | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| 4 | A- | AP | 3.7 | 4.7 |
= ( 4.5 + 4.7 + 3.8 + 4.7 ) รท 4
= 4.425
Therefore, the student’s GPA is 4.425.
