Calculating your Grade Point Average (GPA) at Glendale Community College (GCC) involves a straightforward process: you determine the total grade points earned by multiplying the unit value of each course by its corresponding letter grade value, then sum these up and divide by the total number of units attempted.
Understanding GPA Calculation
Your GPA is a numerical representation of your academic performance and is a critical factor for academic standing, scholarships, and transfers. At GCC, the calculation follows a standard method designed to provide a comprehensive average of your grades across all completed courses.
The GPA Formula
The fundamental formula for calculating your GPA is:
GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Units Attempted
To break this down:
- Calculate Grade Points for Each Course: For every course, multiply the number of units (credits) the course is worth by the numerical value assigned to the letter grade you received.
- Sum Total Grade Points: Add up the grade points from all your courses.
- Sum Total Units Attempted: Add up the total units for all courses included in your calculation.
- Divide: Divide the total grade points by the total units attempted.
Standard Grade Point Values
Glendale Community College, like many institutions, assigns specific numerical values to letter grades. These values are crucial for calculating grade points.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point Value |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Note: Grades such as P (Pass), NP (No Pass), W (Withdrawal), I (Incomplete), or CR (Credit) generally do not factor into GPA calculations.
Step-by-Step Calculation Example
Let's walk through an example to illustrate how to calculate your GPA for a semester:
Imagine a student takes the following courses:
- English 101: 3 units, Grade B
- Math 120: 4 units, Grade C
- Art 100: 3 units, Grade A
- PE 105: 1 unit, Grade A
Here's how to calculate the GPA:
-
Determine Grade Points for Each Course:
- English 101: 3 units * 3.0 (for B) = 9.0 Grade Points
- Math 120: 4 units * 2.0 (for C) = 8.0 Grade Points
- Art 100: 3 units * 4.0 (for A) = 12.0 Grade Points
- PE 105: 1 unit * 4.0 (for A) = 4.0 Grade Points
-
Calculate Total Grade Points:
- 9.0 + 8.0 + 12.0 + 4.0 = 33.0 Total Grade Points
-
Calculate Total Units Attempted:
- 3 + 4 + 3 + 1 = 11 Total Units
-
Calculate GPA:
- GPA = 33.0 Total Grade Points / 11 Total Units = 3.0
Therefore, the student's GPA for this semester would be 3.0. This same method applies to cumulative GPA, where you include all attempted units and earned grade points from every course taken at the institution. For more details on academic policies at Glendale Community College, you can visit the official Glendale Community College website.
