What is a GPA and its Letter Grade? (Everything You Need To Know About It in 2024)

As a student, your main focus is to get good grades in the subjects you are studying. To get good grades or GPA you need to do a lot of practice and have to work really hard. Your GPA not only affects your admission to higher institutions but also has a great impact on your job. It becomes your duty to get a high GPA like 3.6 or 3.8. Of course, how much GPA you need to get into the colleges is always a big question. Thus here we will discuss what is a GPA its letter grade and other important facts related to it.

Quick Takeaways

• GPA is the grade that you get by getting the average of the grades that you get in the class.
• GPA calculator by using the grades you receive in all of the courses and getting the average of them.
• The average GPA that most of the students get is 3.4 and therefore if you are getting a 3.6 GPA it is definitely a good one.
• A 3.6 GPA means that you are either getting an A- grade or a B+ grade depending upon the conversion scale of your college.
• If we consider the percentage, then it is around 87-89%.
• Some of the colleges that will accept applications with a 3.6 GPA are the College Of Saint Mary, Concordia University Seward, Denison University, Emerson College, Lyon College, etc. 
• Following are the ways to get a high GPA-

1. Focus on your weaker sections
2. Make a timetable 
3. Stay away from distractions
4. Take breaks 
5. Eat healthy
6. Retaking the class 
7. Take honour courses

However, you must read till the end so that you get a better understanding of whether a 3.6 GPA is good in colleges or not.

What is GPA?

GPA is the grade that you get by getting the average of the grades that you get in the class. There are usually two types of GPA – Weighted GPA and Unweighted GPA. A weighted GPA is one in which the tough nature of the subjects is also validated. However, with an unweighted GPA, there is no value in hard subjects. An unweighted GPA is a way of calculating the standard GPA that is on a scale of 4.0. Whereas, when a weighted GPA is calculated, it is on the basis of a 5.0 scale.

What is a good GPA?

Generally, a good GPA is considered when you get a grade of around 3.5 or above in both high school and college. It is because on average the students earn a grade of 3.0 in high school or college. The average grade that most of the institutions look at is 3.4 and thus having a grade above it is definitely a good GPA. However, if you want to get into a reputable institution, you will need to get even higher grades.

What is the average GPA that you will be getting?

The average GPA that you will get is around 3.0 – 3.4 GPA. It means that most of the students have a 3.4 GPA and thus any GPA above that will be considered as a good GPA. Further, you must also remember that many studies consider the average GPA to be different for girls and boys. Usually, it is considered that the GPA of the females is higher than the males.

What is the GPA and its letter grade and the percentage?

There are two types of GPA you get that is Weighted and Unweighted GPA. The following table shows the conversion of the weights and unweighted GPA (standard GPA)  into the letter grade and the percentage form-

Unweighted GPA (Standard)	Weighted GPA (AP Course)	Weighted GPA (Honor Course)	Letter Grade	Percentage
4.0	5.0	4.5	A+	97-100%
4.0	5.0	4.5	A	93-96%
3.7	4.7	4.2	A-	90-92%
3.3	4.3	3.8	B+	87-89%
3.0	4.0	3.5	B	83-86%
2.7	3.7	3.2	B-	80-82%
2.3	3.3	2.8	C+	77-79%
2.0	3.0	2.5	C	73-76%
1.7	2.7	2.2	C-	70-72%
1.3	2.3	1.8	D+	67-69%
1.0	2.0	1.5	D	65-66%
0.0	0.0	0.0	F	below 65

Note: Honor courses and AP courses are the one that are tough in nature. You may easily get the AP course but may have to take a recommendation for taking the honour course.

How to calculate the GPA?

GPA calculator by using the grades you receive in all of the courses and getting the average of them. As discussed above, there are usually two types of GPAs – Weighted GPA and Unweighted GPA. To calculate them you will have different ways. As shown above, unweighted GPA, you will have the maximum 4.0 GPA, which is a standard GPA. On the other hand, if the GPA is calculated on the basis of weighted GPA, then you will be getting a maximum of 5.0 GPA.

This is because the weighted GPA values the toughness of the subjects. The above chart shows the common grading system in most of the institutions. However, to calculate your final GPA you must look at the calculation policies of your institution. The reason for this is sometimes there are students who earn a 4.0 GPA which may be a 3.4 GPA for other institutions.

Is GPA different from Cumulative GPA?

GPA is the grade you get for a specific semester. Cumulative GPA, on the other hand, is the total grade that you will be getting for all the semesters. Suppose you have 22 credits in one semester and 24 credits in another semester for 12 classes, your cumulative GPA will be (24 + 26)/12 which is equal to a 3.8 grade.

What is a bad GPA?

When you are not able to score even the average grade, then it is a bad GPA. It means that when you are not able to get a 3.0 GPA, then it is a bad grade. Getting bad grades definitely has a negative impact on the applications that you have sent to other institutions. Therefore, you must try to get a grade at least at an average level. 

What happens with a bad GPA?

The following are the disadvantages of a bad GPA-

• You will not be able to get admission into higher educational institutions with a lower GPA. One thing you must remember is that if you want to apply to more prestigious institutions like Harvard, then you will need to get a higher GPA. 
• If you are applying for a job then having a low GPA may affect your selection. Having a bad GPA may restrict your employer from selecting your application. It is because a lower GPA shows your carelessness towards your studies.
• Getting a low GPA hides your talent to perform the tasks and also hides all the skills you have.

However, you must remember that only a GPA is not required for admission into the institution. There are many other factors that affect the admission. Thus we have discussed the other factors for admission in the institution.

What are the factors for admission to the institution?

