Weighted Vs. Unweighted GPA: How Do Weighted GPAs Work?
If you’re preparing to apply to college, you’ve probably thought a lot about earning good grades and a high grade point average, or GPA. While it can’t tell your whole story, GPA is an important indicator of your academic success throughout high school. Many institutions require applicants to meet a minimum GPA to qualify.
If your goal is to get into college, a strong GPA—weighted or unweighted—is critical. But what’s the difference between a weighted versus unweighted GPA?
Advanced high school classes, such as Advanced Placement (AP®) and honors courses, often contribute more points to your GPA than standard courses, giving you a weighted GPA. This means if you take advanced classes and earn straight A’s, your GPA may exceed a 4.0.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the difference between a weighted and unweighted GPA.