Understanding Weighted Grades vs Unweighted: A Student's Guide

Confused about weighted vs unweighted grades? You're not alone. This guide explains the key differences, how they affect your GPA, and how to calculate both.

What Are Unweighted Grades?

Unweighted grades use a standard 4.0 scale where:

A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
F = 0.0

Key characteristics:

Maximum GPA is 4.0
All courses are treated equally
An A in a regular class = An A in an AP class (in terms of GPA points)
Simple and straightforward

What Are Weighted Grades?

Weighted grades give extra points for advanced courses:

Regular courses: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0
Honors courses: A = 4.5, B = 3.5, C = 2.5, D = 1.5, F = 0.0
AP/IB courses: A = 5.0, B = 4.0, C = 3.0, D = 2.0, F = 0.0

Key characteristics:

Maximum GPA can exceed 4.0 (often up to 5.0)
Rewards students for taking challenging courses
An A in AP class (5.0) > An A in regular class (4.0)
More complex but fairer for college-bound students

Side-by-Side Comparison

Real-World Example

Let's say you have these grades:

English (Regular): A
Math (AP): A
Science (Honors): B
History (Regular): A

Unweighted GPA Calculation:

(4.0 + 4.0 + 3.0 + 4.0) / 4 = 3.75

Weighted GPA Calculation:

(4.0 + 5.0 + 3.5 + 4.0) / 4 = 4.125

Notice how the weighted GPA is higher because it rewards the AP and Honors courses!

Which Do Colleges Look At?

Most colleges consider BOTH:

Unweighted GPA: Shows your raw academic performance
Weighted GPA: Shows your performance in challenging courses
Course Rigor: What classes you took matters too

Top-tier colleges often prefer:

High unweighted GPA (shows consistent excellence)
High weighted GPA (shows you challenge yourself)
Rigorous course load (AP, IB, Honors)

How PowerSchool Handles Both

PowerSchool typically:

Calculates both unweighted and weighted GPA
Reports both on transcripts
Uses weighted for class rankings (usually)

However, PowerSchool doesn't always display this clearly, which is why our extension is so helpful!

Calculating Weighted vs Unweighted GPA

Using Our PowerSchool Extension

1. Install the PowerSchool Grade Calculator Extension 2. Go to your PowerSchool grades page 3. See both unweighted and weighted GPA automatically

Using Our Online Calculator

1. Visit our GPA Calculator 2. Add your courses with grades and course levels 3. See both calculations side-by-side

Common Questions

Which GPA is more important?

Both matter, but:

Weighted GPA is often used for class rankings
Unweighted GPA shows your raw performance
Colleges look at both plus your course rigor

Can I have a weighted GPA over 4.0?

Yes! With weighted grades, you can exceed 4.0. A student taking all AP courses with A's could have a 5.0 weighted GPA.

What if my school doesn't use weighted grades?

That's okay! Many schools use unweighted grades. Focus on maintaining a high unweighted GPA and taking challenging courses when available.

How do I know which my school uses?

Check your transcript - if you see GPAs over 4.0, you use weighted
Ask your counselor
Look at class rankings - if top students have 4.5+, it's weighted

Tips for Maximizing Your GPA

For Unweighted GPA:

1. Focus on getting A's in all classes 2. Every class counts equally 3. Don't avoid challenging courses - they still help

For Weighted GPA:

1. Take Honors, AP, or IB courses when possible 2. Maintain good grades in advanced courses 3. Balance challenge with success - don't overload

Using Our Calculators

Our tools help you understand both:

GPA Calculator: Calculate both weighted and unweighted - Try it here
Grade Calculator: See how assignments affect both - Try it here
PowerSchool Extension: Automatic calculations on PowerSchool - Install here

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between weighted and unweighted grades helps you:

Make informed course selection decisions
Set realistic GPA goals
Understand how colleges view your transcript
Track your academic progress effectively

Whether your school uses weighted or unweighted grades (or both), our calculators make it easy to track your GPA and see how different courses and grades affect it.

Calculate Your GPA →

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