Key Takeaways
- Unweighted GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale and treats all classes equally, regardless of difficulty level.
- Weighted GPA accounts for course rigor by assigning higher point values to advanced courses like AP, IB, and Honors classes, typically using a 5.0 scale.
- Colleges understand that high schools use different GPA systems and will evaluate your application holistically, not just based on your GPA number.
- Taking challenging courses and performing well is more important than having a perfect GPA in easier classes.
- Most colleges recalculate GPAs using their own methods to ensure fair comparison across different high school grading systems.
As you apply for colleges and scholarships, you might be seeing the terms weighted GPA and unweighted GPA being thrown around. You already have your GPA written at the top of your high school transcript, but is it weighted or unweighted?
We’ll cover exactly what they mean, the difference between the two, and most importantly, what colleges consider when looking at your GPA.
What Does GPA Mean?
GPA stands for “Grade Point Average.” This is the average of all your grades in your classes. How your grades are counted towards the GPA depends on whether or not your school uses weighted or unweighted scales.
Unweighted GPA
An unweighted GPA is the average of your grades on a 4.0 scale without considering the difficulty of your coursework. This GPA cannot be above 4.0, and classes that are considered advanced placement are weighed the same as classes that are lower level. Keep in mind, some schools award a straight 4.0 for any A, while others use a more granular system (for example, assigning a 3.7 for lower A’s).
Unweighted GPA Scale
| Letter Grade | Percent Grade | Grade Point |
| A+/A | 93-100 | 4.0 |
| A- | 90-92 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89 | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86 | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79 | 2.4 |
| C | 73-76 | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69 | 1.3 |
| D- | 65-66 | 1.0 |
| D-/E/F | Below a 65 | 0.0 |
Weighted GPA
A weighted GPA takes into account the difficulty of your classes. Advanced courses like AP, IB, or Honors classes receive bonus points, typically using a 5.0 scale instead of the traditional 4.0 scale. This means you can earn a GPA above 4.0.
Weighted GPA Scale
| Letter Grade | Percent Grade | Honors/AP Level Grade Point | Standard Grade Point |
| A+ | 97-100 | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| A | 93-96 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| A- | 90-92 | 4.7 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89 | 4.3 | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82 | 3.7 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79 | 3.4 | 2.4 |
| C | 73-76 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72 | 2.7 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| D- | 65-66 | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| D-/E/F | Below a 65 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Note: Different high schools use different weighted GPA scales. Some schools use a 4.5 scale, 6.0 scale, or other variations. Always check with your guidance counselor about your school’s specific weighting system.
What Is Better: Weighted or Unweighted GPA?
When considering a good GPA, the higher your unweighted or weighted GPA, the better. However, it’s important to reiterate that a 4.0 weighted GPA is not the same as a 4.0 unweighted GPA. Since the difficulty of courses plays a role in weighted GPAs, a 5.0 would be impressive.
As mentioned previously, some schools use different weighted GPA scales. If you have any questions about what scale your high school is using, talk to your guidance counselor about what the numbers mean for you and what you should be aiming for in your classes.
What GPA Do Colleges Look At?
Colleges consider both weighted and unweighted GPAs and understand that grading systems vary by high school. Because scales differ, some using 4.0, 5.0, or even 6.0 systems, many colleges recalculate GPAs using their own methods to fairly compare applicants.
Rather than focusing on your GPA type, admissions officers care more about the rigor of your courses, grade trends, and overall context provided by your transcript and school profile. Weighted GPAs can show course difficulty, but if your school only reports an unweighted GPA, colleges will still recognize your effort in advanced classes. Ultimately, you can’t control your school’s scale, so focus on performing your best in every class.
Focus on What You Can Control
Students shouldn’t get hung up on the idea of weighted vs. unweighted GPAs after they understand the scale their high school uses. A college will understand that you are restricted to the scale your school uses, and will look at your application as a whole, not just your GPA.
Want to know more about what colleges are looking for from potential students, including GPAs, ACT/SAT scores, and more? Our FREE College Match tool helps identify the best colleges for your academic and professional goals. Try it today!
