Comparison of GPA Calculation Options

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This topic shows example GPA results to help explain the calculation options. It does not cover all possible variations of GPA setups.

The examples show several GPA calculation options for a student with the following mark reporting information:

Non-weighted GPA calculated by year at the end of marking period 4 based on a semester mark

This example illustrates a student's GPA result for a school that has defined the GPA setup and level table as follows:

• • Issue GPA by year.
  • Calculate GPA based on SEM mark.
  • Use attempted credit from course and use partial credit.

  • Courses are all assigned to a non-weighted level for this GPA type.

    Course	Mark Type / Issued	Mark	Point Value	Credits for Mark	Quality Points
    English 9	SEM / M2	A	4.0	.5	2.000
    	SEM /M4	A-	3.67	.5	1.835
    Algebra 1	SEM / M2	B	3.0	.5	1.500
    	SEM /M4	B+	3.33	.5	1.665
    Micro Excel 1	SEM / M2	C	2.0	.5	1.000
    Totals				2.5	8.000

    GPA = Quality Points / Credits

    GPA = 8.000 / 2.5

    GPA = 3.2000

Examples to Compare Options for Weighted GPAs based on Weighted Point Value Vs Add-On Points

The following examples help illustrate the results for the different methods of weighting GPAs for Honors and AP courses.

Weighted GPA calculated by year at the end of marking period 4 based on a semester mark

This example illustrates a student's GPA for a school that has defined the GPA setup and level table as follows:

• • Issue GPA by year.
  • Calculate GPA based on SEM mark.
  • Use attempted credit from course and use partial credit.

  • Micro Excel 1 is a non-honors course and is assigned to a non-weighted level for this GPA type. English 9 and Algebra 1 are honors courses and are assigned to a weighted level for this GPA type. The weighted level weights the point value of each mark by adding 1 point to the non weighted value. Refer to the example scales below.

    Non-weighted point value scale A = 4.0 points B = 3.0 points C = 2.0 points D = 1.0 points F = 0.0 points

    Weighted point value scale A= 5.0 points B = 4.0 points C = 3.0 points D = 2.0 points F = 1.0 points

    Course	Mark Type / Issued	Mark	Point Value	Credits for Mark	Quality Points
    English 9	SEM / M2	A	5.0	.5	2.500
    	SEM /M4	A-	4.67	.5	2.335
    Algebra 1	SEM / M2	B	4.0	.5	2.000
    	SEM /M4	B+	4.33	.5	2.165
    Micro Excel 1	SEM / M2	C	2.0	.5	1.000
    Totals				2.5	10.000

    GPA = Quality Points / Credits

    GPA = 10.0000 / 2.5

    GPA = 4.0000

Weighted GPA adjusted by add-on points calculated by year at the end of marking period 4 based on a semester mark

This example illustrates a student's GPA result for a school that has defined the GPA setup and level table as follows:

• • Issue GPA by year.
  • Calculate GPA based on SEM mark.
  • Use attempted credit from course and use partial credit.

  • Micro Excel 1 is a non-honors course and is assigned to a non-weighted level for this GPA type. English 9 and Algebra 1 are honors courses and are assigned to a weighted level for this GPA type. The weighted level assigns 0.2000 add-on points for all marks above a D. Note that in this case, the add-on points are not weighted by credit.

    Course	Mark Type / Issued	Mark	Point Value	Credits for Mark	Quality Points	Add-on Points
    English 9	SEM / M2	A	4.0	.5	2.000	0.200
    	SEM /M4	A-	3.67	.5	1.835	0.200
    Algebra 1	SEM / M2	B	3.0	.5	1.500	0.200
    	SEM /M4	B+	3.33	.5	1.665	0.200
    Micro Excel 1	SEM / M2	C	2.0	.5	1.000	0.000
    Totals				2.5	8.000	0.800

    GPA = Quality Points / Credits + Add-on Points

    GPA = 8.000 / 2.5 +.800 = 3.2 +.800

    GPA = 4.0000

Weighted GPA adjusted by weighted add-on points calculated by year at the end of marking period 4 based on a semester mark

This example illustrates a student's GPA result for a school that has defined the GPA setup and level table as follows:

• • Issue GPA by year.
  • Calculate GPA based on SEM mark.
  • Use attempted credit from course and use partial credit.

