Grades
Grade points needed to reach a target
Multiply the target by the credits you will hold, subtract what you have already banked, then divide by the credits still to be earned. From 41.3 points over 12 credits, reaching 3.50 across 16 credits needs (3.50 x 16 - 41.3) / 4 = 3.675, just above an A-.
The Formula
Required grade points = (Target x credits after - quality points so far) / new credits
Multiply the target by the credits you will hold, subtract what you have already banked, then divide by the credits still to be earned. From 41.3 points over 12 credits, reaching 3.50 across 16 credits needs (3.50 x 16 - 41.3) / 4 = 3.675, just above an A-.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| T | GPA you want to finish with | points | Stated on the same 4.0 scale as the grade points you are using. |
| Q | Quality points already earned | point-credits | 41.3 in the worked term; keep the unrounded figure for this calculation. |
| ck | Credits of the course still open | credits | A larger credit load gives the same improvement more leverage. |
What Each Symbol Means
Tpoints
GPA you want to finish with
Stated on the same 4.0 scale as the grade points you are using.
Qpoint-credits
Quality points already earned
41.3 in the worked term; keep the unrounded figure for this calculation.
ckcredits
Credits of the course still open
A larger credit load gives the same improvement more leverage.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate gpa page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate GPA, filed under Education. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.