GPA — Grade Point Average — is one of the most important numbers in a student’s academic life, especially when applying to universities. But how is it actually calculated? And how do you convert grades from the IB, IGCSE, or other international curricula into GPA?

This comprehensive guide explains GPA calculation methods across different curricula, provides conversion tables, and helps you understand what your grades mean on the GPA scale.

What Is GPA?

GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It’s a standardised way of measuring academic achievement by converting letter grades or scores into a numerical scale, then averaging them across all subjects.

The most common GPA scale is the 4.0 scale used in the United States:

GPA	Letter Grade	Description
4.0	A	Excellent
3.7	A−	Very good
3.3	B+	Good
3.0	B	Above average
2.7	B−	Satisfactory
2.3	C+	Average
2.0	C	Below average
1.7	C−	Poor
1.3	D+	Below standard
1.0	D	Minimum passing
0.0	F	Failing

Some schools use a weighted GPA on a 5.0 scale, which gives extra points for advanced courses (AP, Honours, IB).

How to Calculate GPA: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Convert Each Grade to Grade Points

Assign a point value to each of your course grades using the scale above (or your school’s specific scale).

Step 2: Multiply by Credit Hours (If Applicable)

If your courses have different credit values (e.g., a full-year course worth more than a half-year course), multiply the grade points by the credits for each course.

Step 3: Add Up Total Grade Points

Sum all the grade points (or weighted grade points).

Step 4: Divide by Total Credits

Divide the total grade points by the total number of credits.

Example Calculation

Course	Grade	Grade Points	Credits	Weighted Points
English	A	4.0	1.0	4.0
Mathematics	B+	3.3	1.0	3.3
Physics	A−	3.7	1.0	3.7
History	B	3.0	1.0	3.0
French	A	4.0	0.5	2.0
Art	B+	3.3	0.5	1.65
Total			5.0	17.65

GPA = 17.65 ÷ 5.0 = 3.53

IB (International Baccalaureate) GPA Conversion

The IB Diploma Programme uses a 1–7 scale for each subject, with 7 being the highest. Converting IB grades to the 4.0 GPA scale requires a conversion table.

IB to GPA Conversion Table

IB Grade	Description	GPA Equivalent (4.0 scale)
7	Excellent	4.0
6	Very good	3.7–4.0
5	Good	3.0–3.3
4	Satisfactory	2.3–2.7
3	Mediocre	1.7–2.0
2	Poor	1.0–1.3
1	Very poor	0.0–0.7

IB Total Score to GPA

The IB Diploma has a maximum score of 45 (6 subjects × 7 points + 3 bonus points from TOK/EE). Here’s an approximate conversion:

IB Total Score	Approximate GPA
42–45	4.0
38–41	3.8–3.9
34–37	3.5–3.7
30–33	3.2–3.4
26–29	2.8–3.1
24–25	2.5–2.7
Below 24	Below 2.5

Weighted GPA for IB Students

Many US universities and some international schools give IB courses a weighted GPA boost because they’re considered college-level. In weighted systems:

• IB Higher Level (HL) courses may receive an extra 1.0 point (so a grade of 7 = 5.0 on a weighted scale)
• IB Standard Level (SL) courses may receive an extra 0.5 point

Check with your specific school or target universities for their weighting policies.

Cambridge IGCSE GPA Conversion

Cambridge IGCSE uses letter grades (A*–G). Converting these to GPA requires the following table.

IGCSE to GPA Conversion Table

IGCSE Grade	Percentage (approx.)	GPA Equivalent (4.0 scale)
A*	90%+	4.0
A	80–89%	3.7–4.0
B	70–79%	3.0–3.3
C	60–69%	2.3–2.7
D	50–59%	1.7–2.0
E	40–49%	1.0–1.3
F	30–39%	0.7
G	20–29%	0.3
U	Below 20%	0.0

Calculating GPA from IGCSE Results

Example: A student with the following IGCSE results:

Subject	Grade	GPA Points
Mathematics	A*	4.0
English Language	A	3.7
Physics	A	3.7
Chemistry	B	3.3
Biology	A*	4.0
Economics	B	3.0
French	A	3.7
History	B	3.3

GPA = (4.0 + 3.7 + 3.7 + 3.3 + 4.0 + 3.0 + 3.7 + 3.3) ÷ 8 = 3.59

Edexcel IGCSE GPA Conversion

Edexcel uses the 9–1 grading scale. Here’s the conversion:

Edexcel Grade	Cambridge Equivalent	GPA Equivalent
9	High A*	4.0
8	Low A*	3.8–4.0
7	A	3.5–3.7
6	High B	3.0–3.3
5	Low B / High C	2.7–3.0
4	C	2.3–2.7
3	D	1.7–2.0
2	E–F	1.0–1.3
1	G	0.3–0.7

American Curriculum GPA

In the American education system, GPA calculation is more standardised but varies between schools.

