Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

What's the difference between various grading scales?

Hey everyone! Just trying to understand all these different grading scales floating around – my school uses a GPA system but I keep hearing about percentage grades, 4.0 and 5.0 scales, etc. Can someone help me make sense of these different grading systems?

a year ago

Sure, I'd be happy to help clarify the different grading scales!

1. Percentage Grades: Schools using this system grade on a 0-100 scale for each subject. For example, if you earn 85% of the total points possible in a class, your grade would be an 85. This system makes it easy to understand where your performance falls on the scale numerically.

2. GPA (Grade Point Average): This system assigns a numerical value to each letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) – typically, A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0. Your GPA is calculated by averaging these values across all completed courses. For example, if you earned an A (4), a B (3), and a C (2) in three separate classes, your GPA would be (4+3+2)/3 = 3.

3. 4.0 Scale: The most common GPA scale. In this system, A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, and so on. It accounts for the +/- letter grade variations, providing a more nuanced reflection of your academic performance.

4. 5.0 Scale: Similar to the 4.0 scale, but awards an extra point for honors, AP, or IB classes. For example, an A in a regular class is still worth 4.0, but an A in an honors, AP, or IB class would be worth 5.0. This scale incentivizes taking more rigorous coursework, as excelling in these classes can push one's GPA above the standard 4.0 limit.

5. Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA: Weighted GPAs take into account the rigor of your classes, assigning higher numerical values (usually based on the 5.0 scale) for honors, AP, and IB classes. Unweighted GPAs, on the other hand, disregard course rigor, treating all classes equally on a 4.0 scale. Colleges may consider both when evaluating your application.

It's important to remember that colleges are aware of different high school grading systems and will evaluate your performance within the context of your school. However, understanding these different grading scales can give you a better idea of how your academic accomplishments may be viewed by admissions committees.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.