Weighted vs Unweighted GPA
GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a tool used by schools and colleges to evaluate the performance of students. Students receive grades at the end of a unit in any study course, and the GPA is the average of these grades obtained in a term (term GPA) or over the entire course (GPA). There are two different types of GPA: weighted and unweighted. Understanding the difference between these two types of GPA can be important for both students as well as those in admission committees screening students for admissions.
What is a Weighted GPA?
Weighted GPA takes into account the difficulty or challenging nature of a course or class. Some classes are accelerated and harder than regular classes, and schools may want a student’s GPA to reflect this fact. In contrast to the American grading system, which is on a scale of 1-4, weighted GPA is calculated on a scale of 1-5. An “A” in weighted GPA means the student gets 5 grade points, rather than 4 as in unweighted GPA.
What is an Unweighted GPA?
Unweighted GPA is used for ordinary classes and courses, utilizing a scale from 1 to 4. While it may not indicate how intelligent a student is, it does show the student’s level of performance over time while pursuing a course. Unweighted GPA is considered a useful indicator of a student’s performance, as it does not confuse scholarship providers or admission committees.
Key Takeaways
- Unweighted GPA is on a scale of 1-4, whereas weighted GPA is on a scale of 1-5.
- Weighted GPA takes into account the difficulty or challenging nature of a course, giving extra credits for such courses.
- Unweighted GPA is considered a better indicator of a student’s performance in a course, as it does not confuse those in charge of granting scholarships and admissions.
