Core answer: GPA = Σ(grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits. On the 4.0 scale: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. Example: A (3 credits), B+ (4 credits, 3.3), C (2 credits) → (12 + 13.2 + 4) ÷ 9 = 3.24. Chinese universities use varied scales (4.0 / 4.3 / 5.0 / percentage-based) — always convert with YOUR school's official formula when applying abroad; WES and similar evaluators recompute from transcripts anyway.
The standard 4.0 scale (US letter)
| Letter | Points | % (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| A / A+ | 4.0 | 90+ |
| A− | 3.7 | 85–89 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 82–84 |
| B | 3.0 | 78–81 |
| B− | 2.7 | 75–77 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 72–74 |
| C | 2.0 | 68–71 |
| D | 1.0 | 60–67 |
| F | 0 | <60 |
Chinese scale variants
- 4.3 scale: A+ = 4.3, A = 4.0, A− = 3.7… (used by some top universities)
- 5.0 scale: 90+ = 5.0, 85–89 = 4.5, 80–84 = 4.0, 75–79 = 3.5, 70–74 = 3.0, 60–69 = 2.0, <60 = 0
- Percentage GPA: some schools report weighted average score (加权平均分) directly — e.g. 85.6/100 — which UK/Australian schools accept as-is.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Semester GPA. Courses: Math A (4cr) = 16, English B+ (2cr) = 6.6, Physics B− (4cr) = 10.8, PE A (1cr) = 4 → 37.4 ÷ 11 = 3.40.
Example 2 — The F bomb. Same grades but Physics = F: (16 + 6.6 + 0 + 4) ÷ 11 = 2.42. One 4-credit F drags a 3.40 semester to 2.42 — credit weight is why failing a big course hurts more than failing three small ones.
Example 3 — Cumulative recovery. GPA 2.5 after 60 credits; to reach 3.0 by 120 credits you need Σ points = 360: the remaining 60 credits must average 3.5. A semester of 3.8 barely moves a big cumulative — GPA debt compounds like financial debt.
Example 4 — China → US conversion caution. 85/100 maps to A−/B+ depending on the school's table; WES often converts Chinese 85+ to A. Never self-convert with an internet table in your application — submit the transcript and the OFFICIAL scale explanation.
Common mistakes and myths
- Averaging GPAs instead of points — (3.0 + 4.0)/2 = 3.5 is wrong if the semesters had different credits; always Σ points ÷ Σ credits.
- Ignoring retake policy — some schools replace the F on retake, others average both attempts; the difference is worth ~0.3 GPA.
- Pass/Fail blindness — P/F courses usually don't enter GPA but DO count for credits; a "safe P" protects GPA but grad schools notice patterns.
- Scale confusion in applications — 3.5/4.0 vs 3.5/5.0 differ enormously; write the scale explicitly everywhere ("GPA 3.5/4.0").
- Chasing GPA at all costs — a 3.3 with hard courses, research, and internships beats a 3.8 of basket-weaving at every serious admissions table.