  • Micro Excel 1 is a non-honors course and is assigned to a non-weighted level for this GPA type. English 9 and Algebra 1 are honors courses and are assigned to a weighted level for this GPA type. The weighted level assigns 0.2000 add-on points for all marks above a D. The add-on points are weighted by credit. Weighted add-on points are calculated by multiplying the add-on points value by the credits.

    Course	Mark Type / Issued	Mark	Point Value	Credits for Mark	Quality Points	Add-on Points	Weighted Add-on Points
    English 9	SEM / M2	A	4.0	.5	2.000	0.200	0.100
    	SEM /M4	A-	3.67	.5	1.835	0.200	0.100
    Algebra 1	SEM / M2	B	3.0	.5	1.500	0.200	0.100
    	SEM /M4	B+	3.33	.5	1.665	0.200	0.100
    Micro Excel 1	SEM / M2	C	2.0	.5	1.000	0.000	0.000
    Totals				2.5	8.000	0.800	0.400

    GPA = Quality Points / Credits + Weighted Add-on Points

    GPA = 8.000 / 2.5 +.400 = 3.2 +.400

    GPA = 3.6000

Examples to illustrate GPA Based On Final Mark if Course is Completed or Semester Mark

Non-weighted GPA calculated by term at the end of marking period 2 based on a final or semester mark

This example illustrates a student's GPA result for a school that has defined the GPA setup and level table as follows:

• • Issue GPA by term.
  • Calculate GPA based on FIN, then SEM mark. In this case, the calculation will use the FIN mark if the course is ended or the SEM mark if the course is still in progress.
  • Use attempted credit from course and use partial credit.
  • Courses are all assigned to a non-weighted level for this GPA type.

The calculation is being run at the end of marking period 2 so the Micro Excel 1 class is completed, but the other classes are still in progress.

GPA = Quality Points / Credits

GPA = 4.500 / 1.5

GPA = 3.0000

Non-weighted GPA calculated by term at the end of marking period 4 based on a final or semester mark

This example illustrates a student's GPA result for a school that has defined the GPA setup and level table as follows:

• • Issue GPA by term.
  • Calculate GPA based on FIN, then SEM mark. In this case, the calculation will use the FIN mark if the course is ended or the SEM mark if the course is still in progress.
  • Use attempted credit from course and use partial credit.
  • Courses are all assigned to a non-weighted level for this GPA type.

The calculation is being run at the end of marking period 4 so all classes are completed.

GPA = Quality Points / Credits

GPA = 8.000 / 2.5

GPA = 3.2000

Examples to Compare Results for Use Course Credit VS 1.0 Credit for All Courses

The following examples illustrate the difference between setting up the GPA to use course credit or to use 1.0 credit for all courses.

Non-weighted GPA calculated by term at the end of marking period 4 based on a final mark

This example illustrates a student's GPA result for a school that has defined the GPA setup and level table as follows:

• • Issue GPA by term.
  • Calculate GPA based on FIN.
  • Use attempted credit from course.

  • Courses are all assigned to a non-weighted level for this GPA type.

    Course	Mark Type / Issued	Mark	Point Value	Credits for Mark	Quality Points
    English 9	FIN	A	4.0	1	4.000
    Algebra 1	FIN	B	3.0	1	3.000
    Micro Excel 1	FIN	C	2.0	.5	1.000
    Totals				2.5	8.000

    GPA = Quality Points / Credits

    GPA = 8.0000 / 2.5

    GPA = 3.2000

Non-weighted GPA calculated by term at the end of marking period 4 based on a final mark and all courses are 1.0 credit

This example illustrates a student's GPA result for a school that has defined the GPA setup and level table as follows:

• • Issue GPA by term.
  • Calculate GPA based on FIN.
  • Use 1.0 credit for all courses.

  • Courses are all assigned to a non-weighted level for this GPA type.

    Course	Mark Type / Issued	Mark	Point Value	Credits for Mark	Quality Points
    English 9	FIN	A	4.0	1	4.0000
    Algebra 1	FIN	B	3.0	1	3.0000
    Micro Excel 1	FIN	C	2.0	1	2.0000
    Totals				3	9.0000

    GPA = Quality Points / Credits

    GPA = 9.0000 / 3 

    GPA = 3.0000

Additional Resources on GPA:

eSchoolPlus Options Affecting the GPA Calculation

Overview of the Grade Point Average Calculation