Guide to GPA Calculators

A GPA calculator is used to determine a students grade point average over a specified time.  Grad point averages are used to determine a student's academic performance compared to other students in the same class or institution.  

GPA calculators can come in several different forms, as there are various methods for calculating grade point average.  Most schools calculate grade point average on a 4.0 scale, where a 4.0 is the highest grade point average that can be achieved.  However, many other forms of grade point averages are used, including a 5.0 scale, a letter grade (A, B, C, D and F), or a total points grade point average (where all classes are added into a totaled score).  

A students grade point average is weighted by the number of credit hours each class.  High schools will often weight classes equally, as each class is generally given the same amount of time.  Higher education classes generally break down classes by the total amount of class time per week.  These classes can range anywhere between 1 hour classes to 6 hours classes per week.  The more credit hours a class has, the more weighted it will be towards the student's grade point average.  

High schools may use higher weighted classes for students taking advanced classes that are harder than standard classes.  These classes allow a student to have a higher grade value for the grade they receive.  For example, an A in a standard class may be value as a 4.0, where in an advanced placement class it can be wroth 5.25.  

Instructions

1. First enter the total amount of credits previously earned.  This will allow the GPA calculator to determine your exact GPA including the newly entered grades.  You can also use this feature to determine what your GPA will be if you get certain grades in future classes.

2. Next, enter the number of credits you are taking in the current grading period.  The number of credits you enter will be used by the GPA calculator to determine what your grade point average is across those classes.

3. You will next need to enter a grade for each class.  You may use a letter scale, in which you provide an A, B, C, D, or F grade for each class.  You may also enter grades in between these letter grades.  These would include examples of A+ or A- grades.  Such grades will be used on a scale to determine your grade point average.  You may also enter each classes grade on a numerical scale.  Numerical scales can be in the standard GPA format (0.0 – 4.0) or can use an alternate scaling method.

4. Once you enter all of your grade information, you must submit your results on the GPA calculator, which will give you your grade period average as well as your cumulative GPA.  Once completed, your final GPA will be determined by the GPA calculator.  

Notes:

1. In order for the GPA calculator to work, you must know and understand how your school calculates their grade point average and what the scaling method is.  Contact you school's academic advising office if you are unsure of the exact method for determining grades.  It will be helpful to look at previous grades to determine what scale the school uses.  Of course, you cannot do this if this is your first marking period, so contact the school for more information.

2. The GPA calculator can be used to determine future grades.  By entering different grades, you can see exactly how high or how low your GPA may drop if you receive certain grades in future classes or semesters.  This can be a valuable tool for setting goals of what grades you must obtain in order to reach certain grade point average levels.  

3. In order to manually calculate your current GPA on a 4.0 scale, take your total credit hour points and divide by the number of GPA hours you have taken over that same grading period.  In order to determine quality points, you can use the chart below.  For each grade received, enter the quality points multiplied by the GPA hours for each class.  Add all of these together and divide by the number of classes taken, which will leave you with your grade point average.  

Final Grade Quality Points Credit Hours

A 4.00 x Number of Hours

A- 3.67 x Number of Hours

B+ 3.33 x Number of Hours

B 3.00 x Number of Hours

B- 2.67 x Number of Hours

C+ 2.33 x Number of Hours

C 2.00 x Number of Hours

C- 1.67 x Number of Hours

D 1.00 x Number of Hours

F 0.00 x Number of Hours

4. Sometimes a student may receive an incomplete or withdrawn grade for a class.  You must check with your school's policy for grading, but these grades will typically not affect your grade point average.  While not included on your grade point average, they will usually be included on your final transcript or noted under your GPA in some form.  The same may go for audited classes, usually given a grade of “X”, which indicates a student went to the class but was not graded.  

5. Many times, schools will give awards or special designations for achieving certain grade point average levels.  Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, and Magna Cum Laude are special honor designations given by most schools to indicate if a student achieved a certain grade point average.  Check with your school to determine at what grade these designations are given.  They are often different from school to school.  Some schools may give these designations to those students in certain GPA percentiles or base it on a specific grade point average number.