Your GPA is not the only factor for admission into the institution and getting the job. The following are the factors for admission to the institution-

• Letter of recommendation: A letter of recommendation is like an official document that is given by someone who knows you professionally. This document helps to reflect your skills to perform the tasks. However, you must remember that you can use this document to get the job.
• Personal statement: A personal statement is an essay which helps to know you personally and professionally. In this, essay, you must include your hobbies and other interests so that the admission council can understand you much better.
• Competitive exams: Some of the most common comparative exams that you can take are the SAT and ACT exams. These are the most common exams that can help you to get admission to Higher Education. Try to get an average grade in both of the exams. If your GPA is lower, you must try to get a score above the SAT and ACT score. 

These are the three main factors other than GPA score that will affect your admission to the highest educational institutions. 

Is a 3.6 GPA good in college?

The average GPA that you will probably earn is around 3-3.4 GPA. It means that when you get a 3.6 GPA in college, you are getting an excellent GPA. It shows you have a great GPA in college. Having a 3.6 GPA means that you have scored A’s in most of the subjects. Of course, when you have a grade above the average grade, your chances of getting hired will also be high.

It will also help to increase your chances of getting selected for the job you are applying for. However, you must remember that if the GPA is measured on an unweighted method then it is a great GPA. On the other hand, if you are treated GP method then it is not a good GPA for you. 

What is equal to a 3.6 GPA?

A 3.6 GPA is usually equal to A- grade. However, the grading system of your college may vary and thus it may referred to as a B+ grade. If we consider the grade in percentage form then it is around 87-89%. However, it will again vary with the grading system of your college. Therefore you must check out your college grading system to get a better understanding of it. Further, it may also depend upon whether the grades are counted on the weighted or unweighted method. 

Although a 3.6 GPA is an excellent unweighted GPA, it is usually below the average grade when considered for Ivy League. However, it does not mean that you cannot get accepted into Ivy League colleges. There are many other factors like letters of recommendation, experience, achievements, different exams, etc that may help you to get into the Ivy League. 

Which colleges will accept your application with a 3.5 GPA?

Some of the colleges that will accept your application with an average GPA are mentioned below-

• Babson College
• Chatham University
• College Of Saint Mary
• Concordia University Seward
• Denison University
• Emerson College
• Lyon College
• Milligan College
• Missouri The University Of Science And Technology
• Occidental University

However,  there are many other colleges that will accept your application with a 3.6 GPA.

Why do colleges consider GPA?

Your GPA is an important factor in showing your skills in the world of academics. It shows how well you are in your academics. Having a higher GPA means that you have added more effort and thus have achieved a high GPA. It is very common that no two institutions have the same grading system. Thus 3.4 GPA in one institution may be different from another institution. Looking at your GPA will definitely help the admission council to know if your application will be selected or not.

Further, as we already discussed it helps to show how hardworking you are. Although there are many colleges that might want you to get a higher GPA, and thus you must try to work even harder to get it.

How to improve your GPA?

There are chances that your GPA may not be increasing with time. The following are the ways to improve your final GPA-

1. Focus on your weaker sections

When you are going for the exams you must first focus on the sections you are weak at. The sections that you are weak in will definitely have a great impact on your final exams. It will make your grades down which will result in losing your final GPA. Therefore you must focus on the week sections of the subjects you are studying. Try to make a list of the topics you know well and a second list of those which you do not know well. It will help you to make a perfect timetable, giving the appropriate timetable for each subject.

2. Make a timetable 

The most common yet effective method to increase your GPA is by creating a timetable for you. You must know what are your strengths and weaknesses and based on them you must make a suitable timetable. Suppose, if you are taking four subjects and have a hold on two subjects then you must give more time to those on which you are not having much hold.

Further, you must also make sure that you have kept enough free time for yourself. It is because if you are studying continuously without any break then you might forget the content you have studied so far.

3. Stay away from distractions

Distractions are the biggest reason for getting a lower GPA. Therefore you must stay away from such distractions. If you have an addiction to mobile phones or tablets, you should try to keep them in another room which is far away from the room you are studying in. If you will keep such destructions near you you will definitely lose your focus and start using them.

4. Take breaks 

As already discussed if you are studying full day without having any breaks it will definitely make you forget the things you have already studied. It will result in mixing the content of the other subjects and thus you will get confused. To get safe you must take breaks in between. Try to get some fresh air and have some fun activities. 

5. Eat healthy

Your exams are the time friend you take a lot of pressure. Taking pressure will definitely result in bad health which may result in missing an exam. Therefore you must make sure that you are eating healthy and taking a proper diet so that you do not get sick. Getting sick will not only result in missing the exam but will also result in weakness in your body. If necessary you can always take a piece of advice from your dietician so that you can eat the right food you want. 

6. Retaking the class 

Another way of increasing your GPA is by retaking the classes. It may increase your workload but if you are short on time then you will have to retake the classes in which you get a lower grade. Retailing the classes will not only help to improve your grade but will also help to improve your image in front of your professors.

7. Take honour courses

There are different types of courses, some may have more value and others may have lower value. When you choose a subject you will usually have two choices – simple and honour course. You must try to get honour courses as they have higher grade value. When you take honour courses, it will not only help to improve your GPA but will also develop your knowledge of those hard subjects.

Conclusion

Your GPA will always play an important role in your admission of you to higher institutions. However, if you have scored a 3.6 GPA in your colleges then it is a really very good GPA. This is because the average GPA that most of the students have is 3.4 GPA. Thus it will definitely give you an advantage in the admission of the university or college.

A 3.6 GPA means that you are getting an A- or B+ grade depending upon the grading system of the college. On the other hand, if we talk about the percentage marks it is around  87-89%. However, you must still try to get a higher GPA by working harder, having a proper timetable, and taking up some honour courses.

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