GPA – Three Letters that Matter!
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. Many students are unaware of the importance of the GPA. The purpose of this worksheet is to explain how to calculate your GPA, and also give you information on how you can maintain good academic standing. Academic Standing is your overall achievement in your credit courses (good, probation, required to withdraw).
Letter Grades Are Converted into Grade Point Values
When you finish a credit course, you will receive a letter grade which relates to a grade point value on the four-point grading system. The following showing chart shows MacEwan’s grading scale:
Note: Full details are available in MacEwan’s Grading Policy C2020
| Letter Grade | Grade Point Value | Grade Descriptors |
| A+ | 4.0 | Outstanding |
| A A- | 4.0 3.7 | Excellent |
| B+ B B- | 3.3 3.0 2.7 | Good |
| C+ C C- | 2.3 2.0 1.7 | Satisfactory |
| D+ D | 1.3 1.0 | Poor |
| F | 0.0 | Fail |
| WF | 0.0 | Withdraw Failure |
Note that instructors may utilize their own percentage scale and convert to a final letter grade. Percentage scales may vary from course to course or section to section.
How is a GPA Calculated?
A Grade Point Average is a weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all grade points by the sum of all credits attempted. Note that notations of W – withdrawal – or TR – transfer – are not included in any GPA calculation.
GPA = sum of (grade point values x course credits attempted)/sum of course credits attempted
= sum of grade points/sum of course credits attempted
Here is a hypothetical example of one student's fall and winter semesters
John’s Fall Grades
| Course | Grade | Grade Point Value | Credits | Total Grade Points |
| ENGL 102 | C | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| SOCI 100 | C+ | 2.3 | 3 | 6.9 |
| HIST 260 | B- | 2.7 | 3 | 8.1 |
| FREN 111 | F | 0 | 3 | 0.0 |
| PSYC 104 | W | - | - | - |
| 12 credits total | 21 total grade points |
Total Grade Points = 21 total grade points divided by 12 credits = 1.75 GPA (the Registrar’s Office does not round up or down). John’s fall term GPA is 1.75.
John’s Winter Grades
| Course | Grade | Grade Point Value | Credits | Total Grade Points |
| ENGL 103 | C+ | 2.3 | 3 | 6.9 |
| SOCI 100 | C+ | 2.3 | 3 | 6.9 |
| HIST 261 | F | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| BIOL 101 | B- | 2.7 | 3 | 8.1 |
| PSYC 10 | C- | 1.7 | 3 | 5.1 |
| 15 credits total | 27 total grade points |
Total Grade Points = 27 total grade points divided by 15 credits = 1.80 GPA. John’s winter term GPA is 1.80.
End-of-term GPA calculation
MacEwan calculates a term grade point average at the end of every fall, winter and spring/summer term. The term GPA is calculated by dividing the sum of grade points achieved in a term by the sum of all credits attempted in that term. A term GPA shows on the transcript.
MacEwan also calculates a cumulative grade point average (CGPA). The CGPA is calculated by dividing the sum of total grade points achieved at MacEwan by the sum of all credits attempted at MacEwan. The CGPA also shows on the transcript.
John’s CGPA is (21 + 27 total grade points) divided by (12 + 15 total credits) equals 1.77 CGPA.
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How does GPA affect Academic Standing?
A student’s academic standing at MacEwan is calculated using a specific formula.
Note: Full details are available in MacEwan’s policy on Academic Standing C2070
- Only pertains to students registered in ministry approved credit programs.
- Reviewed officially at end of winter term
- Deferred decision making for students who are assigned grades of IN, DEF or IP until final grade received.
- After being assigned a standing of Academic Probation, to regain Good Standing, a student must achieve a term G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher.
- Required to Withdraw period is 12 months from the date of the withdrawal.
- Can also be RTW for not completing a pre-requisite course designated as being required for progress in the program.
- Can also be RTW for performance in a clinical, field placement, ensemble, and so on.
- Good standing is 2.00 or better; probation is 1.50-1.99; Required to Withdraw is 0.00-1.49
Calculation of John’s Academic Standing
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
| No Courses | No Courses | 1.75 term GPA | 1.80 GPA |
John will receive a letter at the end of Fall term advising him that he has been placed on academic probation as his GPA is less than 2.00. At the end of winter term, his GPA is still below 2.0 so he will receive another letter advising him he is still on academic probation. John must achieve a GPA of 2.0 in next term or he will be Required to Withdraw.
Questions to think about:
- What are your goals for your GPA? What grades will you need to obtain to get your desired GPA?
- Do you hold a scholarship or loan which requires you to maintain full-time status? If so, be aware that dropping to part time status (fewer than 9 credits in the Fall or Winter term, or fewer than 5 credits in the Spring/Summer term) will affect your funding. If you hold loans, bursaries or scholarships, always consult with a MacEwan financial advisor before dropping to part time status.
- Try projecting what you expect your grade to be in each of your courses, and then see what GPA that will give you. Will you maintain good standing?
GPA Worksheet
| Course | Grade | Credits | Total GradePoints |
| ____ credits total | ___total grade points |
Total Grade Points = ___ total grade points divided by ___ credits = _____ GPA