Curves and Rank Based Grading

Grading on a curve and rank based grading is a system of academic grading used to understand the performance of a student within a defined group.  Curves can either be set outside of a ranking system or directly use a ranking system.  

A rank based grading curve assigns grades according to a pre-determined percentage of how many students can get certain grades.  Below is an example of pure rank-based curving which uses a classic bell curve style.  Note that most students in the class will receive the average grade of a C while few students will receive an A or an F. 

Grade Awarded percentage of students

who will receive this grade

A    top 5%

B    next 26%

C    middle 38%

D    next 26%

F    bottom 5%

A popular model of curve and rank based grading allows the grader to use a normal distribution of grades to track education performance.  The top grade, usually an A, is given for academic performance that beats the mean score by a specified amount, usually +1.5 standard deviation.  Under this grading scheme, a B would be awarded for an academic performance of between +.5 and +1.5, while an average score would receive a C.  

GPA calculators can be used in a variety of ways to determine grades using countless methods, so always check with your school to see if they are using a curve or rank based grading before using any grade point average calculator.  

While by definition most students in a curved grading system will receive an average grade, the grading can be harsh as it requires the failure of a certain amount of students, no matter whether they have adequately mastered the class or not.  

Curved grading is popular with some schools who wish to eliminate inflated grades, in which students are passed through classes regardless of how well they learn or understand the material.  The curved grading system also has proven to push students to perform at higher levels, often for fear of failure by becoming behind.  Competition can often become increased in these classes, as students must outperform their peers in order to achieve good grades.

Grade Scales Using Percentages

Some schools still use an outdated formed of calculating grades based on a 100% scale.  In this scale, students need to achieve a certain percentage in order to achieve their grades.  The percentage is typically calculated from the percentage of answers correct on tests and quizzes throughout the grading period.  

Most schools on a 100% scale will usually assign a letter grade according to what percentage the student falls in.  

An A is typically between 90% and 100%.

A B is typically between 80% and 90%.

A C is typically between a 70% – 80%

A D is typically between a 65% – 70%

A failing grade is typically any grade below the 65% mark.  

While these percentages put the grade in a numerical form, in order to use it with a GPA calculator, a grade point average in the traditional 4.0 scale must be converted from the 100% scale.  To do this, you must take the letter grade given for each class and multiply it by the weighted score for each grade.  For example, an A is typically given a GPA value of 4.0.  Multiply this by the credit hours for the class. Add this number and divide by the total number of credit hours taken over the grading period.  

If you are unsure what grading method your school is going to use in order to put into the gpa calculator, you should immediately speak with your teacher or the school's academic department, who will help guide you through the process.  Many school's websites now offer help and information regarding the details of their grading structures.  Knowing a school's grading structure can go a long way in helping you achieve good grades in school.

General Formulas

GPA calculators use the following formulas to determine how to calculate a grade point average on either the 4.0 scale or the 5.0 scale.

How To Calculate GPA On A 4.0 GPA Scale

A = 4 points

A- = 3.75 points

B+ = 3.25 points

B = 3 points

B- = 2.75 points

C+ = 2.5 points

C = 2 points

D = 1 point  

WF/F = 0 points

P/NP are not included in a student’s GPA.

I(Incomplete) and W(Withdrawals) do not have an impact on GPA.

How To Calculate GPA On A 5.0 GPA Scale

A = 5 points

B = 4 points

C = 3 points  

D = 2 point

F = 1 points

P/NP are not included in a student’s GPA.

 

A Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator is a measure of a person's weight and height to determine whether that person is at a healthy weight.  The bmi calculator can give you an idea whether you are overweight or underweight compared to the accepted normal weight for your height and gender. 

BMI calculators are designed to provide a general idea of healthy weight.  It is not designed to provide a complete view of a person's health as a result of their weight.  Instead, it is used mainly by physicians and doctors as a way to help patients with weight problems to understand generally what their healthy weight should be.  

