GPA: How To Calculate Grade Point Average and Why You Should Know It

I thought it would be a good idea to disseminate this information to students, especially Grade 12 students, at this time of the year. 

Your grades are awarded a number from 0.0 (FAIL) to 4.0 (A). Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the product of grade points and credit points by the total credit Points. 

This may sound complicated but in fact, it is straight forward if you have your transcript ready. You can either use online calculators or use the formula to work out your GPA. I prefer to use the formula on Excel spreadsheet to calculate my GPA.

Three stand-out reasons why you should know your GPA: 

• if you are looking for a job, it is useful to know your GPA; 
• or if you are applying for a scholarship, many overseas institutions will ask for your GPA;
• or as a new student or continuing student, you should be mindful to stay above a GPA of 2.0, in some cases 2.25 - these are magic numbers! Fall below and you are out, or your parent self-sponsor you.

To be eligible for a Higher Education Contribution Assistant Scheme (HECAS), the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) recommends that you score a minimum of 2.0 or higher. UNITECH has raised this to 2.25.

That means that universities are not places for students scoring a GPA below 2. Questions should be asked as to how they get their foot in if they had. 

If you are an academically bright student, you could qualify for the government's rewarding scheme called the Academic Excellence Scholarship Scheme (AES) with a GPA of 3.6 for first-year students. That means that any grade 12 student with straight As is a candidate for AES) or 3.7 for second to final years.  

If you need assistance, talk to your institutions' students service division. 

An updated version of this post discusses the following GPA topics in details:

• Calculate Grade 12 GPA
• GPA for PNG Universities Selection
• Why you should know the University GPA
• GPA Uni Entry, Scholarship or Work
• TESAS Info for Students
• Grade 12 Guide to TESAS
• How to apply for TESAS Non-school Leavers
• Apply for TESAS after admission

Click here for more information.

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