Can you exceed a 4.0 GPA in high school?

Just a quick question about weighted GPAs - is it actually possible to get a GPA higher than 4.0 with AP or honors classes? And if so, do certain universities consider these inflated GPAs differently?

Yes, indeed, it is possible to have a high school GPA higher than 4.0 due to the impact of weighted grades. Weighted grades are typically used when a student takes advanced coursework, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or honors classes. These courses are judged to be more challenging, thus, an A in one of these courses typically counts for more than a 4.0. For example, it may count for a 5.0 on a weighted scale.

Despite this, how colleges view weighted GPAs can differ. Some colleges look at both weighted and unweighted GPAs, while others prefer one over the other. Some of the colleges recalculate high school GPAs based on their own scale. This way, they can more fairly compare students from different high schools, as the difficulty and grading scales might vary drastically between schools.

However, colleges are more interested in the academic rigor represented by these higher level classes, rather than the inflated GPA itself. They appreciate seeing students challenge themselves with more difficult coursework. Taking AP or honors classes when they are available shows a willingness to push yourself academically.

As is the case with many aspects of college admissions, the importance of a weighted GPA can vary from college to college. Hence, it's best to look at individual schools' admissions websites or reach out to admissions officers to get specific details about the schools you're interested in.

Overall, while a GPA above 4.0 is certainly impressive, it's not only about the GPA - the wider context of your high school record, including the types of classes you've taken, how you've done in those classes, and the trends in your grades are also vital in the admissions process.