The following steps should be used to determine your body mass index:

1.First, you must collect some basic household items that will be used to obtain the numbers needed to use the body mass index (BMI) calculator. You will need:

– A scale to measure your weight (any standard bathroom scale will work)

– A measuring tool to determine your height such as a measuring tape or yardstick (While a bmi calculator is most accurate with an exact height, you can use an estimate as long as it is within an inch of accuracy)

– Paper and a pencil or pen to record your height and weight

2.  Next you will need to weigh yourself in order to get your current weight.  Place your scale on a smooth hard floor.  In order to get the most accurate bmi calculator results, wear a limited amount of clothes to get your true weight.  Use the scale two or three times to ensure you are getting an accurate reading. 

3. Measure your height, using either the measuring tape or yard stick. Some tips for measuring your height include:

– Find a wall and with your back straight, mark the top of your head on the wall.  Step away from the wall and measure the distance from the floor to your mark. 

– If you are able to, another person can be very helpful in measuring your height.  Have the second person use a measuring tape to accurately measure the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. 

–  If you are unable to get an accurate recording of your height, you may use your best estimate from a previous doctors visit or physical.  Keep in mind that bmi calculators are most accurate when your exact height is provided.  

4. Using the paper and pen or pencil, record your weight and height.  While an online bmi calculator can bes used to calculate your bmi, you can also manually determine your bmi by performing this calculation:

– BMI = Weight (in pounds) / Height (in inches) X Height (in inches).

– Take the above amount and multiply it by 703.  This is your body mass index.  

5. One you have used one of the many bmi calculators, you must next compare your body mass index with the chart that determines whether you are at a healthy weight.  Many bmi calculators not only provide you with your body mass index, but will also tell you whether you are at a health weight, underweight, or overweight, and by how much.  

– Find a body mass index chart.  A healthy body mass index depends greatly on your age, body frame type, and gender, however the following are the general ranges of the body mass index.

– A body mass index of less than 18 is underweight

– A body mass index of between 18 to 18.5 means you are thin for your height

– Body mass index of between 18.6 – 24.9 is the range of a generally healthy weight

– A body mass index of between 25 – 29.9 means you are overweight

– A body mass index of over 30 means you are obese.  If your bmi calculator determines you are obese, it is advised that you consult a doctor immediately in order to help reach a healthy weight. 

Notes

1. Keeping your weight within a healthy range is one of the best ways to keep your body in optimal health, which will limit health problems and prolong your life expectancy.  Using a bmi calculator regularly provides you with a good indication of your current weight and overall progress if you are attempting to control your weight.  

2. If you are attempting to use the manual bmi calculator using the above mathematical equation, note that the true multiplier is not just 703, but rather 703 + (4489/64516).  However, the difference is so minimal that it should not affect your results more than one hundredth of a decimal.  Online bmi calculators will use the true multiplier, so keep this in mind if your are comparing your math to the online bmi calculator.  

3. One of the biggest issues with a bmi calculator is the fact that it does not take in to account muscle mass.  Large muscle mass, which is usually healthy, may skew the results of the bmi calculator.  However, bmi calculators are designed to only provide a healthy weight guideline for the average person, it does not provide an exact custom tailored evaluation of your personal healthy weight. 

General Tips While Using the BMI Calculator

1. While body mass index is designed to be used by average people aged 25 to 65, it has many limitation.  The bmi calculator cannot take into account your muscle mass, body type, or frame size.  People with larger frames, larger body types, or above average muscle mass may find that they are a healthy weight despite having a body mass index in the overweight or obese range.  

2. Other forms of body measurement should be used in conjunction with a bmi calculator.  Measuring your waist to hip ratio, body fat calculations, and other measurements should all be used when determining what your personal healthy weight should be.  Consult a physician, nutritionist, or weight loss specialist to get a full picture of your target weight.  

3. Should your weight be a serious concern, it is important that you use much more technical methods of body measurement, which can be accessed through medical facilities or at many gyms and health spas. 

– A skin-fold test used mechanical calipers to measure total body weight from fat.  

– A bio-electrical impedance analysis, which sends a small electrical current through your body, measures your total fat content and amount of weight from fat.

