High School unweighted grade point average (GPA) refers to the overall GPA for a particular semester, school year, or cumulative based on a 4.0 scale. Where an A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0; no matter if it is honors, AP, college, or regular.
How is unweighted GPA different from weighted, core, semester, or cumulative GPA?
- Your semester GPA is your grade point average for one semester.
- Your cumulative GPA is your grade point average overall your completed High School semesters.
- Your weighted GPA’s is based on a 4.0+ scale. Where an A could count as 4.5 points or 5+ points, B = 3.5 or 4, C = 2.5 or 3, etc. for taking honors, AP, or college classes. This depends on what your high school decides.
- Your core high school GPA is your commutative unweighted GPA not including classes in fine arts or personal skills.
How is your High School unweighted GPA calculated?
Your High School unweighted GPA is calculated by taking the total number of points divided by the total number of classes where an A= 4 points, B= 3 points, C= 2 points, D = 0 points.
Below is an example of a 9th grade fall semester.
| 9th Grade Fall Semester | ||||
| Class | Grade | Unweighted Points | Weighted Points | Core GPA |
| Hon Geometry | A | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Biology | A | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Hon English 9 | B | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Spanish 1 | A | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Physical Science | A | 4 | 4 | N/A |
| World History | B | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total Points | 22 | 24 | 18 | |
High School Unweighted GPA:
- 9th Grade Fall Semester Total Points = 22
- 9th Grade Spring Semester Total Points = 21
- Total Classes = 12
- (22+21) / 12 = 3.58 cumulative unweighted GPA
If you have multiple semesters you continue to add the points and divide by the total number of new classes.
Remember, as shared in how to calculate high school GPA.
Colleges rarely look at your:
Therefore, when calculating your cumulative GPA we recommend you omit non-core classes and don’t worry about the weighted GPA.
If your high school cumulative core GPA is lower than a 3.7 GPA then check out our resource with 5 free tips to raise or improve your high school GPA!
Do you want actionable advice, student & test prep checklist and more based on your current unweighted GPA, weighted GPA, core GPA, SAT/ACT/PSAT test scores, and grade level?
Then please click the button below to be directed to our free High School GPA calculator.
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