How To Calculate GPA Quality Points

As a concept, grade point average, or GPA, seems straightforward enough — numerical values used to standardize letter grades. Still, factors in calculating GPA, including quality points and grading scales, can sometimes cause confusion. Understanding how these factors work in concert to create a GPA can give you a powerful tool in managing this important number.

Step 1

Find your grade for the class on a report card, through an online grade reporting system or directly from your teacher.

Step 2

Locate your school's grading scale in the student handbook or the school's website. Commonly, an "A" is worth 4.0, a "B" equals 3.0 and so on. Use the correct scale or your may calculate your GPA incorrectly.

Step 3

Confirm how many credits each class is worth. In college, an average class earns three credits. For high schools, often one credit is awarded for a yearlong class. You cannot figure your GPA without knowing how many credits you attempted.

Step 4

Multiply the numeric value of your grade by the number of credits you attempted for each course. Add the products together to get your total quality points.

Step 5

Sum your credits attempted. Divide your total quality points by the total. The answer is your GPA. Traditionally, that number is reported to two decimal places.