Calculating GPA
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Term GPA is the earned grade point average for a specific semester. Your term grade point average is determined by dividing the number of quality points earned during a semester by the number of credit hours attempted that semester.
Cumulative GPA is the combined grade point average for all semesters. Your cumulative GPA is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned at JMU by the total number of credit hours attempted at JMU.
Quality Points
Each letter grade has a designated point value as outlined below.
A = 4.00
A- = 3.70
B+ = 3.30
B = 3.00
B- = 2.70
C+ = 2.30
C = 2.00
C- = 1.70
D+ = 1.30
D = 1.00
D- = 0.70
F = 0.00
Your earned quality points are determined by multiplying a quality point (determined by the grade) by credit hours attempted.
If a class is a two credit course, the highest possible quality points you may expect to receive (by perfect grade of A) for that class is an 8.00. If you earn an A-, your quality points for the class is 7.400. That is, 2.00 x 3.70 = 7.40. If a class is a three credit course, the highest possible quality points you may receive (by perfect grade of A) would be a 12.00, but if you earn a C+, your earned quality points is 6.90. That is, 3.00 x 2.30 = 6.90.
Credit Hours
The unit of credit on a course is the number of credit hours for which the class is being offered. The number of credit hours you attempt to earn will figure in determining your GPA regardless of whether you pass or fail a class.