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GPA FAQs
- Figure Your Semester GPA
- Calculate Your Cumulative GPA
- How to Attain a Certain GPA
- Attaining a Certain GPA (With Repeats)
- GPA Calculator
Figure Your Semester GPA
| Letter Grade | Points | How to Calculate |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
|
| A- | 3.7 | |
| B+ | 3.3 | |
| B | 3.0 | |
| B- | 2.7 | |
| C+ | 2.3 | |
| C | 2.0 | |
| C- | 1.7 | |
| D+ | 1.3 | |
| D | 1.0 | |
| D- | 0.7 | |
| F | 0.0 |
| Example: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CLASS | CONVERSION | CREDITS | POINTS |
| MATH 107 | B+ = 3.3 points | X 3 credits | = 9.9 grade pts |
| ENGL 101 | C = 2.0 points | X 3 credits | = 6.0 grade pts |
| SOC 101 | A = 4.0 points | X 3 credits | = 12.0 grade pts |
| ART 100 | A = 4.0 points | X 3 credits | = 12.0 grade pts |
| Totals: | 12 credits | 39.9 grade pts | |
| GPA Calc = | 39.9 points | / 12 credits | = 3.325 (or 3.33) GPA |
Calculate Your Cumulative GPA
Total your credits attempted and grade points for each semester. Divide the Total Grade Points by the Total Credits Attempted. Your cumulative GPA is re-calculated at the end of every semester. If it falls below the minimum GPA, you will be placed on probation.
| Sample First Semester | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | Letter Grade |
Credits | Points |
| MATH 108 | B+ | 3 | 9.9 |
| ENGL 101 | C | 3 | 6.0 |
| COMM 101 | A- | 2 | 7.4 |
| ART 100 | A | 3 | 12.0 |
| PE | A | 1 | 4.0 |
| Total First Semester | 12 | 39.3 | |
| GPA Calculation: 39.3 points divided by 12 credits = 3.275 (3.28) GPA | |||
| Sample Second Semester | |||
| MATH 253 | C + | 3 | 6.9 |
| PSYC 101 | B - | 3 | 8.1 |
| HIST 101 | B | 3 | 9.0 |
| BIOL 100 | C - | 4 | 6.8 |
| Total Second Semester | 13 | 30.8 | |
| GPA Calculation: 30.8 points divided by 13 credits = 2.369 (2.37) GPA | |||
| Cumulative Attempted Credits - Total of all credits attempted | 25 | Cumulative Grade Points - Total of all grade points | 70.1 | Cumulative GPA - Divide total grade points by total credits attempted | 2.80 |
|---|
The minimum GPA to avoid Academic Probation is as follows:
| Total credits attempted including transfer credits | Minimum ISU cumulative GPA |
|---|---|
| 0-25 | 1.75 |
| 26 on up | 2.00 |
NOTE: The satisfactory progress minimum GPA guidelines for Financial Aid are the same as for scholastic probation.
How to Attain a Certain GPA
As an example, if a student has a 1.50 semester hour GPA, has earned 12 hours, has 18 grade points, is enrolled in 12 semester hours and wants to have a 2.0 at the end of the current term. Here is the process:
- Add up the total number of ATTEMPTED hours the student will have at the end of the semester that must be calculated in the GPA (in this case it will be 24 semester hours).
- Multiply the number of hours by the accumulative GPA the student wants to have at the end of the term (in this case 24 sem. Hrs. X 2.0 GPA =48 grade points)
- Subtract the number of grade points earned (18) from those needed to achieve the desired GPA (48). The equation in this case is 48 grade points-18=30 grade points.
- The next step is to divide the number of grade points the student must earn to achieve the desired GPA (30) by the number of semester hours in which the student is currently enrolled (12). In this case, the equation is 30 grade points divided by 12 semester hours=2.5. The student must earn a 2.5 in the current semester to have a 2.00 at the end of the term.
- The final step is to determine if the grades the student is currently earning or typically earns and the GPA he/she desires are compatible and realistic.
Attaining A Certain GPA With Repeats
As an example, if a student has a 1.50 semester hour GPA, has earned 12 credits, has 18 grade points, is enrolled in 12 semester hours, wants to have a 2.0 at the end of the current term AND 6 credits of that 12 are repeats (one 3 credit "F" and one 3 credit "D") then here is the process:
- Subtract the repeated classes from the figures used to calculate the current accumulated
GPA. In this case, we have one 3 credit "F" (worth O points) and one 3 credit
"D" (worth 1 point).
Accumulated GPA at the end of last semester 1.50 GPA x 12 credits = 18 pts Subtract the repeated credits 12 credits - 6 credits (3 or "F" +3 cr "D") = 6 credits & corresponding grace points | "D" | "F" 18 pts - 3 pts [(3 x O for the "F") + (3 x 1 for the "D")] = 15 pts New totals to be used in calculating the required semester GPA for a desired cumulative GPA = 6 credits & 15 grade points.
- Add up the total number of ATTEMPTED hours that the student will have at the end of the semester that must be calculated in the GPA (in this case 6 credits + 12 credits = 18 credits)
- Multiply the number of credits by the cumulative GPA the student wants to have at the end of the term. (in this case it will be 18 credits x 2.00 GPA = 36 points).
- Subtract the number of grade points previously earned (15 points) from those needed to achieve the desired cumulative GPA (36 points). 36 - 15 = 21 points needed this semester.
- Divide the number of points needed this semester by the number of credits that the student is taking this semester to determine the semester GPA required to obtain the desired cumulative GPA. 21 12 = 1.75
- Notice the difference between the required semester GPA needed when no classes are being repeated and when two classes (1 "D" + 1 "F") are repeated 2.50 vs. 1.75 GPA. This can make a big difference in the GPA required to achieve a certain cumulative GPA.
- The final step is to determine if the GPA the student wants or desires is realistic given past performance.