– Both of these methods provide a much more accurate measure of your body fat, muscle content, and should be used to set goals and targets if you have significant health issues stemming from weight problems.  

International Variations

While all bmi calculators use the same formula in all regions of the world, many countries use a different range to determine a healthy weight for their population.  This is mainly due to the differences in body frames and types found in different regions of the world.  Below are some examples of places that use a different scale to determine healthy weights using a bmi calculator.

– In Japan, a normal body mass index is considered between 18.5 to 22.9.  Overweight ranges from 23 – 24.9, and obesity is anything over 25.

– In Singapore, the health body mass index range is the same as Japans, however obesity starts at 27.6 and morbid obesity is considered a body mass index of over 40.  

Age and BMI Calculators

While most bmi calculators do not take into account your age, you should consult a chart that shows you what your body mass index should be compared to others in your age range.  Children's bmi ranges are completely different than those of an adult.  

– Between the ages of 2 and 20, a healthy male child's body mass index should range from a little over 16 at age 2 all the way up to a healthy bmi of 23 at age 20.  These charts take into account normal body growth and the weight associated with maturity and puberty during teenage years.  

– The health body mass index for girls aged 2 to 20 range from a health bmi of 16 at age 2 to a health bmi of 22 at age 20. 

Similarly, people over the age of 65 are not advised to use a bmi calculator, as at this age a health body mass index cannot easily be determined, as many other factors should be considered.  Instead, consult your physician to determine what your own healthy weight should be at this age.  

Gender and BMI Calculators

The most basic bmi calculators and graphs do not take into account the gender of the person, however it is widely accepted that men and women have healthy weight ranges that are different.  

– Generally, due to differences in body type and hormone differences, a woman's healthy body mass index range is slightly higher than a males.  

It is very important that you keep in mind that bmi calculators should only be used as a general indications of your weight and health.  Do not be concerned if your body mass index falls slightly into the underweight or overweight categories unless you believe you are suffering health issues as a result of your weight.  

If you fall within one of the danger zones of body mass index (a bmi of under 18.5 is considered the point of malnutrition, while a bmi of over 30 is considered obese) you should consult a doctor immediately.  Almost all people who fall in these ranges are in danger of imminent health problems which can greatly affect your quality of life and life expectancy.  

 

According to the Department of Education, the projects mainly help young, low-income military members.  The veterans can use the grants to adjust between military life and civilian life while increasing their education to forward their career.  

 

The Department of Education states that while the grants provide education in all core subject education, the grants also provide refresher courses, tutoring, help with entrance exams, help with financial aid, personal counseling, networking, and more.  

 

U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, stated, “No group deserves our support for opportunities to learn and advance their knowledge and skills more than our veterans.  These Upward Bound Veterans grants will help prepare our returning veterans for college by providing the academic instruction, mentoring and guidance they need to succeed in college and in life.” 

 

The Veterans Upward Bound is part of the Upward Bound program that was started in 1972.  The program is one of three similar programs under the Upward Bound program, and four other programs provide student services.  The programs are listed below: 

 

• Education Opportunity Centers

• Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement

• Student Support Services

• Talent Search

• Training Program for Federal TRI programs

• Upward Bound Math and Science

 

The Department of Education reports that the Veterans Upward Bound program has help a total of 5,780 veterans since 2007.  The new wave of grants will ensure that veterans receive the education they deserve for serving the country.  

 

Source: Department of Education

On October 10, 2012, the Census Bureau released data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS) that saw significant differences in annual earnings between different college majors.  Two different ACS reports compared results between majors.  

 

The Field of Degree and Earnings by Selected Employment Characteristics: 2011 explains the relationship between bachelor’s degrees, annual earnings, and the chance of full-time employments.  The report stated bachelor’s degrees in engineering saw the highest median earnings—about $92,000 in 2011.  Degrees in performing arts, communications, education and psychology saw median annual earnings of $55,000 and below.

 

Science, engineering, and business degrees had the most full-time employment as well.  About 64 percent of business majors work full time, while only half of literature and language majors were employed full time.  

