Semester GPA Calculator

Calculate your semester GPA by entering grades and credits for each course. See your term performance and academic standing.

How many courses you're taking this semester

Semester GPA Formula:\n\nSemester GPA = Σ(Grade Points × Credits) / Σ(Credits)\n\nFor each course:\nCourse Points = Grade Point Value × Credit Hours\n\nGrade Point Scale (4.0):\nA/A+ = 4.0, A- = 3.7\nB+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7\nC+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7\nD+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = 0.7\nF = 0.0\n\nTotal Points = Sum of all course points\nSemester GPA = Total Points ÷ Total Credits
Example Semester:\nCalculus I: A (4.0) × 4 credits = 16.0 points\nEnglish: B+ (3.3) × 3 credits = 9.9 points\nChemistry: A- (3.7) × 4 credits = 14.8 points\nHistory: B (3.0) × 3 credits = 9.0 points\nGym: A (4.0) × 1 credit = 4.0 points\n\nTotal: 53.7 points ÷ 15 credits = 3.58 GPA\nLetter Grade: A-\nStatus: Dean's List eligible\nEnrollment: Full-time (15 credits)

How do I calculate my semester GPA?

Semester GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Credits for that semester only. Example: Course 1: A (4.0) × 3 credits = 12 points, Course 2: B+ (3.3) × 4 credits = 13.2 points, Course 3: A- (3.7) × 3 credits = 11.1 points. Total: 36.3 points / 10 credits = 3.63 semester GPA. Only includes courses from one term, not cumulative. Calculate separately from overall GPA.

What is the difference between semester GPA and cumulative GPA?

Semester GPA: One term only (Fall, Spring, Summer). Fresh calculation each semester. Cumulative GPA: All semesters combined since starting college. Example: Fall GPA 3.4, Spring GPA 3.8 - these are semester GPAs. If Fall was 15 credits (51 points) and Spring 16 credits (60.8 points), cumulative = 111.8 / 31 = 3.61. Semester shows current performance, cumulative shows overall academic record.

Do pass/fail courses count toward semester GPA?

No. Pass/Fail (P/F) or Credit/No Credit courses: earn credits if passed, but no grade points. Not included in GPA calculation. Example: 12 graded credits at 3.5 GPA + 3 P/F credits = 3.5 GPA (only 12 credits in calculation). Benefit: Take challenging courses P/F to avoid GPA damage. Downside: Can't boost GPA with easy A's. Some grad schools convert P to C for their calculations. Limited P/F allowed per semester/degree.

How many credits should I take per semester?

Full-time: 12-18 credits (typically 4-6 classes). Recommended: 15-16 credits to graduate in 4 years (120-128 total needed). Light load: 12-13 (first semester, work/sports). Heavy load: 17-18 (requires time management). Overload: 19+ (often needs dean approval, extra fees). Credit hour = 1 hour class + 2-3 hours homework weekly. So 15 credits = 45-60 hours/week total. Factor in work, extracurriculars, commute time.

What semester GPA do I need to raise my cumulative GPA?

Your semester GPA must exceed your cumulative GPA to raise it. Example: Cumulative 3.2, want to raise it. Next semester must be >3.2. Getting 3.5 raises cumulative slightly. Getting 4.0 raises it more. The lower your cumulative and more credits you have, the higher semester GPA needed for significant increase. With 90 credits at 3.0 cumulative, a 4.0 semester (15 credits) only raises cumulative to 3.14. Early semesters have biggest impact.

Can I calculate my semester GPA before final grades?

Yes, estimate with current grades. Example: Test 1 (20%): 90%, Test 2 (20%): 85%, Midterm (30%): not yet, Final (30%): not yet. Current: (90×0.2 + 85×0.2) / 0.4 = 87.5% in graded work. If you estimate 88% midterm and 90% final: (90×0.2 + 85×0.2 + 88×0.3 + 90×0.3) = 88.9% = B+ (3.3). Calculate for each course, then semester GPA. Use this to determine if you need extra credit or can ease up.

What is a good semester GPA for scholarships?

Scholarship retention typically requires: 3.0-3.5 minimum semester GPA (varies by scholarship). Academic scholarships: often 3.5+ required. Athletic: 2.5-3.0 minimum. Merit: 3.0-3.5. One bad semester can lose scholarship worth $5,000-20,000/year. Some allow one probationary semester below minimum. Check specific requirements - cumulative vs semester GPA. Losing scholarship = take loans or reduce course load to work more. Prevention: Understand requirements, monitor mid-semester grades, drop/withdraw from failing courses before deadline.