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How to Figure Your GPA

The grades you receive are given as letters. Your GPA, or grade point average, is computed as a number. Northwest also allows grades to be given with a plus or a minus. Here is the grading scale:

Grade Points
A 4.0
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
D 1.0
D- 0.7
F 0.0

Here's how you figure your GPA. Take your grade for a course and convert it to points. Multiply those points by the number of credits the class was worth. Add up all the points from all your classes. Divide that number by the total number of credits you took. Here's an example.

Course
 Grade
Points
Credits
Total
HLED1225
B  
3.0
2
6.0
ENGL1010
B+
3.3
3
9.9
MATH1050
A- 
3.7
3
11.1
BIOL1010
B  
3.0
4
12.0
HIST1110
C  
2.0
3
6.0
Total   
15
45

45 points divided by 15 credits equals a 3.0 GPA

If you don't want to fuss with the math, here a nice grade point calculator from Back to College.

In addition to grades, a few other letters occasionally show up on grade reports:

  • U Unsatisfactory (usually on midterm reports.)
  • S Satisfactory (usually on midterm reports.)
  • W Withdrawn
  • I or X Incomplete
  • N No Grade Report
  • AU Audit

The "N"sometimes shows up on midterm grade reports. It usually means that for some reason the instructor did not get the grade turned in before the registrar ran the grade reports .

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