 

The Work-Life Earnings by Field of Degree and Occupation for People With a Bachelor’s Degree: 2011 examined the relationship between the amount of schooling and how much money a person would make over their lifetime.  The general consensus: get a college degree.  

 

People with less than high school education only make an average of $936,000 during their lifetime while those will professional degrees will make about $4.2 million.  Engineering majors with a bachelor’s degree who are in a management position will earning about $4.1 million, while service workers with an art of education major will make about $1.3 million over their lifetime.  

 

The following results were also reported in the reports: 

• engineering, computer, math, science, business, physical science, and social science majors have the highest average work-life earnings

• liberal arts majors now working in computer or mathematical occupations have median work-life earnings around $2.9 million, and liberal arts majors in office support occupations have average life-work earnings around $1.6 million

• education majors are most likely to work for government entities in 2011, while engineers are the most likely to work in the private sector

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or the FERPA is a Federal law expressed in Title 20, section 1232 of the United States Code that protects the privacy of student education records. The act applies to all schools that receive any funds under an applicable federal program of the United States Department of Education.

FERPA give parents certain defined rights in respect to the education records of their children. These rights then transfer from the parent to the student when the student reaches 18 years or goes a school above the high school level, such as university. These students that have received the rights that were transferred from the parents are considered eligible students.

Any eligible student or parent has the right to review and inspect the student’s education records that are administered and maintained by the school under FERPA. However, schools are not legally required to provide any copies of records unless it is somehow impossible for either a student’s parent or an eligible student to review the education records, for example due to a great distance. Schools are also within their rights to charge a fee for copies made.

Under FERPA, a parent or an eligible student also has the legal right to request that a school makes a correction to an education records if they believe that the record is misleading or inaccurate. If the school chooses not to amend the education record, the eligible student or parent has the legal right to a formal hearing.

After the legal hearing, if the school still feels that it should not amend the record, the eligible student or parent then has the legal right as given by FERPA to add a statement with the education record with his or her view about the information that was contested.

Often, schools must obtain written permission from the eligible student or parent in order to release a student’s education record. However, under FERPA, schools are allowed to disclose those education records, without the student’s or parent’s consent, to the follow individuals or parties 

• A school official with a legitimate educational interest 

• A specified official for evaluation reasons or an audit

• A school that the student is transferring to

• An organization in connection with a student’s financial aid

• Accrediting organizations

• Organizations holding certain studies on behalf of the school or for the school

• In accordance to a lawfully issued subpoena or judicial order 

• Local and state authorities for a juvenile justice system, following state law

• Safety or health emergencies

Schools may also disclose, without consent, a student’s information for the sake of a school directory, such as student’s name, phone number, address, awards and honors, birthdate, and attendance dates. However, the parents and eligible students must be informed about directory information by the school. A school must also give time for parents or eligible students to decline being put in the directory. Parents and eligible students must be notified of their rights as given by FERPA annually. This can be done through PTA bulletins, student handbooks, newspaper articles, or any other way a school feels is best.

The Fulbright Scholarship is an international educational exchange program that was established in 1946 under the legislation introduced by former Senator J. William Fulbright. Today the Fulbright scholarship is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural affairs under the United States Department of State.

Every year, Fulbright scholarships are awarded to about 7,500 students, adding up to approximately 294,000 total receivers of the grant in the last 60 years, with 183,000 of these individuals being from other countries.

The Fulbright scholarship receives its funding from the U.S. Congress, as well as participating governments and institutions in participating foreign countries. The United States also contributes through indirect support and cost-sharing, such as tuition wavers, university housing, and salary supplements. In 2008, the Congressional appropriation for the Fulbright scholarship was $215.4 million. Meanwhile other foreign government donated about $60 million to the program.

There are many different categories of Fulbright Scholarships, including both institutional and individual grants, as well as other exchange programs:

• Roughly 1,100 American professionals and scholars are sent to approximately 125 countries, where they can conduct research or lecture in different academic and professional fields.

