In the academic realm, GPA or Grade Point Average is used to determine the level of a student. However, it is important to note that not all GPAs are the same; there are different types, such as Unweighted GPA and Weighted GPA. Two well-known forms, the unweighted GPA and the weighted GPA, offer different perspectives on a student’s scholastic achievements.
In this blog, we are going to explore both the GPAs and will also try to figure out which one of the two is better and how colleges use them.
An Unweighted GPA- What Does It Refer To?
Let’s begin with understanding what does unweighted GPA Mean so that you have a clear idea of the concept. Calculated on a conventional scale of 0.0 to 4.0, an unweighted GPA defines the typical way of assessing academic performance. Check out the table, where we have mentioned the GPA with its equivalent grades.
| Grade | GPA |
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
The scale approach to all the courses is applied evenly without considering the difficulty of a specific degree. If you have a question about how to calculate unweighted GPA, then this table will be beneficial for you.
A Weighted GPA- What Does it Refer To?
A weighted GPA takes the difficulty of the subjects a student chooses into consideration. Because of the difficulty level involved in honors, AP or International Baccalaureate (IB), some additional points are added to it. There are chances that some schools might utitlize a greater scale; however, the normal range of from 0.0 to 5.0.
For example, Honors A is 4.5 and AP/IB A = 5.0. Enrolling in more challenging classes encourages students to push themselves using this technique.
Weighted and Unweighted GPAs- How Are They Different?
Course Difficulty: All courses are treated equally in unweighted GPA, but unweighted GPA offers more points for difficult courses.
Purpose: The purpose is clear, one measures the difficulty of the courses, while the other one judges the overall academic achievement of a child.
Class Rank Effect: In contrast, the weighted GPA can influence a student’s rank depending on the courses they choose; the unweighted GPA affects all students evenly.
While the weighted GPA shows a student’s willingness to tackle academic challenges, the unweighted GPA acts as a basic scholastic marker.
How Do Colleges Use these GPAs?
During the admissions review procedure, colleges and institutions often consider weighted as well as unweighted grade point averages. Admissions officers may review both kinds of GPAs to assess a student’s academic capacity and their readiness for college-level studies.
Which GPA Can be Considered the Best- Weighted or Unweighted?
Each fulfills a different role; neither kind of GPA is decidedly better than the other. While a weighted GPA highlights a student’s preparedness for difficult coursework, an unweighted GPA offers a straightforward assessment of academic achievement.
We hope through this blog, you have been able to learn everything you wanted to learn about what is a weighted and unweighted GPA. For more information, visit learningtoday.net.
