Study Calculators

GPA needed to raise yours.

Enter your cumulative GPA and credits, the GPA you want and the credits you will take next. Get the GPA you need on those credits, or see how many credits it would take. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.

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Your numbers

4.0 for most U.S. and Canadian schools. Use your school's own scale.

This assumes every credit counts equally on one scale. Schools that handle repeated courses, plus or minus grades or weighting differently can give a different result, so check your registrar's method.

What you need

Fill the form and press Calculate.

Quick answer

The GPA you need = (target x total credits after next term - current GPA x credits so far) / next-term credits. To raise a 3.20 GPA over 60 credits to 3.30 with 15 more credits you need a 3.70 on those credits.

Worked example

3.20 GPA over 60 credits, target 3.30, 15 credits next term. Total credits after: 75. Grade points needed: 3.30 x 75 = 247.5. Grade points so far: 3.20 x 60 = 192. Needed from next term: 55.5 / 15 = 3.70. Even a perfect 4.0 on 15 credits only lifts you to (192 + 60) / 75 = 3.36. Going to 3.50 would need 4.70, which is impossible on a 4.0 scale, but about 36 credits at 4.0 would get there.

How it works

Needed GPA = (target x (credits + new credits) - current x credits) / new credits. If that is above the top of your scale the target cannot be reached with those credits. Credits needed at the top of the scale: credits x (target - current) / (max - target), rounded up.

Best possible and worst possible results are the cumulative GPA you would have after earning the top of the scale, or zero, on the new credits. This is plain weighted-average arithmetic; no outside source is needed.

FAQ

How do I calculate the GPA I need to reach a target cumulative GPA?

Multiply the target by total credits after next term, subtract your current grade points (GPA x credits so far), and divide by the credits you will take next.

Can I raise my GPA from 3.2 to 3.5 in one semester?

It depends on how many credits you have. With 60 credits done and 15 next, you would need a 4.70, so no. About 36 credits at a 4.0 would do it.

What if the needed GPA is above 4.0?

The target is out of reach with that many credits. The tool shows the best result you can get and the credits needed at the top of the scale.

Does this work for a 5.0 or 4.3 scale?

Yes. Change the top of your GPA scale.

Does retaking a course replace the old grade?

Policies vary by school. This tool treats all credits as new and does not remove old grades.

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