• The Fulbright Specialist Program sends U.S. professionals and faculty to act as consultants on faculty development, curriculum, institutional planning and other related subjects at various overseas academic institutions for anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks.

• The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program gives grants to around 850 foreign scholars to conduct postdoctoral research or lecture at various U.S. institutions for an academic semester or an academic year.

• The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program allows U.S. universities and colleges to host foreign academics who can lecture on different subjects for either an academic semester or year. Preference for the grant is given to any institutions that are developing and serving a minority audience and/or have an international agenda. About 50 grants are awarded each year.

• The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, young professionals, graduate students, and artists to study overseas for an academic year. In 2008-2009, over 1,500 Americans studied abroad with either partial or full support.

• The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships Program puts U.S. students as English teaching assistants in universities or schools overseas, helping foreign students’ English abilities and U.S. knowledge while the student improves their own knowledge and language skills of the host country.

• The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables foreign young professionals, graduate students, and artists to study and research in the United States for one year or more. Approximately 1,700 newly established awards are given for support at U.S. universities, and about 1,350 awards are renewed annually.

• The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award is for doctoral study at a prestigious institution in the United States in technology, science, engineering or other related fields for roughly 40 extraordinary foreign students annually.

• The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program is a one-to-one exchange of roughly 120 teachers from both primary along with secondary schools in the United States and ten foreign countries.

The Fulbright program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural affairs under the United States Department of State. The program provides funding not only for students, but also teachers, scholars, and professionals who plan to take advance research, graduate study, and teaching on an elementary, secondary and university level.

The mission of the Fulbright Program includes:

• Stimulating closer educational relationships between United States and other countries.

• Reinforcement and connecting institutions of higher learning internationally.

• Saving threatened scholars and promoting academic freedom.

• Constructing leadership skills and improving the capacity of both organizations and individuals to address global and local challenges.

The Fulbright program was established in 1946 under the legislation introduced by former Senator J. William Fulbright. Every year, Fulbright scholarships are awarded to about 7,500 students, adding up to approximately 294,000 total receivers of the grant in the last 60 years, with 183,000 of these individuals being from other countries.

The Fulbright scholarship receives its funding from the U.S. Congress, as well as participating governments and institutions in participating foreign countries. The United States also contributes through indirect support and cost-sharing, such as tuition wavers, university housing, and salary supplements. In 2008, the Congressional appropriation for the Fulbright scholarship was $215.4 million. Meanwhile other foreign government donated about $60 million to the program.

There are many different categories of Fulbright Scholarships, including both institutional and individual grants, as well as other exchange programs:

• Roughly 1,100 American professionals and scholars are sent to approximately 125 countries, where they can conduct research or lecture in different academic and professional fields.

• The Fulbright Specialist Program sends U.S. professionals and faculty to act as consultants on faculty development, curriculum, institutional planning and other related subjects at various overseas academic institutions for anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks.

• The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program gives grants to around 850 foreign scholars to conduct postdoctoral research or lecture at various U.S. institutions for an academic semester or an academic year.

• The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program allows U.S. universities and colleges to host foreign academics who can lecture on different subjects for either an academic semester or year. Preference for the grant is given to any institutions that are developing and serving a minority audience and/or have an international agenda. About 50 grants are awarded each year.

• The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, young professionals, graduate students, and artists to study overseas for an academic year. In 2008-2009, over 1,500 Americans studied abroad with either partial or full support.

• The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships Program puts U.S. students as English teaching assistants in universities or schools overseas, helping foreign students’ English abilities and U.S. knowledge while the student improves their own knowledge and language skills of the host country.

• The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables foreign young professionals, graduate students, and artists to study and research in the United States for at least 1 year or more. Approximately 1,700 newly established awards are given for support at U.S. universities, and about 1,350 awards are renewed annually.

• The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award is for doctoral study at a prestigious institution in the United States in technology, science, engineering or other related fields for roughly 40 extraordinary foreign students annually.

• The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program is a one-to-one exchange of roughly 120 teachers from both primary along with secondary schools in the United States and ten other foreign countries.