How to Compute Your GPA
Knowing how to compute your grade point average (GPA) is an important part of assessing your academic standing. Since various majors might have specific GPA requirements to declare the major and to graduate, you definitely need to know how to understand the SHIP grading system and how to compute your overall GPA.
Your semester QPA is the average for one semester or summer term, while your cumulative QPA refers to the average for all courses completed at SHIP.
Grading and Point System
The following system of grades is used to indicate the quality of academic work:
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Regular Letter Grades |
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Special Grades |
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A |
Excellent |
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I |
Incomplete |
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A- |
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Q |
Deferred Grade |
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B+ |
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S |
Satisfactory |
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B |
Good |
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U |
Unsatisfactory |
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B- |
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P |
Passed |
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C+ |
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T |
Credit by Exam |
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C |
Satisfactory |
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TR |
Transfer Credit |
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D |
Unsatisfactory, but Passing |
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N |
Audit (no credit) |
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F |
Failure |
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W |
Withdraw |
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* In certain cases, a grade of D may not be considered passing; |
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Quality Point Average (QPA)
Your quality point average or QPA is determined by assigning numerical values to the letter marks and weighing them according to the number of class hours. The values assigned to the letters are:
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A |
4.0 quality points |
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A- |
3.7 quality points |
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B+ |
3.3 quality points |
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B |
3.0 quality points |
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B- |
2.7 quality points |
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C+ |
2.3 quality points |
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C |
2.0 quality points |
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D |
1.0 quality points |
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F |
0.0 quality points |
To Calculate Your Semester Quality Point Average (QPA)
- Compute the number of quality points earned for each course by multiplying the value of your letter grade by the number of credits earned. For example, your grade of B+ (3.3 points) in a 3 credit course earns you 9.9 quality points.
- Add up the quality points earned in all your classes.
- Add up the number of credits attempted in all your classes. This total should include all classes in which you received a regular letter grade (A through F).
- Divide the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted. This is your QPA.
Only courses in which you received a regular letter grade (A through F) are used in calculating your QPA. Courses which you have repeated will have an impact on the way your QPA is calculated.
The following example illustrates how to calculate your QPA for one semester:
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Course |
Credits |
Grade |
Qty. Pts. Earned |
Semester QPA |
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1st subject |
3 |
B- |
3 x 2.7= |
8.1 |
Quality-Point Average = Quality points earned 41.1/16 = 2.56 |
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2nd subject |
3 |
A |
3 x 4.0= |
12.0 |
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3rd subject |
3 |
F |
3 x 0.0= |
0.0 |
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4th subject |
4 |
B |
4 x 3.0= |
12.0 |
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5th subject |
3 |
B |
3 x 3.0= |
9.0 |
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Total |
16 |
41.1 |
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To Calculate Your Cumulative Quality Point Average (QPA)
- Add the total quality points earned for each semester.
- Add up the total number of credits attempted.
- Divide the total quality points by the total number of credits attempted.
The following example illustrates how to calculate your QPA for one semester:
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Semesters |
Credits |
Qty. Pts. Earned |
Cumulative QPA |
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Semester 1 |
16 |
41.1 |
Total Quality points earned 122.1 / 45 = 2.71 |
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Semester 2 |
15 |
39.0 |
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Semester 3 |
14 |
42 |
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Total |
45 |
122.1 |
GPA Calculator
Disclaimer: The GPA Calculators were designed to provide a projected calculation of your GPA based on the information entered. It is NOT an official record of your grades. You may find your current QPA in the registrar's information on the Student Information System. (link to Student Information System )
If you have any questions, please contact your academic advisor.