Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance based on their grades across different courses. GPA helps summarize overall achievement within an educational institution.
Related terms
Cumulative GPA: Cumulative GPA considers grades from all courses taken over multiple semesters or years, giving an overall measure of academic achievement.
Weighted GPA: Weighted GPAs assign higher values to more challenging courses (e.g., honors or AP classes), reflecting the extra effort and difficulty of these courses.
GPA Scale: The GPA scale is a standardized system that assigns numerical values to letter grades, typically ranging from 0 to 4 (or occasionally 5) in high schools.