I am trying to figure out the Weighted and Unweighted GPA on hs transcript? At the bottom of hs transcript it clearly states:
“This student’s cumulative GPA at Joe Blow HS is 9x.4; an equivalent of 3.x4 on the 4.0 scale. This cumulative GPA is weighted for Honors and Advanced courses.”
I see it clearly says that the GPA is weighted but the numbers keep adding up to appear to not take into account for the AP and Honors classes? My math does not show any weight other than if the course is two semesters (x4) or just one semester (x2)? An (A) in an AP class seems to be valued at a 4, not 5? A (B) in an honors class seems to be valued at a 3.0, and not the 3.5?
Even though the disclaimer at bottom of the transcript says, " the GPA is weighted for Honors and AP" I’m not seeing it?
Also, if disclaimer states that the transcript is based on a “4.0 scale,” then the max is 4.0, right? Like, you can’t get a 4.3 on a 4.0 scale can you?
That quote is hard to understand, I agree. On the last part, though, yes, you could still get above 4.0 weighted. I think it only means that an A = 4.0 (rather than 5 or some other number.)
I agree that when you say on a 4.0 scale it should mean 4.0 is the max but guess what the High Schools don’t say it that way. I see lots of 4.1 on a 4.0 scale.
This question needs to be asked of the specific school. They all do crazy things - my daughter’s HS had where you could earn up to 5.3 in a class (A in an AP) but since many required classes (art, gym) couldn’t get better than 4.0 - student couldn’t get near to 5.3 as a GPA.
Call a counselor or look at the course guide. Be thankful he doesn’t go to my kids school. No big scholarships ever come from there look at that break down! NOT A SINGLE KID HAS A 4.0 UW IN THE WHOLE SCHOOL.
Did you take 9 AP or honors courses? They might be adding 0.4 to the grade received for each one. For example a B in honors becomes weighted as 3.4 instead of 3.0 if it was not honors. Could that make sense? My kids’ school adds 0.66 to honors and AP grades, so a solid B (3.0)becomes an A- (3.66), etc.
@hannuhylu , my kids’ h.s. had a similar grading scale but not quite as tough as yours (I think 4.0 started at 98 and above). After substantial pressure from parents, they changed it this year but it’s still wacky. And they did not make it retroactive. So her grades for the first three years of h.s. are weighted at the old scale and this year at the new scale. S19 has one year on the old scale which isn’t too bad, but still. I don’ know why they wouldn’t just recalculate everyone’s grades based on the new scale? They said that “isn’t fair.”
Its complete bologna, but only 3 schools within 25 miles, and this by far the best one (academically at least). Really hurts the scholarship hunt with 98 numerical gets you a 3.8gpa though maybe it will all work out.
@hannuhylu does your school send along a School Profile that tells about the school demographics (performance-wise) and transcript interpretation instructions when submitting student information to the college he or she is applying to?
Do not waste time trying to figure out the fine points. 4.0 = A is the common scale, modifiers of +/- will of course mean 4.3 is the actual top score. Your school’s bottom line statement of weighing grades means the gpa reported uses course difficulty (eg AP/honors) modifiers.
Important for you and your kids. Calculate a gpa based solely on grades. Assign each semester a unit, multiply by the grade and divide by the total number of semesters. Easier than doing whole and half years.
Also list honors/AP et al classes and regular classes for each year. You will see a pattern- many/few of each type. Count the numbers of this type of class at your HS. This will tell you something about the rigor.
This will give you an idea of how well she is doing relative to opportunities. There is a good reason colleges recalculate their own gpa’s. Plus they do “academic” courses only. Never can figure out which classes they count at UW. Phy Ed likely not. Music? Arts?
Do the above math once and done. Not worth obsessing over/wasting your time on.