The grades students receive are given as letters. A GPA, or grade point average, is computed as a number. Northwest allows grades to be given with a plus or a minus, so here is the grading scale:
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 a GPA is calculated. Take the grade for a course and convert it to points. Multiply those points by the number of credits the class was worth. Add up the points from all the classes. Divide that number by the total number of credits taken. 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
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.)
P Pass (similar to S)
W Withdrawn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 .