Unweighted GPA (4.0 Scale)

All courses are treated equally:

Letter Grade	Percentage	Grade Points
A+	97–100%	4.0
A	93–96%	4.0
A−	90–92%	3.7
B+	87–89%	3.3
B	83–86%	3.0
B−	80–82%	2.7
C+	77–79%	2.3
C	73–76%	2.0
C−	70–72%	1.7
D+	67–69%	1.3
D	63–66%	1.0
D−	60–62%	0.7
F	Below 60%	0.0

Weighted GPA (5.0 Scale)

Advanced courses receive bonus points:

Course Level	A	B	C	D
Regular	4.0	3.0	2.0	1.0
Honours	4.5	3.5	2.5	1.5
AP / IB	5.0	4.0	3.0	2.0

This means a student taking rigorous courses can have a GPA above 4.0.

Cumulative GPA

Cumulative GPA includes all courses from all terms/years of high school. It’s calculated the same way as a single-term GPA, just with more courses included.

What GPA Do Universities Require?

Top US Universities

University Tier	Typical GPA Range
Ivy League (Harvard, Yale, Princeton)	3.9–4.0 (unweighted)
Top 20 (Duke, Stanford, MIT)	3.8–4.0
Top 50 (NYU, Boston University)	3.5–3.8
Top 100	3.0–3.5
State universities	2.5–3.0+

Important: GPA is only one factor. Universities also consider standardised test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation.

UK Universities

UK universities primarily look at predicted and actual A-Level or IB grades rather than GPA. However, IGCSE results (especially grades A*–B) strengthen applications to competitive programmes.

Singapore Universities

NUS and NTU use their own points systems based on A-Level or IB scores. IGCSE/O-Level results serve as supporting qualifications.

How to Improve Your GPA

1. Prioritise Consistency

A consistent set of good grades is better than a mix of As and Ds. Aim for steady improvement across all subjects.

2. Understand Weighting

If your school uses weighted GPA, taking advanced courses (AP, IB HL, Honours) can boost your GPA even if your letter grade is slightly lower than in a regular course.

3. Don’t Neglect “Easy” Subjects

An A in Art or Music contributes the same grade points as an A in Physics for unweighted GPA. Don’t let minor subjects drag down your average.

4. Retake or Replace Where Possible

Some schools allow you to retake courses to replace a low grade. Check your school’s policy.

5. Seek Help Early

Don’t wait until you’re failing to get support. If you notice your grades slipping in a subject, address it immediately. Tutopiya’s online tutors can provide targeted support in specific subjects before small problems become big ones.

GPA Calculator: How to Build Your Own

You can create a simple GPA calculator in a spreadsheet:

Column Setup

Column A	Column B	Column C	Column D
Course Name	Grade	Grade Points	Credits

Formula (in Column E)

Grade Points × Credits = Weighted Points

Final GPA Formula

=SUM(Column E) / SUM(Column D)

Alternatively, many free online GPA calculators are available. Just ensure you’re using the correct conversion scale for your curriculum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 3.5 GPA good?

A 3.5 GPA is considered good to very good. It’s competitive for many universities, though highly selective institutions may expect 3.8+.

How do I convert my IGCSE grades to GPA?

Use the conversion table in this guide: A* = 4.0, A = 3.7, B = 3.0–3.3, C = 2.3–2.7, etc. Then calculate the average across all subjects.

Do universities recalculate GPA?

Many US universities recalculate GPA using their own formula, which may differ from your school’s calculation. They may exclude certain courses or use different weightings.

Can my GPA go above 4.0?

Yes, if your school uses a weighted GPA scale. Taking AP, IB, or Honours courses can push your GPA above 4.0.

Is GPA or individual grades more important?

It depends on the university. Some focus on overall GPA, while others look at grades in specific subjects relevant to your intended major. Both matter.

How is IB scored compared to GPA?

IB uses a 1–7 scale per subject with a maximum total of 45 points. This doesn’t directly correspond to GPA but can be converted using the tables in this guide.

Get the Grades That Build Your GPA

Your GPA is built one grade at a time. Whether you’re studying for IGCSE exams, working through the IB Diploma, or navigating the American curriculum, every course contributes to your overall average.

If you want to strengthen your grades in specific subjects — whether it’s Mathematics, Sciences, English, or any other subject — personalised tutoring can make a significant difference.

Tutopiya offers expert tutors across all major international curricula, providing one-on-one sessions tailored to your learning style and goals.

Ready to boost your grades and your GPA? Book a free trial lesson with Tutopiya today and take the first step towards achieving your academic potential.